Of The Past And Eternity by Carole Lehr Johnson

 

Of The Past And Eternity is the first book I have read by Carole Lehr Johnson. I enjoyed the plot very much. The only reason I gave this book 4 stars instead of 5 is the fact that I couldn't connect with the characters. I loved the settings and the descriptions of life in Regency England. I will definitely read more by this author.

All thought's are my own.

From Amazon:

Thrown back in time with the man she despises . . .

At her sister’s urging, Cora Anderson leaves Boston and travels to an old manor in rural England to pursue her dream job while also outrunning the pain of loss. What she finds is a historic property turned luxury-themed resort with an obnoxious resident celebrity.

Hugh Henley is an enigma to Cora. His classic good looks aren’t only what captures her attention, but what many dub his strangest quirk—his complete immersion into Regency life from manners to attire. When they are forced to work together, she wonders if the career opportunity is worth the trouble.

Furthermore, the two of them stumble into the year 1816 and struggle to survive the era and each other. The more time they spend together, the more an undeniable connection develops between them. In the midst of grief, Cora questions her faith in God while Hugh faces struggles of his own. But can his past help heal her future?

About the author:

Carole Lehr Johnson is a veteran travel consultant of more than 30 years and has served at her local

library. Her love of tea and scones, castles and cottages, and all things British has led her to immerse

her writing in the United Kingdom, whether in the genre of historical or contemporary fiction. She is a

member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) as well as the president of her local

chapter. She and her husband live in Louisiana, USA with their goofy cats. Permelia Cottage is her

first novel.

The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone: books 1-6 by David James Warren

 I usually review each book of a series individually, but since I just binge read all six I am doing one review. I feel the story should be read in one long binge. 

Embark on an Unforgettable Time-Travel Saga: The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone - Experience the Thrilling First Two Books in the Epic 6-Book Series!

Cast the First Stone
Join ex-Minneapolis Police Detective Rembrandt Stone as he confronts a haunting case, a chance to alter the past, and the perilous consequences that could unravel everything he holds dear.

Will solving the case that consumes him come at the cost of destroying the life he cherishes?

No Unturned Stone
Ex-detective Rembrandt Stone broke the rule—Don’t Mess with the Past—and returned to a shattered life and an unthinkable reality. With no other choice, Rembrandt must once again break the rule, venturing back in time to rectify past mistakes, salvage what he can, and unravel another brutal mystery along the way. Yet, manipulating time comes at a price as he becomes a target and risks losing himself forever.

Brace yourself for an explosive mind-bending experience in the first two books of The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone!

“Cast the First Stone is a mind-bender of the first order. Fast paced, strong characters, great twists and Rembrandt Stone is a hero I predict will be grabbing readers around the throat for a long time. This is one to pick up because you won’t want to put it down.” Ted Dekker – New York Times bestselling author

 

Hold onto your head—and your heart, because Time doesn't play fair.

Sticks and Stone
In the thrilling third book of The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone series, Rembrandt's actions have only exacerbated the situation, resulting in the destruction of his closest friendship.

Determined to rectify the damage, Rembrandt embarks on one final journey into the past. His mission: to save his friend, restore his own life, and pursue a cunning serial killer who eludes him across time.

When Rembrandt finds himself amidst a perilous Minneapolis blizzard, where two children vanish, he races against time to rescue them, protect his partner, and forge a future he can bear. But will he get it wrong, again?

Set in Stone
In a high-stakes battle against time, Detective Rembrandt Stone finds himself trapped in a web of his own making, desperate to rectify the present by altering the past. With thirty-eight women dead and a serial killer still on the loose after twenty-four years, Rembrandt must rely on clues from his past to navigate the treacherous present.

But the killer is one step ahead, targeting the person Rembrandt cherishes most. Now, he must outsmart time itself to save everyone he loves.

Prepare to hold your breath and be left yearning for more in the heart-pounding third and fourth installments of The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone.

