Review ~ Hope Like Wildflowers by Pepper Basham

 

Barbour Books ~ Oct 1, 2024 ~ 320 Pages ~ Paperback

Book 2 of 2: My Heart Belongs in the Blue Ridge

About the Book

Kizzie McAdams spent her childhood longing to see beyond the mountains of home, but when her job as a servant in a landowner’s house results in an unplanned pregnancy, her world tips into uncertainty and heartbreak. Disowned by her father, she seeks comfort in the arms of the man who promises to take care of her, but his support is conditional and inconsistent. She finds acceptance in the home of a nearby family who not only offer Kizzie friendship but point her to a deeper understanding of God’s love.

Despite her change of heart, her status as a social outcast brings with it continued threats and alienation so she flees her past in hopes of starting over in a nearby town. But her new world carries many of the same prejudices as the old. It also brings the unexpected friendship of businessman Noah Lewis, a man who lives with the same desire as Kizzie for helping the marginalized.

Unfortunately, Kizzie and Noah’s attempts to help those in need pit them against Noah’s elder brother, a powerful mill owner who holds control of the family finances. Is Kizzie and Noah’s growing romance strong enough to battle family power, social expectations, and Kizzie’s past to capture their happy ending? And when Kizzie’s first love returns to claim her, which future will she choose?  

Purchase: Barbour Books

     Amazon

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My Review 4.5 STARS

Basham once again shows the strength, determination, and resilience that mountain folk are made of. Kizzie is a young woman dreaming of love and romance, and her journey to discovering just who the greatest Love of her life will be is one fraught with poor choices. Anyone who has been redeemed from such a life will surely feel a deep kinship with Kizzie, and her heartaches and triumphs will resonate deeply. Based on her own family history going back generations, Basham captures the sheer will Kizzie needed to continue on, and how when we surrender to God, he brings beauty from the ashes. 

Hope Like Wildflowers is such a rewarding read, filled with characters who draw out every emotion. I highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of historical fiction, or just good writing! 

I appreciate Barbour Publishing providing me a copy for review purposes. This opinion is my own. No compensation received. 

~Happy Reading~

Meddling with Mistletoe (A Red Door Inn Christmas Romance) by Liz Johnson

 

About the Book

The recipe for romance is simple: sweets, treats, and mistletoe meets

Whitney Garrett is preparing to enter culinary school in the spring, but first she has to sell enough homemade pies at the local Christmas markets to pay her tuition. When her oven breaks, Whitney asks Marie Sloan, proprietor of the Red Door Inn, if she can use the inn's kitchen to keep up with her orders. Marie agrees, with a catch: Whitney has to watch the three Sloan children and cook breakfasts for the Red Door in return.

The inn is busy with holiday guests--including Aretha Franklin Sloan's perpetually single nephew Daniel and Ruby, a businesswoman in town to purchase Aretha's antiques store. Intent on making a Christmas match for the two, Aretha enlists Whitney's help in her schemes. But the deeper Whitney gets, the more she realizes that Ruby is definitely not the right woman for Daniel--and the more she thinks that she just might be his perfect match.

Cuddle up for some warm holiday cheer as New York Times bestselling author Liz Johnson explores the unforeseen consequences of meddling with mistletoe when love is on the line.

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My Review 4 STARS

I had just finished this book when monster tropical storm Helene hit our area of WNC so I apologize to the author and publisher for being late with my review.

I haven’t read all the books in this series but I didn’t feel like I missed out on anything. Whitney and Garrett are engaging characters. The author kept my attention with their merrymaking and snappy dialogue along with a few side character shenanigans.

Meddling with Mistletoe has all the feels and fun and snow that any ardent Christmas novel reader will be sure to enjoy!

I received a copy from the publisher. My opinion is my own. 

~ Happy Reading ~

Rebecca Reviews ~ Meddling with Mistletoe by Liz Johnson

 

Whitney Garrett is preparing to enter culinary school in the spring, but first she has to sell enough homemade pies at the local Christmas markets to pay her tuition. When her oven breaks, Whitney asks Marie Sloan, proprietor of the Red Door Inn, if she can use the inn's kitchen to keep up with her orders. Marie agrees, with a Whitney has to watch the three Sloan children and cook breakfasts for the Red Door in return.The inn is busy with holiday guests--including Aretha Franklin Sloan's perpetually single nephew Daniel and Ruby, a businesswoman in town to purchase Aretha's antiques store. Intent on making a Christmas match for the two, Aretha enlists Whitney's help in her schemes. But the deeper Whitney gets, the more she realizes that Ruby is definitely not the right woman for Daniel--and the more she thinks that she just might be his perfect match. Cuddle up for some warm holiday cheer as New York Times bestselling author Liz Johnson explores the unforeseen consequences of meddling with mistletoe when love is on the line.

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Rebecca’s Review 4.5 stars

"The entirety of their interaction had been a bruised nose and an overflowing pie."

Sugar and spice and everything nice aside, Daniel Franklin's Aunt Aretha has romantic intentions up her sleeve during Daniel's holiday stay at the Red Door Inn; securing his future happiness by playing matchmaker . . . . not with the whimsical, joyful, full of sunshine pie baker taking up residence in the inn's kitchen, but with someone else. And the catch???? Aretha has dangled culinary school tuition assistance in front of Whitney Garrett's (the before mentioned pie baker) nose, much like the mistletoe hanging in the hallway . . . . if Whitney will assist in her scheme.

