My Bookshelf: With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin

        Lt. Mellie Blake is looking forward to beginning her training as a flight nurse. She is not looking forward to writing a letter to a man she’s never met—even if it is anonymous and part of a morale-building program. Lt. Tom MacGilliver, an officer stationed in North Africa, welcomes the idea of an anonymous correspondence—he’s been trying to escape his infamous name for years.

        As their letters crisscross the Atlantic, Tom and Mellie develop a unique friendship despite not knowing the other’s true identity. When both are transferred to Algeria, the two are poised to meet face-to-face for the first time. Will they overcome their fears and reveal who they are, or will their future be held hostage by their pasts?

        Lt. Mellie Blake cannot make friends. She simply does not know how. So when she is asked to write a letter to a man she has never met as part of a morale-building project for the men at the front, she is hesitant to accept for fear that her letter will do nothing but disgust the man who receives it. Although she finally agrees to the anonymous letter-writing, she is sure nothing will ever come of it. Surprised when her new pen-pal writes back, Mellie hesitantly accepts his offer of friendship, and a relationship unlike any she has ever known forms from their over-seas correspondence.

        Lt. Tom MacGilliver has plenty of ‘friends’. The only problem is, he cannot let any of them close enough to know who he really is, and his infamous name never fails to drive them away. When he receives Mellie’s letter, he cannot believe he finally has the chance to make a real friend who will not judge him for his name or his past. As their pen-pal friendship grows, Tom cannot help but wonder what it would be like if they were to meet. Will they be able to get past their fears of revealing their true selves, or are they destined to only be anonymous letter friends?

        With Every Letter was the first book I had ever read by Sarah Sundin, and I was thoroughly impressed by her writing. While she created a wonderful plotline that kept me guessing from chapter to chapter, she also filled her novel with interesting facts about life for the soldiers and flight nurses during World War II. Not only did I learn more about World War II—in an enjoyable way—but I felt like I connected with, or at the very least understood, Mellie and Tom as well. Many people, myself included, struggle with making friends, whether because they don’t know how, they are afraid of rejection, or they have something—like Tom’s name—that keeps people from seeing them as they really are. I couldn’t help but sympathize with the two of them, and that drew this book even closer to my heart.

        I also enjoyed Mellie and Tom’s story, aka, how their friendship unfolded, how they helped each other, and how they met—or didn’t. With plenty of inspiring and heartbreaking moments, I give With Every Letter all five stars for being a book that I could relate to, for having characters that changed, and for being a wonderful example of Historical Christian fiction. Because I loved it so much, especially the happily-ever-after ending, I absolutely would recommend this book.

        Happy reading!

You can get your own copy of this amazing novel here.

All credit for the above italicized synopsis goes to Sarah Sundin and her publishers.

It Had to Be You by Susan May Warren

        Eden Christiansen never imagined her role as her younger brother Owen’s cheerleader would keep her on the sidelines of her own life. Sure, it feels good to be needed, but looking after the reckless NHL rookie leaves little time for Eden to focus on her own career. She dreams of making a name for herself as a reporter but is stuck writing obits—and starting to fear she doesn’t have the chops to land a major story. If only someone would step up to mentor Owen…but she knows better than to expect help from team veteran and bad-boy enforcer Jace Jacobsen.

        Jace has built his career on the infamous reputation of his aggressive behavior—on and off the ice. Now, at a crossroads about his future in hockey, that reputation has him trapped. And the guilt-trip he’s getting from Eden Christiansen isn’t making things any easier. But when Owen’s carelessness leads to a career-threatening injury and Eden stumbles onto a story that could be her big break, she and Jace are thrown together…and beginning to wonder if they belong on the same team after all.

