bonniereads777's reviews
1617 reviews

Richard Brockwell is a careless playboy content to live off of his family's money in London. But it is Christmas season, 1822, and his mother has summoned him. He is to come home for Christmas or his funds will be cut off. Left with no choice, Richard heads for Ivy Hill. Before, during, and after his journey, a dog, a boy, and a beautiful woman threaten to open up his cold heart. Will God do the rest?

I loved this beautiful story of redemption, charity, and second chances. . This wonderful novella will speak to anyone who has struggled with forgiveness and anyone who has longed for a chance to right old wrongs. The characters are well written and memorable, especially Richard, Arabella, and the boy Jamie. And let's not forget Wally!

It was fun to read about and join in Christmas celebrations from 1800's England, and there was even a recipe at the end of the book.

This is actually my first visit to Ivy Hill, but it won't be the last. I plan to go back and catch up on Julie Klassen's "Tales From Ivy Hill" series.

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House via Netgalley. My review is voluntary.

Alaskan Christmas Redemption is a short Christmas novella set in Owl Creek, Alaska. It is the third book in the Home to Owl Creek series.

Braden North has returned to Owl Creek after a lengthy absence. Guilt and a secret he has long harbored have kept him away. Shortly after his arrival, his best friend, Piper Miller, asks him to help save her family's diner, which was started by her late father. Braden's secret has distanced him from Piper for a long time. Will he consent to help her?

This was a nice inspirational Christmas romance. There is a solid theme of forgiveness and redemption. However, I feel the reason for Braden's distancing himself from Piper, his family, and his town was a little weak. There were few plot twists and the ending was predictable. However, it was still a fun Christmas read.

If you enjoy Christmas romances and stories set in Alaska, give this one a try.

I received a free copy of this book from Harlequin via Netgalley. My review is voluntary.

Sage comes to Owl Creek on a strange mission. Her dying mother had made a startling confession. Sage was not her child, but had been stolen from a well to do family in Owl Creek. The North Family owns a chocolate factory and has had huge business successes, but they are still reeling from the kidnapping of their baby girl 25 years ago. They have again posted a reward for her return, this time, larger than ever, and the media has again descended. How will Sage tell them who she is, and will they believe her? And how will she handle her developing feelings for the town sheriff?

This is a nice start to the Return to Owl Creek series. The town of Owl Creek is a lovely tourist town, and the residents are interesting characters that I would like to read about again. Sage's conflict is believable, and the resolution is satisfying.

If you are interested in inspirational stories of families torn apart with a chance to be reunited, you will like this book.

I am really enjoying this dessert cookbook. I wouldn't classify my diet in any particular group. I'm not totally vegan or vegetarian, although I eat many of those types of foods. I don't really follow any named diet. I'm just someone who wants to try and eat a little better. This cookbook gives me treats that use natural ingredients so that when I do snack, it is in a healthier way.

I have just made the almond cranberry granola bars, which were delicious. The chocolate mug cake is next on my list, and then the lemon bars. However, I will be trying lots of recipes in this book.

If you want some recipes for some sweet treats made in a healthier way, you will love this cookbook.

I received a free, temporary digital copy of this cookbook from the publishers via Netgalley. My review is voluntary.

Forever By Your Side by Tracie Peterson is the third book in the Willamette Bride series. It can be read on its own but there are shared characters in all three novels, so reading them in order would be suggested.

Connie has returned to the Reservation where she grew up in the Pacific Northwest. She is accompanied by her best friend Tom. They are there to research Native American family histories and stories for the Bureau of Ethnicity. Connie has another purpose for returning. Her parents have been accused of trying to incite a war between the Indians and the government. Connie is determined to prove their innocence.

Forever by your Side is set in the 1880s and, through Connie's eyes, looks at the treatment of Native Americans after the Trail of Tears. While the horrors of the Trail of Tears have been well publicized, they did not end when the Native Americans arrived on the reservations. In this novel, Tracie Peterson takes a clear and honest look at the abuses and crimes that occurred against Native Americans and were often blessed by the government. Peterson also introduces a real life character, Helen Hunt Jackson, a poet who became an activist for the Indian tribes. Jackson wrote a book called A Century of Dishonor in 1881. Peterson refers to this book in Forever By Your Side.

Although this is primarily a historical fiction novel, it also involves romance, mystery, and crime. If you want to learn more about Native American history while reading well-written historical fiction, this book is for you.

I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House via Netgalley. My review is voluntary.

Lottie has moved to Firhomme, a beautiful Lake District estate, to be the events planner. She is determined to start over after a devastating broken engagement the year before. She begins planning an elegant Christmas wedding for a demanding bride, Keegan. Things are going well until the groom arrives, and Lottie finds she is planning a wedding for her ex-fiancé Connor.

This is a good Christmas romance with a likable main character. The behavior of the ex fiancé, Connor, was so over the top it was slightly unbelievable. The story was pleasant, but predictable. I feel a Christmas novel should transport the reader into the Christmas season, no matter what the time of year, and this book met that expectation.

I received a free copy of this book from the publishers via Netgalley. My review is voluntary.

Madison James and Jonas Quinn, both US Marshals, are assigned to transport two dangerous criminals by plane to a new destination. After the plane crashes, Madison and Jonas must track an escaped murderer in the wilderness and beyond to try and keep him from killing anyone else. At the same time, Madison still doesn't know who killed her late husband. However, clues have been turning up.

This is a fast paced, action-packed Christian thriller with many twists and turns. It was hard to put down and I stayed on the edge of my seat. There are interesting and surprising developments, and the characters are very well written, especially the "villain." There is a hint of romance and a gentle Christian message of the hope God can provide in dark times. It is the first book in the U.S. Marshals series by Lisa Harris, and I can't wait to read the rest.

I received a free copy of this book from Revell via Netgalley. My review is voluntary.