Shadows Of Swanford Abbey by Julie Klassen

 

Julie Klassen's Shadows Of Swanford Abbey is the perfect book to curl up with on a cold snowy afternoon. Taking Place in s Regency England abandoned cloister remodeled into a Grand hotel full of mysterious corridors, romance, and perhaps a ghost or two. Is anyone who they claim to be? Follow Rebecca and Sir Frederick as they try to solve the mysterious goings-on at Swanford Abbey while resolving their own past. The plot is fast-moving and quite intriguing.  I love the setting and all of the characters are fascinating. Ms. Klassen has once again created a delightful visit to a time long gone.

So brew up a pot of tea and settle in for an enjoyable afternoon.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

From Amazon:

Agatha Christie meets Jane Austen in this atmospheric Regency tale brimming with mystery, intrigue, and romance.

When Miss Rebecca Lane returns to her home village after a few years away, her brother begs for a favor: go to nearby Swanford Abbey and deliver his manuscript to an author staying there who could help him get published. Feeling responsible for her brother's desperate state, she reluctantly agrees.

The medieval monastery turned grand hotel is rumored to be haunted. Once there, Rebecca begins noticing strange things, including a figure in a hooded black gown gliding silently through the abbey's cloisters. For all its renovations and veneer of luxury, the ancient foundations seem to echo with whispers of the past--including her own. For there she encounters Sir Frederick--magistrate, widower, and former neighbor--who long ago broke her heart.

When the famous author is found murdered in the abbey, Sir Frederick begins questioning staff and guests and quickly discovers that several people held grudges against the man, including Miss Lane and her brother. Haunted by a painful betrayal in his past, Sir Frederick searches for answers but is torn between his growing feelings for Rebecca and his pursuit of the truth. For Miss Lane is clearly hiding something. . . .

About the author:

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. She worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her novels have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. She has also won the Minnesota Book Award, the Midwest Book Award, and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award. Julie is a graduate of the University of Illinois. She and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota. Visit www.julieklassen.com and talesfromivyhill.com for more information.

https://smile.amazon.com/Julie-Klassen/e/B001JS6J70?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1640711391&sr=1-1

Life Flight by Lynette Eason

 

A fast-paced romantic page-turner from the mistress of suspense Lynette Eason. Penny is definitely a strong woman and she has found her match in Holt. The story moves along quickly sucking you in, until wow...it's over. I loved the plot and all of the characters. After reading Life Flight I will probably never look at tea the same way again! I loved the theme of Faith in God that is prevalent throughout the book. If you are looking for a fantastic read look no further than Life Flight available  January 4, 2022. [book:Life Flight|58211240]

From Amazon:

"A heart-stopping, breath-stealing masterpiece of romantic suspense!"-- Colleen Coble, USA Today bestselling author

***

EMS helicopter pilot Penny Carlton is used to high-stress situations, but being forced to land on a mountain in a raging storm with a critical patient--and a serial killer on the loose--tests her skills and her nerve to the limit. She survives with FBI Special Agent Holt Satterfield's help. But she's not out of the woods yet.

In the ensuing days, Penny finds herself under attack. And when news reaches Holt that he may not have gotten his man, after all, it will take all he and Penny have to catch a killer--before he catches one of them.

Bestselling and award-winning author Lynette Eason is back with another high-octane tale of close calls, narrow escapes, and the fight to bring a nefarious criminal to justice.

About the author:

Award-winning, best-selling author, Lynette Eason writes for Harlequin's Love Inspired Suspense line and for Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. Her books have hit the Publisher's Weekly, CBA, and ECPA bestseller lists and have won numerous awards such as the prestigious Carol Award, the Selah, the Daphne, the IRCC award and more. Lynette is married, has two children, and lives in Greenville, SC.

