This is a short review of a Christmas book that I read last week.
Book Description (A Ferry Merry Christmas)
Avery and Reed Bond grew up sharing a close-knit relationship, weathering life’s storms side by side. Even so, Avery often finds herself exasperated by her brother’s relentless matchmaking, while Reed can’t resist teasing his sister—after all, isn’t that what siblings do?
Facing their first Christmas without their beloved Grams, the woman who lovingly raised them, Reed and Avery decide to spend the holiday together at Reed’s home. However, their plans take an unexpected turn when the ferry Avery’s traveling on stalls in the middle of Puget Sound, stranding its passengers and leaving Reed waiting a now undetermined length of time for her arrival. What is at first an inconvenience threatens to ruin the plans of a number of commuters, but Avery and Reed soon discover that this unforeseen delay might end up being be a perfectly timed blessing in disguise.
While stuck on the ferry, Avery meets a handsome sailor and witnesses a Christmas miracle that reignites her belief in the holiday spirit. Meanwhile, Reed runs into a coworker who’s also waiting for a family member to arrive, and sparks a surprising and delightful connection.
In this tale of holiday magic, the Bond siblings find themselves taking a chance on love, proving that sometimes the best moments in life come when we least expect them.
Book Review
This holiday novel by Debbie Macomber is a sweet and happy read. A ferry on the way to Seattle breaks down in the Puget Sound. As the hours stretch on, the personal stories of some of the people on the ferry, and some of the people waiting for them, are shown to us. There are estrangements–a husband and wife who are separated, and sisters who haven’t spoken for years.. There are also some sweet, clean romances, both on and off the ferry..
I did not feel transported to the Christmas season, however, Besides the occasional talk about Santa and holiday plans, this novel could have been set anytime. That being said, it’s a lovely, uncomplicated comfort story, perfect for the holiday season or anytime. If you’re looking for a challenging read, this is not it, but if you’re looking for comfort and uncomplicated romance, it’s right here.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
Emily’s heart soars as the stone cottage on the cliff comes into view – it is just as she remembered. As she pushes open the weather-beaten door, she wonders if returning to this place will be a chance to start again…
Heartbroken and searching for a new beginning, Emily is shocked to learn she has inherited her great-aunt Violet’s cottage. She remembers summers spent running through its rose garden, but she hasn’t seen her great-aunt in years… So why did she leave her Clifftop Cottage?
Deciding this is the fresh start she needs, Emily travels to the seaside village of Dovecote. Not long after she arrives, she bumps into her childhood love, Will. As he runs his hand through his chestnut-brown hair, she can’t help but think of what happened between them all those years ago…
When Will offers to help redecorate the cottage, Emily is unsure. He broke her heart once before; could he do it again? But she is soon distracted when she finds a leather diary dating back to the Second World War hidden inside an old desk. Turning the pages, she discovers a wartime romance she knew nothing about. Why did Violet keep this secret?
As Emily and Will grow closer while investigating her family history, she wonders if Dovecote could be the place she finally calls home. But can she trust Will to help her uncover a long-buried family secret? And, if she does, will this forgotten diary mend her broken heart, and give her the happy ending she’s looking for?
BOOK REVIEW
Right after enduring a breakup, Emily arrives at her great-aunt’s cottage in Dovecote, which to her surprise, she has inherited. When she finds Violet’s diary, however, everything starts to make sense.
The descriptions of the horror, loss, and heartache of the London Bltz during WWII are well done. The weaving together of the two timelines works well and makes sense. The descriptions of Clifftop Cottage completely bring it alive for the reader, and I could imagine myself there. The present-day romance between Emily and Will, however, is a bit predictable.
The secret being kept by Violet in the 1940s is one with which Emily can identify, and their stories meld together pretty well. Sometimes dual-timeline books do not work, especially if one of the timelines is in the present day, but in this case the present-day inclusion makes sense, as Emily and Violet share much in common.
The novel has LGBTQ+ main characters, but the publisher’s book description does not mention that. It is made clear, however, early in the book. Fans of WWII and LGBTQ+ fiction may enjoy this novel.