        Eden Christiansen has practically devoted her life to taking care of her younger brother Owen, even though that means her career has had to take a backseat. While she loves being needed, she feels as if she’s constantly in the background, in everyone else’s lives as well as her own. With dreams of being a reporter, she hates that she’s still writing obits, but she isn’t sure if she has what it takes to make it in their fast-paced world. As she struggles to balance her life and Owen’s, she longs for someone to help mentor Owen about life in the NHL, but she knows long time professional hockey player Jace Jacobson is the last person who would be willing to lend her a hand.

        Jace has never been able to escape his reputation as the team’s bad-boy player, even though now he wants to. While he loves playing hockey, he wonders if this is all his life is meant to be, and he longs for more. But the guilt-trip Eden is sending him makes him feel like he may not deserve anything better than what he has. When Owen makes a careless mistake that could ruin his career, Jace feels responsible. As he and Eden are thrown together in the midst of the chaos, will they see each other for who they really are, or will they learn they weren’t meant to get along after all?

        It Had to Be You is the second book in Susan May Warren’s Christiansen Family series, and is my favorite so far. I really felt like I could relate to both Eden and Jace, and I thoroughly enjoyed both of their stories. While I personally understand Eden’s feelings of getting lost in the crowd, of not being as important or noticed at the others, I also have personally felt undeserving of forgiveness and compassion like Jace. All of the characters in this novel grew as people and in their walk with the Lord, just as much if not more than the characters in its predecessor—Take a Chance on Me. Because of that, and because of its heartwarming story that really touched me, I give It Had to Be You all five bookmarks.

         Susan May Warren once again did a wonderful job of weaving an unforgettable tale that I would honestly re-read right now if I wasn’t reading the third book in the series. Since I personally related to both of the characters, that immediately bound the book to my heart, but I also loved growing along with Eden and Jace, and I actually closed the book having learned more about myself in the process of reading it. Because of all of the things I have mentioned, and a few things I haven’t for fear of spoiling the book, I would highly recommend this book to absolutely anyone. Its relatable story full of heart-stirring and biblical themes makes it the perfect summer read.

         Happy reading!

All credit for the italicized synopsis goes to Susan May Warren and her publishers.

Take a Chance on Me by Susan May Warren

        Darek Christiansen is almost a dream bachelor—oldest son in the large Christiansen clan, heir to their historic Evergreen Lake resort, and doting father. But he’s also wounded and angry since the tragic death of his wife, Felicity. No woman in Deep Haven dares come near.

        New assistant county attorney Ivy Madison simply doesn’t know any better when she bids on Darek at a charity bachelor auction. Nor does she know that when she crafted a plea bargain three years ago to keep Jensen Atwood out of jail and in Deep Haven fulfilling community service, she was releasing the man responsible for Felicity’s death. All Ivy knows is that the Christiansens feel like the family she’s always longed for. And once she gets past Darek’s tough exterior, she finds a man she could spend the rest of her life with…which scares her almost as much as Darek learning of her involvement in his wife’s case.

        Caught between new love and old grudges, Darek must decide if he can set aside the past for a future with Ivy—a future more and more at risk as an approaching wildfire threatens to wipe out the Christiansen resort and Deep Haven itself. 

        Darek Christiansen hasn’t been able to get past the grief and anger he feels from his wife’s tragic death, even though three years have passed. While he loves being able to spend more time with his son, his life changed irrevocably that day, and he’s not sure if it really was for the best. He’s angry, bitter, and guilty, and when he meets Ivy Madison, she reminds him of all his mistakes he cannot change. Will he let go enough to allow Ivy into his life, and his heart, or will the impending fires—both inside and out—ruin everything for the both of them?

        Ivy Madison has never been a part of a real family, so as she gets to know the Christiansens, she feels like they’re the family she’s been searching for. Through Darek’s tough exterior, she sees someone she could love, and her way into a real family. The only question is, will he ever let her in? And, if he does, what will he think when he learns she was involved in his wife’s case?

