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parklandmom's reviews
772 reviews
With This Ring by Amy Clipston
3.0
Completed: Jan. 05/25
Format: digital advanced reader copy
Challenge Prompt: CNL's #23 of 50 - "That has a second-chance romance"
Book #04 of 2024: My review is a mixed bag. For the two-thirds of the novel, I struggled to get into this storyline. It came across as very juvenile. The last third was significantly better and saved this novel from possibly being a DNF. I wish we knew more about Hudson earlier in the book to understand him more.
The main female and male characters, Dakota and Hudson, are rather immature for two adults in their late twenties. I wanted to put them both on naughty chairs in the corner until they grew up! Hudson is completely aggravating and controlling. Dakota won't ask anyone for help or consider any input. Trouble, the cat, has his life together better than either of them.
Once Hudson completely spectacularly flubs up and Dakota has to eat crow and reach out, the storyline picks up greatly. Hudson's aunt, sister, and Dakota call him out. Dakota faces a rallying team of people to tell her like it is. It is frustrating that such horrible communication and lack of self-awareness can occur amongst adults but let this story be a sign to LISTEN and NOT ASSUME.
I think another point of confusion for me is that I enjoyed this author's previous novel so much. It was clear she had such passion for the subject matter. I didn't feel that with this story.
*** My thanks to the publisher, Thomas Nelson, and to Net Galley for a complimentary advanced copy of this novel. My review is voluntary and in my own words.
Format: digital advanced reader copy
Challenge Prompt: CNL's #23 of 50 - "That has a second-chance romance"
Book #04 of 2024: My review is a mixed bag. For the two-thirds of the novel, I struggled to get into this storyline. It came across as very juvenile. The last third was significantly better and saved this novel from possibly being a DNF. I wish we knew more about Hudson earlier in the book to understand him more.
The main female and male characters, Dakota and Hudson, are rather immature for two adults in their late twenties. I wanted to put them both on naughty chairs in the corner until they grew up! Hudson is completely aggravating and controlling. Dakota won't ask anyone for help or consider any input. Trouble, the cat, has his life together better than either of them.
Once Hudson completely spectacularly flubs up and Dakota has to eat crow and reach out, the storyline picks up greatly. Hudson's aunt, sister, and Dakota call him out. Dakota faces a rallying team of people to tell her like it is. It is frustrating that such horrible communication and lack of self-awareness can occur amongst adults but let this story be a sign to LISTEN and NOT ASSUME.
I think another point of confusion for me is that I enjoyed this author's previous novel so much. It was clear she had such passion for the subject matter. I didn't feel that with this story.
*** My thanks to the publisher, Thomas Nelson, and to Net Galley for a complimentary advanced copy of this novel. My review is voluntary and in my own words.
What Momma Left Behind by Cindy K. Sproles
5.0
Finished: Jan. 04/25
Format: audiobook from Chirp
Narrator: Erica Sullivan (Ahhhhhhmazing!)
Challenge Prompt: EOW's *anytime in 2024* option for "book set during a time in history with an epidemic"
Book #03 of 2024: Cindy K. Sproles is a new-to-me author and... WOW!!! This is a fantastic novel and Worie is now a top favourite book heroine for me. She's 17, feisty, compassionate, strong, brave, and possesses a heart bigger than the Appalachian Mountains she lives in. She won me over immediately.
I can't even imagine how awful it must have been to go from living in the Appalachians, free of much of what ailed the general public in "civil" society, to having epidemics rain down and killing off your loved ones.
The novel opens with Worie burying her mother and acknowledging that she had become an orphan. Her entire area already had many orphaned children and the numbers are growing. She lovingly takes them in as a 17 year old and loves them fiercely from the get-go, regardless of her own grief.
Worie's two brothers consist of one caught up in alcohol and one that is a greedy, heartless sociopath. Yet this spitfire fights on with her new family. After a couple kids were taken from her, and one brother takes the house for himself, her priority is finding those kids. Help comes in the form of longtime family friends, who were formerly slaves, and a young pastor. One of her brothers comes to find purpose and identity through their struggles. As more secrets unfold, Worie battles with her patience and temper but God does amazing things in her life despite her circumstances. His plan unfolds to something that is just truly heartwarming to the core.