Although this is the second book in the Dovecote Cottages series, it can be read as a standalone.
My rating is 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 on sites with no half-star option.
Thank you to Bookouture for a spot on the book tour and the free copy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Laura writes uplifting escapist women’s fiction with heart and a dash of humour. She was born in Ireland and spent parts of her childhood in France and South Africa. Laura now lives in the south-west of England, where she works in Financial Services, and is locked in a constant battle against her ever-growing to-be-read pile.
I’m starting a new, hopefully monthly, Blogging the Classics feature. To get started, I am going with the beloved Pride and Prejudice. It has been a long time since I read it, so I listened to it again on audio. I included a book description from Amazon, although I’m sure most or all of you won’t need it.
BOOK SUMMARY
Love is in the air when five sisters discover that a wealthy and eligible bachelor is suddenly within reach. But it is his friend, the haughty Mr. Darcy, who becomes smitten. Unfortunately for him, the object of his affection is not so easily swayed.
One of the most popular characters in English literature, Elizabeth Bennet is intelligent, witty, well-spoken, and ahead of her time. If the terrible rumors about Mr. Darcy are true, he doesn’t stand a chance. Yet not all gossip is to be believed when marriage, money, and reputations are on the line. Will Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy circumvent her haste, his ego, and society’s expectations to find love?
Written more than two centuries ago, Jane Austen’s enduring story of manners, family, and love continues to delight new generations of readers.
BOOK REVIEW
How does one review a beloved classic? I will do as I usually do and share my impressions. For a book as established and well-loved as this one, I can’t provide any new perspectives, so I will just talk about the aspects that I found the most interesting.
First, Mrs. Bennet is a piece of work! How she produced Jane and Elizabeth, I have no idea. Trying to push Elizabeth off on the annoying Mr. Collins was laughable. However, at that time, people sold their daughters off for their own interests quite regularly. The girls’ father, Mr. Bennet, seems, for most of the book, completely unworried about what happens to them in the future, so that might explain Mrs. Bennet’s over-the-top actions in trying to get her daughters married. I love Mr Bennet’s sense of humor, but appreciated his acknowledgement after the Lydia incident that he needed to be more involved in his family. Perhaps this might have strengthened the relationship of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet, who do not seem to have anything in common but their daughters.
Jane Bennet is beautiful and seems to be faultless, almost too perfect in every way. However, I believe she and Elizabeth learn lessons from each other. Elizabeth learns to withhold judgment, and Jane learns to express her feelings more. Why did Jane Austen give this character her name? My guess would be that since Austen published anonymously, giving characters her own name was a way of quietly showing herself to the world. Overall, she named six of her characters “Jane” in various works. It’s an interesting thing to ponder. None of her works were published under Austen’s name until after her death. Writing for publication by a woman at that time was considered improper and unladylike, so naming the very ladylike and proper Jane Bennet after herself may have been an extremely tongue-in-cheek thing to do. I love it.
The snobbery of the upper classes at the time is on full display. Caroline Bingley is particularly awful, undermining Jane’s possible marriage to Bingley at every turn, especially by keeping them apart. This quote sums Caroline up nicely: “I have an excessive regard for Miss Jane Bennet, she is really a very sweet girl, and I wish with all my heart she were well settled. But with such a father and mother, and such low connections, I am afraid there is no chance of it.”
Then there is Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who actually visits Elizabeth at her home to tell her to refuse Mr. Darcy, should he propose. When Elizabeth says no, she is taken aback by her audacity. “Miss Bennet, do you know who I am? I have not been accustomed to such language as this. Your alliance will be a disgrace; your name will never even be mentioned by any of us…..You are a gentleman’s daughter; but who was your mother? Who are your uncles and aunts? Do not imagine me ignorant of their condition.”