Entwined, Knights Of The Brethren Book 2 by Jody Hedlund

 

                                       Entwined, Knights Of The Brethren, Book 2 by                                           Jody Hedlund is a fabulous medieval Tale. I loved the setting being in Norvegia a frozen northern country in which dragons still exist! There are wise men and knights, kings, a queen, and a couple of princesses. Who are the good guys and who is evil? Ms. Hedlund brings to life the story of Arthur's sword in an entirely new story. Add in a few Bible references for a well-balanced story. Lis and Sir Ansgar are a fabulous pair, I love reading about their adventures together! I can not wait for the next book!

So grab a pot of tea and a cozy blanket! This is a fantastic book to read on a cold dreary day!

I was given a copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

Entwined

Jody Hedlund

From Amazon:

During a time when legends were born . . .

ENTWINED

A princess cursed from birth, a loyal knight worthy of being king, and a sword that can determine their destiny.

After growing up on a remote farm, Lis learns she is the rightful heir to the throne of Norvegia. Even as she does her part to thwart a dangerous plot against the king, she resists pursuing her new identity and resigns herself to a simple life helping her elderly father with their farm.

With the king losing his mind, Sir Ansgar, the highest knight in the land, is desperate to save the sovereign he’s sworn to protect. But before Ansgar can uncover what is causing the king’s demise, he finds himself falsely accused of treason and dismissed from court.

In danger of losing his life, Ansgar takes refuge on Lis’s farm. Love soon blossoms between Ansgar and Lis, even as they realize a future together is impossible. Yet they must unite to save the kingdom from ever-growing forces of evil. Are their destinies entwined? Or will they be ripped apart forever?

The real story of Excalibur continues . . .

Knights of Brethren
Book 1: Enamored
Book 2: Entwined

Other YA books by Jody Hedlund:

The Fairest Maidens
Book 1: Beholden
Book 2: Beguiled
Book 3: Besotted

The Lost Princesses
Prequel Novella: Always
Book 1: Evermore
Book 2: Foremost
Book 3: Hereafter

The Noble Knights
Prequel Novella: The Vow
Book 1: An Uncertain Choice
Book 2: A Daring Sacrifice
Book 3: For Love and Honor
Book 4: A Loyal Heart
Book 5: A Worthy Rebel

For a complete list of Jody's novels, visit her Amazon page or website - jodyhedlund.com

About the author:

About Jody Hedlund

Jody Hedlund is the author of over thirty historicals for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Award.

Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. Although Jody prefers to experience daring and dangerous adventures through her characters rather than in real life, she’s learned that a calm existence is simply not meant to be (at least in this phase of her life!).

When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.

As Dawn Breaks by Kate Breslin

 

As Dawn Breaks by Kate Breslin was a fabulous book! Kate does a fabulous job of painting word pictures not only of the gorgeous Scottish countryside but also the harsh landscape of the munitions factories of WWI. She showcases life in a Scottish family home and has researched the cultural foods of the time. I was so intrigued that I made the Scottish tattie Scones and must say they were quite good. Rose/ Tilly and Alex were both honorable people hiding a secret from each other and everyone else. I love the story. So brew up a pot of Scottish breakfast tea to have with scones and jam, then settle in for a fabulous read.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley with no expectations. all thoughts are my own.

From Amazon:

Her daring bid for freedom could be her greatest undoing.

Amid the Great War in 1918 England, munitions worker Rosalind Graham is desperate to escape the arranged marriage being forced on her by her ruthless guardian and instead follow her own course. When the Chilwell factory explodes, killing hundreds of unidentified workers, Rose realizes the world believes she perished in the disaster. Seizing the chance to escape, she risks all and assumes a new identity, taking a supervisory position in Gretna, Scotland, as Miss Tilly Lockhart.

RAF Captain Alex Baird is returning home to Gretna on a secret mission to uncover the saboteur suspected in the Chilwell explosion, as Gretna's factory is likely next. Fearing for his family's safety, he's also haunted by guilt after failing to protect his brother. Alex is surprised to discover a young woman, Miss Lockhart, renting his boyhood room, but the two eventually bond over their mutual affection for his family--until Alex receives orders to surveil her.