Can you guess what happens next? Of course you can. The joy is in reading all about it in this delightfully entertaining and romantic holiday story which involves a lot of pie tasting, Christmas lighting, sledding, kissing (under that meddlesome mistletoe) and remembering . . . .that we are never alone, for God sent "Ee-man-ee-al" .. . . kid talk for Emanuel.

P.S. - Plus, a ridiculous turkey hat thrown in for good measure!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.

 
Senior Reviewer, Rebecca Maney

Rebecca is a graduate of Bryan College with a degree in Christian Education, and is currently serving at the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Gastonia, North Carolina as the Director of Children's Ministry. With over 30 years of experience in her field, she has had many opportunities to use her love of reading and writing in creative ways across the generations. A wife, mother of four "nearly" grown children, and grandmother to four beautiful grandchildren, Rebecca has been able to return to her love of reading and more recently reviewing, with a renewed passion for the "beauty of story".

Rebecca also reviews for:

Review ~ Sure About You: a faith-friendly romantic comedy by Jaycee Weaver

 

Purchase:

Amazon

She'd had her future perfectly planned. Now? She's not so sure.

Isley:

Three things I love—quality food, eighties rom coms, and my custom-made planner.

Three things I loathe—internet trolls, traveling, and Walter Paxton.

Anita runs our online news site DFW Daily, and she’s dangling my dream job like the proverbial carrot. Now my weekend getaway to finally meet my online almost-maybe-sort of-boyfriend in LA has become a work trip with the man who irritates me most. So why do I find myself relying on him with every bump in the road (literally and metaphorically)? And why does he smell like a moonlit forest waterfall? Before this trip, my life was all planned out, but now I’m not so sure.

Pax:

Three things I love—stargazing, coffee, and pushing Isley’s buttons.

There’s no point in talking about dislikes. It’s more fun to take things in stride and enjoy all that life has to offer. Do I want Isley for a babysitter on this trip? Of course not. Though needling her is almost as fun as rescuing her. There’s plenty of both when nothing on this road trip goes according to her perfect plans. I’m in the driver’s seat, but she’s the one driving me crazy. Only I’m not so sure it’s in a bad way.

A shorter version of this book previously appeared in The 80s Rom-Com Club collection with books from Betsy St. Amant, Teresa Tysinger, Mikal Dawn, Bell Renshaw, and Jennifer Rodewald featuring contemporary twists on classic 80s movies. This newly expanded edition has been fully rewritten with significant changes and is about 30% longer than its predecessor. As with all of Jaycee's books, you can expect plenty of faith-friendly chemistry, banter, and kisses with no spice.

About the Author

JayceeWeaver.com

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My Review ~ 4 STARS 

Weaver is a go-to author for charming and witty romantic comedies. Sure About You is a must-read for any fan of contemporary rom-com. It kept me highly entertained! 

Isley and Pax are definitely misunderstanding each other in the beginning but as they are forced to spend a few days together, they come to realize their misconceptions about the other and from there the romance is pretty amazing. The faith element isn't overdone by any means, yet brings a calming flow to their sometimes stormy waters. I think the biggest drawback for me was some of the slang and the 80s references. And I guess that says I'm old. LOL 

I received an electronic copy of the book from the author. 

The opinions stated above are entirely my own.

Review ~ Way Back Home (The Spencer Family Book 4)

 

A one-night stand. An unwanted pregnancy. A life-changing experience.
Zane Spencer can't hide from his mistakes anymore, so tail tucked between his legs, he returns home to Shiloh for a fresh start. He'll swallow his pride, go back to working on the farm he never should have left in the first place, and maybe one day he'll deserve to find a sweet girl to marry and raise a family of his own. No one will ever find out that instead of chasing his dreams with his band, he’d spent most of his time away as an Elvis impersonator. But a surprise that will change his life forever awaits him back home.
Lily Puckett lived a careful life. She never meant to follow in her mother’s footsteps. But when her so-called friends celebrate her twenty-first birthday with a trip to the beach, all her inhibitions go out the window. Weeks later, she's faced with an unwanted pregnancy and nowhere to go. A chance meeting with Zane's brother brings Lily face-to-face with the man she never thought she'd see again. When Zane proposes marriage, Lily's offered a life she's never imagined and is too afraid to hope it’s real.
Come along on the journey of Zane and Lily in the final book of the Spencer family series.

Set on a small-town farm in South Carolina, Way Back Home is a story about how God can change a marriage of convenience into a marriage rooted in love once the couple puts their faith in Him.

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My Review ~ 4 STARS!!!

Zane's story has been long anticipated, and I was not disappointed! Boyd doesn't shy away from hard places with Zane and Lily, wringing every last drop of emotion possible. The Spencers are a relatable family and it was good to be back among them, catching up on their lives. If you're a fan of southern women's fiction, then you'll want to give this series a look-see.

As a launch team member, I was provided an electronic copy of the book by the author and not required to post a positive review.