        Take a Chance on Me is the first book in Susan May Warren’s Christiansen Family series, and is a wonderful story about faith, family, and forgiveness that will touch your soul and warm your heart. With plenty of comical, gushy, and inspiring moments, it is a novel that is almost impossible to put down, and one I couldn’t help putting on my ‘absolute favorites’ list. It comes highly recommended as a book you will want to read again and again, which makes it fully deserving of all five of the bookshelves I am giving it. Clearly Susan May Warren did an amazing job when she penned this story, and I know all the others in this series will be just as wonderful. (I can say that since I’ve already finished the second book—It Had to Be You—which I will be reviewing on Saturday.)

        Susan May Warren had previously won her spot on my most-favorite-authors list when I read My Foolish Heart, the fourth book in her Deep Haven series, so the quality of Take a Chance on Me didn’t come as a surprise. Although I didn’t read the other Deep Haven novels—I borrowed My Foolish Heart from a friend and it was the first Susan May Warren book I read—I fell in love with her writing style and the way she brings a story to life. She writes stories that are interesting and have plenty of plot twists, but that isn’t the best thing about her writing. She fills her books with faith—whether the character returns to God, or they just strengthen their relationship with him. Each book has characters that change—for the better—by what they go through in the book. Since I very strongly feel that no story is complete if all of the characters remain the same by the time you get to the end, that pleased me the most about her books.

        Anyway, Take a Chance on Me is a great story that will leave you wanting more of the Christiansens, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing since there are three more novels after that, and a fifth that comes out in July. Although I have only read the first two, I can promise both of those are books worth reading and, based on the descriptions, the next three will be as well.

        Happy reading!

All credit for the italicized synopsis goes to Susan May Warren and her publishers.

Currently—June

        Today I am linking up with bloggers Anne from In Residence and Jenna from Gold in Bloom as they do their Currently posts for June.

Currently I’m…

        Going to Chattanooga! I’m going for a 6-day camping trip up in the mountains sometime this month with my entire family—aunts, uncles, and cousins included—for some rest, relaxation, and good family fun. With plans to go hiking, adventuring, and go-karting, I just know this trip will be a blast!

        Wearing my new lace ‘Cinderella’ dress from Lauren Conrad’s Cinderella collection. It is my absolute favorite dress, especially because it looks wonderful with my go-to cowgirl boots and a colorful necklace. Plus, it twirls just enough to make me feel like a princess.

        Sipping sweet tea, as always. Since I’ve mostly sworn off sugar as of last November, it isn’t the same old sugary tea I’m used to, but adding Stevia instead does make it sweet enough for my sweet tooth.

        Reading With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin. I haven’t gotten very far yet but, up to this point, I am fascinated by the storyline. I’ll let you know how it is once I’ve finished it. Hopefully I’ll be able to review it by Tuesday, but I make no promises.

        Playing Phase 10, Clue, and The Settlers of Catan with my family. Those are just a few of our most-played games, but they are some of my favorites. Although I’m not so great at Clue, I can hold my own, and that’s enough for my competitive nature. That and the fact that I sometimes win at the others.

        Happy June!

Must-Have June Releases

Once Upon a Summertime

        Managing the Value Lodge in her hometown was not what Anna Gordon had in mind when she set out in the hospitality industry. But it’s a safe choice for a woman whose childhood was anything but stable. Out of the blue, she gets an once-in-a-lifetime chance to reinvent herself by moving to New York City, where she hopes for a management position at a stylish new boutique hotel. The big city is full of surprises—not the least of which is Sean O’Neil. Her childhood crush has applied for the very same position!

        I have enjoyed many books by Melody Carlson in the past, and I know Once Upon a Summertime will be another wonderful novel. I’m looking forward to reading it; who doesn’t love a book about a girl who follows her dreams, which take her straight to her childhood crush?