"Masterful writing from three powerhouse storytellers.” -NYT bestselling author Tosca Lee

Failure could cost him everything…

Blood from a Stone
Haunted by his past mistakes, Detective Rembrandt Stone is determined to do whatever it takes to stop a relentless killer he has pursued through multiple timelines. With everything he holds dear at stake, Rembrandt is faced with a final chance to set things right. But if he gets it wrong…

Brace yourself for the most perilous stakes yet in the heart-wrenching and gripping fifth installment of The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone series.

Heart of Stone
Time has outwitted him. Time for him to outwit time. In the gripping conclusion of The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone, Detective Rembrandt Stone finds himself a stranger in his own reflection, lost in an unfamiliar world. Struggling to reclaim his identity, he discovers an unexpected ally from the past who may hold the key to untangling the chaos. Their only hope lies in Rembrandt returning to the past one last time, intercepting his former self to prevent a fatal error.

Can he reconstruct the shattered fragments of a past he himself destroyed, or is there nothing left to salvage?

Brace yourself for an explosive finale in The True Lies of Rembrandt Stone series, where the boundaries of time are pushed to the limit.

Holy what?! DO NOT MISS THIS STORY! David James Warren kills it with this time-travel story that explores regrets and mistakes and the importance of living in the now. -Ronie Kendig, author of the bestselling, award-winning The Tox Files and The Droseran Sagastone is a retired detective with the Minneapolis police Department. He  has a decent life, but also some regrets. He receives the gift of time travel and sets off on an adventure trying to fix his regrets. 

This series demonstrates how each action a person takes has life changing reactions. I love this series and am sorry it is over. 

About the author:

MEET DAVID JAMES WARREN...

Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling, Christy and RITA award–winning author of more than eighty novels whose compelling plots and unforgettable characters have won acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. The mother of four grown children, and married to her real-life hero for over 30 years, she loves travelling and telling stories about life, adventure and faith. For exciting updates on her new releases, previous books, and more, visit her website at www.susanmaywarren.com.

James L. Rubart is 28 years old, but lives trapped inside an older man’s body. He’s the best-selling, Christy Hall of Fame author of ten novels and loves to send readers on mind-bending journeys they’ll remember months after they finish one of his stories. He’s dad to the two most outstanding sons on the planet and lives with his amazing wife on a small lake in eastern Washington. More at www.jameslrubart.com/

David Curtis Warren is making his literary debut in these novels, and he’s never been more excited. He looks forward to creating more riveting stories with Susie and Jim, as well as on his own. He’s grateful for his co-writers, family, and faith, buoying him during the pandemic of 2020, and this writing and publishing process.

A Season Of Harvest (Leah's Garden book 4) by Lauraine Snelling

 

I always enjoy visiting with Lauraine Snelling's characters. Her books are enjoyable and are an excellent way to escape everyday life for a while. Larkspur and her sisters have carved out a good life in the old west and are now settling down to raise families. I highly recommend the Leah's Garden series of books. 

My advice is to make a pitcher of tea and settle into your favorite reading nook for a great book.

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

From Amazon:

Can her dreams for the future--and a budding romance--survive the trouble that comes calling?

Larkspur Nielsen is determined to keep her family homestead running and to fulfill their dream of starting a seed catalog, with or without her siblings' help. With Isaac McTavish back in town, Lark finds herself at odds with her own heart and her determination to shoulder the burden of carrying her responsibilities alone. But Isaac is set on convincing her that he's here to stay and she doesn't have to carry everything by herself.

As a new romance blossoms between Lilac and an old schoolmate and the other Nielsen sisters are busy caring for their families, Lark bears more and more responsibility on the farm. When a long-feared threat returns and Lark approaches the breaking point, the life she has always dreamed of is in danger of disappearing forever.

About the author:

Award-winning and best selling author Lauraine Snelling began living her dream to be a writer with her first published book for young adult readers, Tragedy on the Toutle, in 1982. She has since continued writing more horse books for young girls, adding historical and contemporary fiction and nonfiction for adults and young readers to her repertoire. All told, she has over eighty books published with more than 4 million copies in print.