Mr. Collins, the self-important clergyman and heir to the Bennet’s estate, is a great source of comic relief, especially his repeated refusal to accept the fact that Elizabeth has turned down his proposal. The way he grovels to Lady Catherine is pathetic, and he serves as a self-appointed messenger to the Bennets from Catherine in some of his letters. I feel that Lady Catherine is a representative of the worst of the aristocracy and Mr. Collins represents the worst of the sycophants who long to be part of their world, but never are.
Jane Austen herself was the daughter of a clergyman, on the fringes of aristocracy, but not a part of it. This gives her a unique insight into the circumstances of the Bennets. She uses Elizabeth, in my opinion, to speak out against certain aspects of it.
But then Austen gives the aristocracy a break. Jane and Elizabeth both join it, and although Darcy stops talking to Lady Catherine for a time, Elizabeth convinces him to invite her back in. Caroline, so vehemently against the union of Jane and Bingley, comes to accept it, although perhaps not enthusiastically. What is Austen’s message here: I think she found the aristocracy to be very judgmental and condescending, but seems to say that they had a chance, if they were more accepting and less proud, to find real happiness. She also acknowledged through Elizabeth that those not in the aristocracy could be unfairly biased against it.
The character development is interesting. Jane becomes more open with her feelings and possibly a little less trusting. Elizabeth learns to get the whole story before making judgments and conclusions against others. She learns a little humility as well, while still retaining her outgoing, outspoken nature.
Mr. Darcy learns to overcome his pride, and his love for Elizabeth makes him realize that he should not judge others by social status.
Mr. Bennet, as mentioned above, realizes he needs to take his younger daughters firmer in hand, and I believe he regrets his mental absence from the family. He was there, but he wasn’t there. He seems to be changing that by the end of the book.
I believe that the only thing that changes for Mrs. Bennet is that she no longer has to worry about her daughters due to the successful marriages of Elizabeth and Jane, and her husband’s resolve to take more interest in their family. Perhaps this would have changed her character in the future.
I’m not sure Lady Catherine changed that much, but she did learn that not everything is under her control.
Mr. Collins is funnily unchanged. At the end of the book, he is still hilariously self-important, social climbing, and oblivious. He serves as comic relief throughout most of the book. Even some of his crueler statements come off as comedy.
Pride and Prejudice is an informative and eye-opening look at class differences in Regency England. I believe it has remained popular because of Elizabeth’s strong character and refusal to be put down by society, as well as Darcy’s willingness to prioritize love over class.
At this time, I have decided not to put star reviews on the classics on this blog. However, if you think I should, let me know.
Please let me know your perceptions of the characters and themes of Pride and Prejudice in the comments below.
Hi everyone! I’m back from vacation and HOPEFULLY back to posting normally since my retirement. You would think I’d have more time than ever, but retirement has brought its own challenges to my schedule. I’ll provide more of an update after Top Ten Tuesday. The topic is: Top Ten book covers that remind me of Spring. See below.
I love the Spring flowers on the cover. I discovered Heather Webber WAY late in the game. She’s already written over 25 books, but when I read this one, and learned she writes small-town mysteries with a touch of magical realism, I was hooked! Now I seek out her books whenever I can. My review is here.
A really sweet “best friends” romance with a lovely Spring cover. My review is here.
The “Your Words” Poetry Collection by Louise Belanger includes beautiful photos of flowers along with wonderful inspirational poems and story poems that will draw you closer to God. The covers are so captivating! My most recent review is here.
This is historical fiction set in Switzerland during the time of discovery that adding iodine to salt will cure hypothyroidism. My review of the book is here.
A novel about starting over, and about women helping each other through tough times. My review is here.
This is an inspirational “married strangers” romance set in Appalachia in 1910. I love the Spring flowers and birds on the cover. Here is my review on The Historical Novel Society website.
The dress and flowers give this a “springy” feel to me. It’s a fascinating novel about a time when wealthy American families basically traded their daughters for titles and raised social standing. See my review here on The Historical Novel Society website.
Kim Vogel Sawyer is one of my favorite authors of Christian Historical Fiction. This novel is about a Mennonite Women’s organization in 1890s Kansas. The flowers on the cover give it a Spring feel. My review is here.