A Flying Affair

        Ever since Mittie Humphreys agreed to join dashing barnstorming pilot Ames for a joyride in his airplane, her lifelong love of horses has been surpassed by one thing—a longing for the skies. It seems she’s not the only one—with Charles Lindbergh making his victory tour in the Spirit of St. Louis, aviation fever is spreading across the country. Mittie knows flying is the perfect focus for the soaring ambition and taste for adventure within her, and whenever she can slip away from her duties on her family’s prosperous Kentucky horse farm, she heads to the airfield.

        Considering their shared passion, it’s no surprise that Ames begins to vie for Mittie’s time. But when handsome British aviator Bobby York offers her flying lessons, he is equally surprised—and beguiled—by Mittie’s grit and talent. Driven to succeed, Mittie will do whatever it takes to compete in the Women’s National Air Derby alongside Amelia Earhart. But when Calista “Peach” Gilson, a charming Southern belle, becomes her rival both professionally and in love, Mittie must learn how to navigate her heart’s romantic longings as well as the skies.

        I just love Carla Stewart’s style of writing. It is very unique and is unlike any other authors’ that I read, and yet it makes for some pretty wonderful books. A Flying Affair sounds like something I would devour, so I am anticipating when I will finally have the chance to read it.

Interested? Get your copy here.

Hearts Made Whole

Can she forgive the hurting man who costs her the role she loves?

        After her father’s death, Caroline Taylor has grown confident running the Windmill Point Lighthouse. But in 1865 Michigan, women aren’t supposed to have such roles, so it’s only a matter of time before the lighthouse inspector appoints a new keeper—even though Caroline has nowhere else to go and no other job available to her.

        Ryan Chambers is a Civil War veteran still haunted by the horrors of battle. He’s secured the position of lighthouse keeper mostly for the isolation—the chance to hide from his past is appealing. He’s not expecting the current keeper to be a feisty and beautiful woman who’s angry with him for taking her job and for his inability to properly run the light. When his failings endanger others, he and Caroline realize he’s in no shape to run the lighthouse, but he’s unwilling to let anyone close enough to help. Caroline feels drawn to this wounded soul, but with both of them relying on that single position, can they look past their loss to a future filled with hope…and possibly love?

        I had never read any books by Jody Hedlund until I borrowed Love Unexpected—the book that comes before Hearts Made Whole in her Beacons of Hope series—which made me a firm believer in her ability to write amazing novels. I enjoyed that book so much that I have been eagerly awaiting the release of Hearts Made Whole, but it also helps that it sounds like a great book to read. Although, there is one book I’ve been waiting for a little bit more eagerly. (Just a note, all previously read and reviewed books are linked to my review of them, like Love Unexpected for example.)

You can pick up either Love Unexpected or Hearts Made Whole here.

Married ‘til Monday

With a big anniversary party in the works for his ex-wife’s parents, Ryan has just one weekend to play Abby’s husband…and win back the woman of his dreams.

        Ryan McKinley has tried to move on from his ex-wife, Abby. He’s sulked, he’s gotten angry, and ultimately he bought her dream house. Big mistake. Living alone in the massive two-story has only made him miss her more. When her parents call him out of the blue about their anniversary part in Summer Harbor, Maine, Ryan believes God has dropped a golden opportunity straight in his lap.

        Abby McKinley never exactly told her parents about the divorce. A strained relationship with her dad has culminated in a distant relationship with her parents, but she’s finally succumbed to her mom’s pressure to make the drive for their 35^th anniversary party.

        Then Ryan shows up on her doorstep, looking as handsome as ever. When he insists he’s going to Summer Harbor, with or without her, Abby knows she can’t say no. her parents still think they’re married and now Ryan knows it too. It’s just a one-week road trip with the man who broke her heart. What could possibly go wrong?