Shown in her contemporary romances and women’s fiction, a hallmark of Lauraine’s style is writing about real issues of forgiveness, loss, domestic violence, and cancer within a compelling story. Her work has been translated into Norwegian, Danish, and German, and she has won the Romantic Times Career Achievement award for Inspirational Fiction, the Silver Angel Award for An Untamed Land and a Romance Writers of America Golden Heart for Song of Laughter.

As a sought after speaker, Lauraine encourages others to find their gifts and live their lives with humor and joy. Her readers clamor for more books more often, and Lauraine would like to comply ... if only her paintbrushes and easel didn’t call quite so loudly.

Lauraine and her husband, Wayne, have two grown sons, and live in the Tehachapi Mountains with a watchdog Basset named Winston. They love to travel, most especially in their forty-foot motor coach, which they affectionately deem “a work in progress”.

Blazing China by R. F. Whong

 

Blazing China by R. F. Whong. This book takes place during the cultural revolution in China. I did enjoy this book, but some parts made me uncomfortable. I would suggest this for an adult audience. 

Disclaimer by author: Note: Although the author follows the “less is more” principle, readers sensitive to sexual situations may find this book unsuitable, as it contains scenes intended to portray characters' attitudes towards sexual morality.

All thoughts are my own.

From Amazon: For Fans of Amy Tan and Francine Rivers, Blazing China takes you on an extraordinary journey of a family, facing adversity and persecution with unyielding courage.

Live or believe? God or survival?

Ordinary Christians. Extraordinary circumstances. Beliefs under siege outside and conflicts within. Where do these women stand?

Leesan wants to produce heirs to carry on the Lee family name and manage their enormous estates. When she delivers identical twin girls, Ann-Ann and May-May, just before the Cultural Revolution in China, she cannot imagine how much their world is about to change. Now, with her husband dead, their land forfeited to the government, and their lives in jeopardy, Leesan, her mother-in-law, Su-Ann, and her daughters must surrender all that’s left of the past, even as they struggle to hold on to their Christian faith.

As the persecution intensifies, Red Guards murder those caught attending their home church, and the survivors are scattered in different directions. From Beijing to Inner Mongolia, from Hong Kong to California, hardship and the clash between ideologies challenge their faith, love, and loyalty.

Should they choose survival over God?

Note: Although the author follows the “less is more” principle, readers sensitive to sexual situations may find this book unsuitable, as it contains scenes intended to portray characters' attitudes towards sexual morality.

About the author:

From a young age, I cultivated a profound love for reading and writing. I would spend hours at the library, devouring every book on a single shelf before moving on to the next. It seems I have a longing that can’t be satisfied by reality. Immersing myself in literature allows me to escape into worlds where I could become someone graceful, witty, and popular.

Currently, I work for a small biotech company and have published 120+ scientific books and papers. As a latecomer to the world of creative writing, I’ve released several books under different pen names. R. F. Whong is the pen name used for publishing fiction titles, whereas Ruth Wuwong is the chosen name for non-fiction books.

I’m married to my wonderful husband, a retired pastor who encourages me to pursue my dreams. We served together at three different churches from 1987 to 2020. Our adult son works in a nearby city.

For A Lifetime , Timeless book 3 by Gabrielle Meyer

I think I loved For A Lifetime even more than the first two books and that's saying something as they are both on my all time favorite list! I honestly tried to read it slowly, but I had to know what happened. I liked both Grace and Hope and was intrigued by both of their lives. There were some plot twists along the way making me change how I thought it would end several times. Luc and Isaac are both strong men and quite worthy of the girls. It was nice to see Gray and Maggie again! 

I especially loved this quote by Isaac: "'Tis fine to tell Him your frustrations. Prayer is about a relationship with God." He tapped the reins against the backs of his horses to get them to move a little faster.  "Like we're talking now. 'Tis not about what you can do for me, or what I can do for you. We're talking to help each other better understand difficult situations. We talk to get to know one another and to enjoy each other's company. Sometimes we ask for help, but a loving relationship isn't always about what the other person can do for us. 'Tis the same with God. We pray and read the Bible to know Him better, to understand His nature. To take comfort. To be known."