This Spring cover speaks for itself. It is set in 1930s Appalachia when many families had to relocate for the creation of the Smoky Mountain National Park. My review is here.
This could be a Spring night, and I love the Starling. This is another fantastic small-town book with a touch of magic by Heather Webber. It is set in Starlight, Alabama. My review is here.
UPDATE
I was on vacation in Florida last week visiting my friend Lyric, so I didn’t post at all. I am back in the swing, hopefully. The thing about retirement is I get up whenever I want, putter around, and I often look at the clock, surprised it’s almost dinnertime and wondering where the time has gone! I am working on that! I have missed blogging!
The week prior to my vacation we had a wildfire in the area (Alarka in Bryson City) that consumed around 2000 acres! It was between four and seven miles from my house, but thankfully our brave firefighters got it contained. We had planes coming in from as far away as Montana to help fight the blaze, and God helped too, with a huge rainstorm right before I left. I believe one house was lost, but it could have been a lot worse. No lives were lost. I am thankful.
We got between 3 and 4 inches of snow this weekend. Since we live on a gravel road, we’re basically snowed in, but Doug’s out there snow blowing because we are headed to Johnson City tomorrow to close on our house there! I’ll be so glad when that is finished.
Next week I will review Find Me in the Stars by Jules Larimore, Saving Madonna by Kate Bristow, and possibly other books.
BOOK HAUL
I have really stopped requesting so many books on Netgalley. A lot of books come to me via The Historical Novel Society, such as the three below: The Four Queens of Crime, The Socialite’s Guide to Sleuthing and Secrets, and A Lady Would Know Better. These are unedited pictures of the books next to me on my desk. I changed lamps recently, so the green lamp is the most recent.
I also got a wish granted on Netgalley, which is rare, so I’ll be reading The Crime Brulee Bake Off by Rebecca Connolly.
My Netgalley shelf is down to 16, which is low for me, and some of them aren’t due until May and June. I plan to keep the shelf to less than 10 going forward.
Hi everyone! Below are some mini reviews of two Christmas books: A Christmas Duet by Debbie Macomber and The Christmas Tree Farm by Melody Carlson.
Hailey Morgan had always planned to have a career in music. When her longtime boyfriend Zach let her know three years ago that he didn’t consider her talented enough to succeed, she tearfully let him go, but the doubt that he created has plagued her ever since.. Now he is back and wants to be a part of her life. To make it worse, her mother has invited him to Christmas dinner! Offered an escape to a cabin in a small town in Oregon, Hailey takes advantage of a chance to rekindle her songwriting and possibly start a new life.
This is a sweet, happy story that will transport you to the Christmas season. There are some outcomes that seem a little farfetched, but I was willing to set that aside and soak in the Christmas spirit. This is the kind of story that you can read by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate. Recommend.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
Madison has returned home to her family’s Christmas tree farm, which she co-owns with her sister, Addie, after a fire. She is met with a property in decline and a sister who doesn’t seem to want her there. To make things worse, her old crush is living nearby. Despite Addie’s lack of interest, Madison takes on an ambitious project to save the farm before it is too late.
This is a sweet family Christmas story. The ending is very predictable, but it’s a nice, easy read during the holiday season. Light up the tree, curl up with this one, and soak in the Christmas spirit.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
*This is another review I did for Historical Novels Review, the magazine of The Historical Novel Society.
BOOK DESCRIPTION
It is late autumn of 1798 and Darcy and Elizabeth are married at last and living at Pemberley in love and harmony.
All the impediments to their match have been swept aside; their unpromising first impressions, Darcy’s machinations in having tried to prevent a match between Jane and his friend Bingley, Lady Catherine’s violent objections to a match between Darcy and Elizabeth, Darcy’s own stiffness and reserve even after he had supported Bingley’s suit for Jane’s hand following their return to Netherfield, the disbelief of Elizabeth’s family that she could ever like such a man…
These and all other objections have evaporated like the morning mist. And Lizzy’s whole family are visiting Pemberley for Christmas. What could possibly go wrong?