        This is the book I’ve been anticipating the most. I completely fell in love with Denise Hunter’s books, and the McKinley family, when I picked up the first three books in her Chapel Springs Romance series—Barefoot Summer, Dancing with Fireflies, and The Wishing Season. Dancing with Fireflies has become one of my favorite books I’ve ever read, so I cannot wait to read this new addition to the series. It sounds amazing, doesn’t it? I mean, every story that starts out with the characters pretending to be married or engaged always ends up being wonderful. And I know Denise Hunter will do a great job of putting her own spin on it. Clearly that’s why I’ve already pre-ordered this one. It was on sale, and still is, for 25% off, so I just had to snatch it up. Be looking out for the review of it one Tuesday next month, because I know I won’t be able to put it down.

Murder Freshly Baked

When delicious baked goods become lethal, a trail of poetry leads to a sweet-toothed killer.

Don’t taste it/ Don’t share it/ Just throw it away/ If you try my bakery pie/ You won’t live to see another day.

        The Amish Artisan Village of Middlebury, Indiana, might be the last place you would ever expect to find a murderer. But Amber has been managing the Village for decades, and there’s nothing she hasn’t seen. Or so she thought.

        When poetic notes begin appearing around the bakery, warning that some of the pies have been poisoned, Amber is as confused as she is concerned. Who poisons pies? And more to the point, who leaves poems of warning after they’ve done it? When Amber decides to track down the sweet-toothed saboteur, she enlists Hannah Troyer for another round of Amish-style detective work.

        Can Amber and Hannah help the police before the Poison Poet strikes? Both women will need to draw on their faith to preserve the peaceful community they’ve built in Middlebury…and to protect the girls who work in the Amish Artisan Village.

        As you know, I just recently finished the two books that precede this one—Murder Simply Brewed and Murder Tightly Knit—not very long ago, and I enjoyed each of them. So it’s no surprise that I’m eagerly anticipating the final release in the series. Murder Freshly Baked sounds like it will live up to the other two novels just by its synopsis, so I know it’s bound to be good. The description makes it sound a bit spine-chilling, doesn’t it?

        Those are the releases I'm most looking forward to this June! I post them in the order of their release date, so if you're looking for a book that comes out in early June, you might try Once Upon a Summertime, A Flying Affair, or Hearts Made Whole which release on the second, or if you want a later release, Married 'til Monday and Murder Freshly Baked release on the ninth. This month I doesn't really have any late-month releases, but I do next month! Only you'll have to wait 'til then to find out what they are!

        Happy reading!

Murder Tightly Knit by Vannetta Chapman

In a town where Amish and Englisch mingle every day, a grisly murder leads to mutual suspicion. Can Amber and Hannah find the killer before fear unravels the community…and before he strikes again?

        Even before she heard of Owen Esch’s death, Hannah Troyer knew something was amiss at The Cat’s Meow yarn shop. The store has been closing at odd times, the ever-dependable Mary isn’t always at her post…and an Englisch man has been loitering around back.

        Now, as leaves of brown, gold, and orange blanket Middlebury, Indiana, Owen lies dead on the Pumpkinvine Trail. The only clues to the murderer’s identity point in two very different directions—one of them leading right to The Cat’s Meow.

        The police call in a federal investigator, but Hannah and village manager Amber Bowman are in no mood to wait for them to figure out what they already know—that no one from the Amish Village killed Owen Esch.

        Amber and Hannah need to work quickly to solve the murder mystery and bring harmony back to the Amish community.

  

        Hannah Troyer’s life was turned upside down six months ago after Ethan Gray’s murder, and now, things are finally getting back to normal. So when she hears of Owen Esch’s gruesome death, she feels her world tilt once again. Who would do such a thing? And why Owen? Most importantly, what does Mary know that she isn’t telling? Can Hannah—and Amber—solve the mystery before the murderer strikes again?

        Murder Tightly Knit is the second book in Vannetta Chapman’s Amish Village Mystery series, and it is one of my favorites. I know, I know, so far there’s only two, but I enjoyed both of them an equal amount, though for different reasons. So they’re both my favorites. I liked Murder Simply Brewed because I couldn’t figure out the culprit until Amber did, and because Amber and Tate had such a sweet story, but I loved Murder Tightly Knit because I did solve the mystery before Amber and Hannah, and I enjoyed reading about Hannah, Jesse, Mary, and Andrew. And Pam was pretty fun too. Of course, all these names mean nothing to you unless you read the book, so go pick it up!