So plan on spending a bit of time to savor this book. And mourn the fact that we have to wait until November for the next one. 

All thoughts are my own.

From Amazon:

Grace and Hope are identical twin sisters born with the ability to time-cross together between 1692 Salem, Massachusetts, and 1912 New York City. As their twenty-fifth birthday approaches, they will have to choose one life to keep and one to leave behind forever--no matter the cost.

In 1692, they live and work in their father's tavern, where they must watch helplessly as the witch trials unfold in their village, threatening everyone. With the help of a handsome childhood friend, they search for the truth behind their mother's mysterious death, risking everything to expose a secret that could save their lives--or be their undoing.

In 1912, Hope dreams of becoming one of the first female pilots in America, and Grace works as an investigative journalist, uncovering corruption and injustice. After their parents' orphanage is threatened by an adversary, they enter a contest to complete a perilous cross-country flight under the guidance of a daring French aviator.

The sisters have already decided which timeline they will choose, but an unthinkable tragedy complicates the future they planned for themselves. As their birthday looms, how will they determine the lives--and loves--that are best for both of them?

"If you enjoy historical Christian romance with a twist of the unusual, I encourage you to try For a Lifetime."--Tracie Peterson, bestselling author

"Unpredictable, clever, and heartfelt, For a Lifetime is a fantastic addition to the Timeless series."--Elizabeth Camden, RITA Award-winning author

About the author:

Gabrielle Meyer lives in central Minnesota on the banks of the upper Mississippi River with her husband and four children. As an employee of the Minnesota Historical Society, she fell in love with the rich history of her state and enjoys writing fictional stories inspired by real people, places, and events. You can learn more about Gabrielle and her books at www.gabriellemeyer.com.

Find Gabrielle on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/AuthorGabrielleMeyer, Pinterest at www.Pinterest.com/gabriellemeyer/, Twitter at www.twitter.com/MeyerGabrielle, Goodreads, and her Website at www.gabriellemeyer.com.

 

Scotland's Melody by Katie Stewart Stone

 

I love a good Regency tale and I would say Scotland's Melody by Katie Stewart Stone has all the elements of a good story. A rebellious young lady, an evil villain and a heroic young man all add up to a grand adventure. The characters were likeable and the settings were great. I gave it 4 stars because as much as I enjoyed it I saw the ending much too soon. I do look forward to reading the next book as I want to read Elsie's story. 

So brew up some tea and curl up for a very enjoyable read!

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

From Amazon:

"A sweet Regency romance, complete with lots of tension and breathtaking adventure."- Readers' Favorite five-star review

Melody Foster has been granted every luxury available, save one: the ability to love whom she chooses. When her father reveals that she is to marry a wild Scot she’s never met, Melody defies him and declares she will never marry without affection. Her choice to marry Richard, a footman in her father’s household, prompts her family to disown her, and she goes to London to risk everything for love. But she is blindsided. Without a penny to her name, her love is worthless to Richard, and he decides to change tactics. Perhaps she could still serve a purpose―after all, her family can’t sit idly by while she is held for ransom . . .

Desperate to escape the man she thought she loved, Melody finds allies to aid her: first, her old governess and then Cameron Findlay, a handsome stranger who is startled by the distraught young woman who catapulted into his life. Cam finds himself sympathetic to the young woman’s plight, so he and his sister agree to take her on as a servant in their household. Cam and Melody are powerfully drawn to each other, but can Melody ever trust her heart when it was so terribly wrong before?

About the author:

Katie Stewart Stone is an Austen enthusiast, a blogger, a journal-writer, and a wife and mother. With her debut work, Coming Home to Bellingham, Katie achieved a life-long goal of finishing and publishing a novel. She writes what she wants to read and rarely reads anything without a good romance. Katie graduated from Brigham Young University in 2012 with a bachelors in Therapeutic Recreation and spent six years working in the non-profit world, while writing on the side. When her beautiful boy was born, she quit her day-job and committed to finishing her first Regency novel. Now she is a stay-at-home-mother with two remarkable children-- both named after Austen characters-- and is continuously working to become a better writer.

How to be saved