Rose squirms beneath Alex's scrutiny while she struggles to gain her workers' respect. But when her deception turns to danger, she and Alex must find a way to put their painful pasts behind them and together try to safeguard the future.

"With her trademark attention to historical detail, Kate Breslin sweeps readers to a Great War home front full of intrigue, suspense, danger, and courage."--JOCELYN GREEN, Christy Award-winning author of Shadows of the White City

"Readers will be captivated by this exquisite blend of historical intrigue and heartfelt romance from one of the finest voices in inspirational fiction."--AMANDA BARRATT, author of My Dearest Dietrich and The White Rose Resists

About the Author:

                                                       

Former bookseller-turned-author Kate Breslin enjoys life in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and family. A writer of travel articles and award-winning poetry, Kate received Christian Retailing's 2015 Best Award for First Time Author and her debut novel, For Such A Time, was shortlisted for both the Christy and RITA awards and received the American Christian Fiction Writer's 2015 Carol Award for Debut Novel. Kate's fourth novel, Far Side of the Sea, released March, 2019. When she's not writing inspirational fiction, Kate enjoys reading or taking long walks in Washington's beautiful woodlands. She also likes traveling to new places, within the U.S. and abroad, having toured Greece, Rome, and much of Western Europe. New destinations make for fresh story ideas. Please visit her at www.katebreslin.com.

I don't know about anyone else, but when reading about different times and cultures, I always google recipes for the different dishes mentioned in a book. In As The Dawn Breaks there were many interesting foods. I decided to try the Scottish Tattie scones, They are delicious and not too difficult to make. Here is a picture of mine served warm with butter and peach jam. I am including a link to the recipe I used. Give them a try, you won't be sorry!

https://scottishscran.com/traditional-scottish-tattie.../

The Conqueror : Constantine's Empire book 1 by Bryan Litfin

 

I loved The Conqueror. The story flowed although sometimes violently. It is a reflection of the times, approximately 150 years before the Dark Ages. this is an epic adventure of love and war and the decision of which god is God. I enjoyed reading about the customs of Rome and how the early Christians had to choose whom to follow. Favia and Rex are fantastic examples of Star-crossed lovers as one is a Christian noblewoman and the other a barbarian warrior of Germanic descent. I highly recommend this book and look forward to reading the next book in this series, Every Knee Shall Bow. I suggest you grab a favorite beverage and curl up for a wonderful tale.
All thoughts are my own.

From Amazon:

It is AD 312. Rome teeters on the brink of war. Constantine's army is on the move. On the Rhine frontier, Brandulf Rex, a pagan Germanic barbarian, joins the Roman army as a spy and special forces operative. Down in Rome, Junia Flavia, the lovely and pious daughter of a nominally Christian senator, finds herself embroiled in anti-Christian politics as she works on behalf of the church.

As armies converge and forces beyond Rex's and Flavia's controls threaten to destroy everything they have worked for, these two people from different worlds will have to work together to bring down the evil Emperor Maxentius. But his villainous plans and devious henchmen are not easily overcome. Will the barbarian warrior and the senator's daughter live to see the Empire bow the knee to Christ? Or will their part in the story of Constantine's rise meet an untimely and brutal end?

Travel back to one of the most pivotal eras in history--a time when devotion to the pagan gods was fading and the Roman Empire was being conquered by the sign of the cross.

About the author:

                                                

Bryan Litfin  is the author of the Chiveis Trilogy, as well as several works of nonfiction, including  Early Christian Martyr Stories,  After Acts, and  Getting to Know the Church Fathers. A former professor of theology at the Moody Bible Institute, Litfin earned his Ph.D. in religious studies from the University of Virginia and his ThM in historical theology from Dallas Theological Seminary. He is currently a writer and editor at Moody Publishers. He and his wife have two adult children and live in Wheaton, Illinois. Learn more at www.bryanlitfin.com. Travel back to one of the most pivotal eras in history--a time when devotion to the pagan gods was fading and the Roman Empire was being conquered by the sign of the cross.