A letter from the Reverend Wilde, former rector of Longbourn parish, suddenly arrives warning Elizabeth of possible harm to her and her family at the hands of a former resident of Longbourn.
And once the Bennets, Bingleys, Philips, Gardiners and Colonel Fitzwilliam and his friend Lieutenant Colonel Harvey have arrived, unnerving incidents start to build up.
Can Darcy sufficiently protect the household? As the cold of winter sets in, he strives to find a solution, but equally should the visitors leave and return home early to take themselves out of harm’s way? What are the motives of the ill-wisher and can he or she ultimately be found so as to face the proper punishment?
Lizzy and Darcy stand united, their relationship remaining loving and affectionate throughout as they face the threat together. And love is in the air for two other couples during the Christmas celebrations.
BOOK REVIEW
Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice is now Mrs. Darcy in this well-imagined continuation of the classic novel. Elizabeth is just settling into married life when she receives a letter from Reverend Wilde, formerly a rector at Longbourn, warning her of possible danger from Isabella Scargill, a previous acquaintance who had been threatening the Reverend. Wilde thought Isabella, also known as Helen St. Clair, might come to Pemberley to cause trouble. Elizabeth and Darcy prepare for this unwelcome visitor at a time when they are also getting ready for holiday guests. As the preparations ensue, strange things start happening at Pemberley.
Menace at Pemberley is the second in the Elizabeth Bennet series. It can be read as a standalone. It is an enjoyable Christmas story that will please anyone who loves Jane Austen retellings. It is pleasant to read about the life of a married “Lizzy and Fitz,” as they call each other, and the story is well done. The tone of the book is similar to Pride and Prejudice, and the descriptions of life at Pemberley transport you into Jane Austen’s world. Elizabeth’s adjustments to becoming the mistress of the house are interesting and realistic. The mystery includes a missing person and has intriguing twists and turns. The Bennet family are among the Christmas guests, and there are new romances on the horizon. An enjoyable read. Recommended.
I received a free copy of the book via The Historical Novel Society. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own. This review was published in the November issue of Historical Novels Review.
This was a pretty relaxing week. I got to do some reading and since I’m retired now, I forgot what day it was A LOT. Yesterday Doug and I went to the Apple Festival in Ellijay, Georgia with my Cousins Gil and Laurie. I liked it overall, but it could be improved. I got a new bread knife and bought some apples and fried apple pies, but there weren’t very many apple-themed booths, which I would think would be the point of an apple festival. I did have a good time. I bought a Georgia Apple Festival t-shirt from a guy who turned out to be from Fort Worth, TX. So there’s that.
Afterwards, we ate at the Pink Pig in Cherry Log, GA, which was pretty good.
Last week I didn’t post as much as I would have liked, so I’m making up for it this week. Hang on to your hat. I’m posting a bunch of reviews today and tomorrow.
NEW BOOK HAUL
Three Days in June Publisher Blurb: Gail Baines is having a bad day. To start, she loses her job—or quits, depending on whom you ask. Tomorrow her daughter, Debbie, is getting married, and she hasn’t even been invited to the spa day organized by the mother of the groom. Then, Gail’s ex-husband, Max, arrives unannounced on her doorstep, carrying a cat, without a place to stay, and without even a suit. But the true crisis lands when Debbie shares with her parents a secret she has just learned about her husband-to-be. It will not only throw the wedding into question but also stir up Gail and Max’s past.