        Anyway, Murder Tightly Knit was another wonderful romance/mystery novel, so Vannetta Chapman gets another round of applause. She pulled this one off just as well as its predecessor, maybe even a little better. It wasn’t a predictable story at all; that’s not why I was able to puzzle it out. Rather, she gave enough hints that, as I thought over them like a real sleuth, I was able to solve the mystery on my own, before Amber and Hannah. Not too much before, however. Because of everything I’ve mentioned, I give Murder Tightly Knit five out of five bookshelves, and the title of highly recommended, especially if you’re in the mood for a good murder mystery.

        Happy reading!

All credit for the itialicized synopsis goes to Vannetta Chapman and her publishers.

Murder Simply Brewed by Vannetta Chapman

When the coffee shop manager is murdered in Middlebury’s Amish Artisan Village, two women from different walks of life must join forces to solve the mystery.

        Spring has arrived in Middlebury, Indiana, and Amber Wright is optimistic about the growing profit from her collection of Amish shops—until she receives a call that Ethan Gray is head. Hurrying over to A Simple Blend, she finds a solitary hole in the front window and the store manager lying next to the espresso machine, dead from an apparent heart attack. All the money is still in his register.

        When Amber hires a young Amish woman, Hannah Troyer, to take over the shop’s duties, the two women become fast friends—as well as amateur sleuths. The police believe Gray’s death is a by-product of vandalism, but Amber and Hannah aren’t convinced.

        Clues that don’t add up, a neighbor who is pulled into the midst of the investigation, a town with secrets to hide, and a blossoming romance—all will combine to push Amber and Hannah into unfamiliar roles in order to reveal answers to the mysteries around them.

         Amber Wright has been the manager of the Amish Artisan Village for more than a decade, and she loves her job. Although it has never been completely smooth sailing, those years have passed fairly uneventfully. Now, as a murderer strikes in their small town of Middlebury, Amber feels as if her life is spinning out of control. Between trying to keep her shops open and running despite multiple accounts of vandalism, making a new friend in her neighbor amid feelings for him that she doesn’t understand, and getting tangled up in Ethan Gray’s murder mystery, Amber is completely overwhelmed. Will she find the answers they need before it’s too late, or will the murderer strike again?

         Murder Simply Brewed was a completely thrilling murder mystery that had just enough romance mixed in. I read both this book—the first installment in Vannetta Chapman’s Amish Village Mystery Series—and the second book called Murder Tightly Knit in about three days. Maybe a little less. By the way, I’ll be reviewing that one tomorrow. Anyway, both were wonderful mysteries that kept me guessing, but Murder Simply Brewed was the harder one to figure out. As I read, I tried to puzzle out the mystery, which I am quite fond of doing as I grew up reading books like Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys, but I didn’t know who the culprit was until Amber did. Shocking, right?

         Vannetta Chapman did a wonderful job weaving the mystery into every aspect of her story without making it over the top. While the murderer was obviously deranged, the vandalism and the clues were all realistic, and the murderer did have a viable reason for murder. Don’t worry I don’t agree with him/her in the slightest. My point is only to say it wasn’t a silly reason like Ethan stepped on his/her toe or something. The whole book was thrilling and gave me lots of spine-chilling, cliff-hanger moments that made it a perfect read, which is why I picked up the second one—and finished it—so soon after. Unfortunately for me, the third—Murder Freshly Baked—doesn’t come out until June ninth. I’ll be eagerly awaiting it just the same! All three books are on my Amazon Store, so check them out! Murder Freshly Baked is on sale for pre-order until the ninth!

         Happy reading!

All credit for the italicized synopsis goes to Vannetta Chapman and her publishers.