Courting Misfortune by Regina Jennings

 

Regina Jenning's Courting Misfortune is a fun book about a female Pinkerton agent. CalistaYork accepts a case in her hometown with family all over the place. She is trying to earn a spot with the famous Pinkerton detectives. Unfortunately, not only her family but Missionary minded Matthew Cook shows up and wants to reform the wayward Miss york.
I love the humor that shines throughout this book along with faith and family. The plot is engaging and the characters are delightful. So if you want a fun read on a chilly day grab a pot of tea and settle in for an enjoyable day.
I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

From Amazon:

Calista York needs one more successful case as a Pinkerton operative to secure her job. When she's assigned to find the kidnapped daughter of a mob boss, she's sent to the rowdy mining town of Joplin, Missouri, despite having extended family in the area. Will their meddling expose her mission and keep Lila Seaton from being recovered?

When Matthew Cook decided to be a missionary, he never expected to be sent only a short train ride away. While fighting against corruption of all sorts, Matthew hears of a baby raffle being held to raise funds for a children's home. He'll do what he can to stop it, but he also wants to stop the reckless Miss York, whose bad judgment consistently seems to be putting her in harm's way.

Calista doesn't need the handsome pastor interfering with her investigation, and she can't let her disguise slip. Her job and the life of a young lady depend on keeping Matthew in the dark.  

about the  author:

                                                                       

Regina Jennings is the winner of the National Reader's Choice Award and a finalist for the Christy Award, the Golden Quill and the Oklahoma Book of the Year Award. A graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a minor in history, Regina has worked at the Mustang News and at First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She lives outside of Oklahoma City with her husband and four children when not traveling the world.

Visit Regina's website at www.reginajennings.com

A Woman of Words (Jerusalem Road, #3) by Angela Elwell Hunt

 

Beautifully told Biblical fiction about the writing of the Book of Matthew. In Ms. Hunt's book, it is postulated that Mary was the co-author of the book of Matthew. I loved the descriptions of places, customs, and foods of the Time of Christ. It was a fascinating glimpse into the life of Jesus' family and friends in the years after His Crucifixion and Resurrection. pour up your favorite beverage and cuddle up for a fabulous read. I was given a copy of this book with no expectations. All thoughts are my own. From Amazon: Disciple Matthew, a former tax collector, is invited to work with Peter, James, and John in Jerusalem. He dreams of preaching and performing miracles like his fellow apostles, but he finds his dreams postponed because of a request from Yeshua's mother. Well aware of the passing years, Mary asks Matthew to help her record the stories of Yeshua while the eyewitnesses are still alive. Reluctantly, he agrees, though the longer he and Mary work together, the more difficult their task becomes. Not only are they pressured by opposition from friends and foes alike, but Gaius Caesar, better known as Caligula, is determined to raise a statue of himself in the Holy Temple, even if it means killing every man in Israel. As Matthew works to save his people, Mary encourages him to come to terms with issues from his past. When they finally near the completion of their project, Matthew realizes that the job he reluctantly accepted might be his God-given destiny. About the author: About Angela Hunt Christy-Award winner Angela Hunt writes for readers who have learned to expect the unexpected in novels from this versatile author. With over five million copies of her books sold worldwide, she is the best-selling author of more than 150 works ranging from picture books (The Tale of Three Trees) to novels. Now that her two children are grown, Angie and her youth-pastor husband live in Florida with Very Big Dogs (a direct result of watching Sandlot too many times). This affinity for mastiffs has not been without its rewards--one of their dogs was featured on Live with Regis and Kelly as the second-largest canine in America. Their dog received this dubious honor after an all-expenses-paid trip to Manhattan for the dog and the Hunts, complete with VIP air travel and a stretch limo in which they toured New York City. Afterward, the dog gave out paw-tographs at the airport. When she's not home writing, Angie often travels to teach writing workshops at schools and writers' conferences. And to talk about her dogs, of course. Readers may visit her website at www.angelahuntbooks.com.