The Song of the Blue Bottle Tree Publisher Blurb: Genevieve Charbonneau talks to ghosts and has a special relationship with rattlesnakes. In her travels, she’s wandered throughout the South, escaping a mental hospital in Alabama, working for a Louisiana circus, and dancing at a hoochy-kootch in Texas. Now for the first time in a decade, she’s allowed her winding path to bring her to the site of her grandmother’s Arkansas farmhouse, a place hallowed in her memory. She intends only to visit briefly – to pay respects to her buried loved ones and leave. But a chance meeting with a haunted young Vietnam vet reconnects her with the remnants of a family she thought long gone, and their union becomes a catalyst for change and salvation. Written by a naturalist and set on the land where her family roots stretch back two centuries, The Song of the Blue Bottle Tree is a haunting story about letting go and the things we leave behind, the power of names, and the ties that bind. It is both harrowing and triumphant, a visceral Southern debut as otherworldly and beautiful as it is unflinching and wry.
Stone Certainty Publisher Blurb: There are stories about the dilapidated stone circle at Chipping Amesbury, going back centuries. Of people going missing, never to be seen again. Of people found dead inside the circle. Of monsters, and of demons. The villagers may tell the tales with relish to visiting tourists, but a careful observer will notice that there is no transport to the stones, no tours on offer, and the locals stay well away. Alistair Kincaid, the youngest-ever bishop of All Souls Hollow, is an expert in Britain’s ancient stone circles. That’s why, when landowner Sir Neville Chumley announces his plans to restore the circle to its ancient glory, he agrees to take part in a documentary about the project. Well – that, plus talented actress Diana Hunt is on board. Ever since their last encounter, when the pair of them hunted ghosts and solved a murder, the tabloids have dubbed them the Holy Terrors, and Alistair can’t wait to see her again. But soon after filming begins, Alistair and Diana are plunged into a terrifying mystery. For the repositioning of the final stone unleashes a series of blood-chilling events that threaten to make them both believe in demons – if, that is, they make it out of the stone circle alive.
Question of the Day: What did you do for fun last week?
“I’ll be waitin’ fer ye on the other side, my hand outstretched, till ye reach fer me when yer earthly time is done. Then our clasp shall ne’er be broken again…”
Sometimes love can be so strong that it ruptures the confines of a single lifetime, extending into those beyond. This is what Caitlyn Hegarty, an American schoolteacher, learns on her trip to Scotland where she soon becomes entangled in the tragic history of a pair of 17th-century lovers. Standing before the dungeon at Undlay Castle, she relives the romantic adventures of the roguish thief and poet, Donal Donn, and his doomed passion for Mary McElroy, the spirited daughter of the laird of Undlay. Unable to shake their spell, Caitlyn is drawn into the shadows of the past as she attempts to solve the mystery enshrouding their forbidden love.
Inspired by the true story of Domhnull Donn and Mary Grant, the novel depicts the timeless power of love amidst the lawlessness, superstition, and pageantry of a lost age.
BOOK REVIEW
This is a dual-timeline novel that tells a passionate love story. In 17th-century Scotland, a cattle thief does not normally get the chance to fall in love with the daughter of the laird, but that is what happens between Mary McElroy and Donal Donn. Their instant passion is undeniable after a chance meeting in the forest. Their desire to be together conflicts with the plans of Mary’s father to strengthen his position by placing her in a political marriage. The most likely candidate is a hateful man who will do anything to destroy Donal and take Mary for himself. In 2018, Caitlyn is on a trip to Scotland when she comes across a love story from the past in an unusual way.
I adored the story of Mary and Donal. The writing is so powerful and poetic, and the dialect of the time fits the story perfectly. The verses that Donal pens for Mary while they are apart are beautiful. This love story grabbed me and kept me mesmerized until the end. Mary’s situation demonstrates the lack of choices for women at that time.
I feel that the dual timeline, however, is not needed. The whole 2018 storyline is unnecessary and not fully developed, and Caitlyn’s character is not fleshed out. The story of Mary and Donal stands on its own. It appears Caitlyn’s function was to bring a bit of magical realism to the story, but that could have been done without her.
Although the dual timeline did not work for me, I am still giving this five stars because this was one of the most beautiful romances I have ever read. Rarely am I captivated by a romance, but this one swept me away.
I received a free copy of this book via The Historical Novel Society. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Award winning writer, Catherine Hughes is a first-time author who, from her earliest years, immersed herself in reading. Historical fiction is her genre of choice, and her bookshelves are stocked with selections from ancient, Medieval, and Renaissance Europe as well as those involving New England settlements and pioneer life in America. After double-majoring in English and business management on the undergraduate level, Catherine completed her Master’s degree in British literature at Drew University and then entered the classroom where she has been teaching American, British, and World Literature at the high school level for the last thirty years.
Aside from teaching and reading, Catherine can often be found outdoors, drawing beauty and inspiration from the world of nature. Taking the words of Thoreau to heart, “It is the marriage of the soul with nature that makes the intellect fruitful,” Catherine sets aside time every day to lace up her sneakers and run with her dog in pre-dawn or late afternoon hours on the beaches of Long Island. When her furry companion isn’t busy chasing seagulls or digging up remnants of dead fish, she soaks in the tranquility of the ocean setting, freeing her mind to tap into its deepest recesses where creativity and imagination preside.
In the face of hardship, two women learn how to rise up again under the bright side of the stars in A Certain Kind of Starlight, the next audiobook from USA Today bestselling author Heather Webber, “the queen of magical small-town charm” (Amy E. Reichert)
Everyone knows that Addie Fullbright can’t keep a secret. Yet, twelve years ago, as her best friend lay dying, she entrusted Addie with the biggest secret of all. One so shattering that Addie felt she had to leave her hometown of Starlight, Alabama, to keep from revealing a devastating truth to someone she cares for deeply. Now she’s living a lonely life, keeping everyone at a distance, not only to protect the secret but also her heart from the pain of losing someone else. But when her beloved aunt, the woman who helped raise her, gets a shocking diagnosis and asks her to come back to Starlight to help run the family bakery, Addie knows it’s finally time to go home again.
Tessa Jane Wingrove-Fullbright feels like she’s failing. She’s always been able to see the lighter side of life but lately darkness has descended. Her world is suddenly in shambles after a painful breakup, her favorite aunt’s unexpected health troubles, and because crushing expectations from the Wingrove side of her family are forcing her to keep secrets and make painful choices. When she’s called back to Starlight to help her aunt, she’s barely holding herself together and fears she’ll never find her way back to who she used to be.
Under the bright side of the stars, Addie and Tessa Jane come to see that magic can be found in trusting yourself, that falling apart is simply a chance to rise up again, stronger than ever, and that the heart usually knows the best path through the darkness.
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
Addie and Tessa Jane are half-sisters, but they barely know each other. Kept apart by the manipulations of others, they are both called back to Starlight, Alabama, when their Aunt Bean’s health worsens. Connected by the amazing Starlight field, a field created by a fallen star that glows with its own special auroras in the evening, Tessa Jane and Addie begin to grow closer. But secrets and a manipulative relative who wants the field for himself threaten to drive both of them away from Starlight once again, and for good.
I just love Heather Webber’s books. I adore small-town fiction, and that little touch of magic she throws in just adds that special ingredient to make the story even more fascinating. This one was no exception. The entire cast of characters comes alive, and I felt like a part of this town. As an added treat, a flock of starlings becomes an important character of its own. There are sweet romances and lessons learned throughout the book. Each chapter is headed by baking tips from Aunt Bean, who owns the town bakery. This is a story filled with heartache and disappointment, but also love. It is a lesson about family, and what makes a real family. It is a lesson about people, and how some can surprise, and others disappoint and even harm, whether they are related to you or not. I loved every bit of this magical story, and I can’t wait to read her next one.
The audiobook narrators, Hallie Ricardo and Stephanie Willis, did a great job of conveying all the emotions and portraying the varied characters in this special town.
A Certain Kind of Starlight will be released on July 23, 2024.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Heather Webber (aka Heather Blake) is the author of more than twenty-five novels and has been twice nominated for an Agatha Award. She loves to read, drink too much coffee and tea, birdwatch, crochet, and bake. She currently lives near Cincinnati, Ohio, and is hard at work on her next book. She can be found online at www.heatherwebber.com and www.heatherblakebooks.com.
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