This novel had me smiling and chuckling in parts and eyes full of tears in others. While I experienced anger and disappointment during the rough times, I also wanted to stand up, applaud, and cheer myself hoarse amidst their triumphs. A novel that can draw out a gamut of emotions is an author I will read again and again.
I knew this would be a 5-star novel within the first hour or two of listening to this audiobook. Erica Sullivan gives a powerful performance as Narrator and if I knew her in person, she'd forever be Worie Dressar to me!
Format: audiobook from Chirp
Narrator: Erica Sullivan (Ahhhhhhmazing!)
Challenge Prompt: EOW's *anytime in 2024* option for "book set during a time in history with an epidemic"
Book #03 of 2024: Cindy K. Sproles is a new-to-me author and... WOW!!! This is a fantastic novel and Worie is now a top favourite book heroine for me. She's 17, feisty, compassionate, strong, brave, and possesses a heart bigger than the Appalachian Mountains she lives in. She won me over immediately.
I can't even imagine how awful it must have been to go from living in the Appalachians, free of much of what ailed the general public in "civil" society, to having epidemics rain down and killing off your loved ones.
The novel opens with Worie burying her mother and acknowledging that she had become an orphan. Her entire area already had many orphaned children and the numbers are growing. She lovingly takes them in as a 17 year old and loves them fiercely from the get-go, regardless of her own grief.
Worie's two brothers consist of one caught up in alcohol and one that is a greedy, heartless sociopath. Yet this spitfire fights on with her new family. After a couple kids were taken from her, and one brother takes the house for himself, her priority is finding those kids. Help comes in the form of longtime family friends, who were formerly slaves, and a young pastor. One of her brothers comes to find purpose and identity through their struggles. As more secrets unfold, Worie battles with her patience and temper but God does amazing things in her life despite her circumstances. His plan unfolds to something that is just truly heartwarming to the core.
This novel had me smiling and chuckling in parts and eyes full of tears in others. While I experienced anger and disappointment during the rough times, I also wanted to stand up, applaud, and cheer myself hoarse amidst their triumphs. A novel that can draw out a gamut of emotions is an author I will read again and again.
I knew this would be a 5-star novel within the first hour or two of listening to this audiobook. Erica Sullivan gives a powerful performance as Narrator and if I knew her in person, she'd forever be Worie Dressar to me!
Secretly Yours by Valerie Comer
4.0
Completed: Jan. 03rd
Series: Riverbend Romance, #1 (Canadian author)
Format: Kindle e-Book
Challenge Prompt: ARoCF's January prompt, "A CF book that has winter sports in it" -- snowshoeing
Book #02 of 2024: I read books 2 & 3 first. I will complete all of them at some point.
Was this believable for real life? No. But that is okay! Sometimes we need some whimsy and fun! This book is enjoyable in that regard but there is also an important lesson. It's very easy to chain ourselves to our insecurities, failures, responsibilities, etc. and neglect or ignore our freedom in Christ. That reminder alone made this worth the read! BUT, a guy offering up romance and swoon to a woman so selfless doesn't hurt either!
Series: Riverbend Romance, #1 (Canadian author)
Format: Kindle e-Book
Challenge Prompt: ARoCF's January prompt, "A CF book that has winter sports in it" -- snowshoeing
Book #02 of 2024: I read books 2 & 3 first. I will complete all of them at some point.
Was this believable for real life? No. But that is okay! Sometimes we need some whimsy and fun! This book is enjoyable in that regard but there is also an important lesson. It's very easy to chain ourselves to our insecurities, failures, responsibilities, etc. and neglect or ignore our freedom in Christ. That reminder alone made this worth the read! BUT, a guy offering up romance and swoon to a woman so selfless doesn't hurt either!
Appalachian Song by Michelle Shocklee
5.0
Read: January 2025
Format: Audible audiobook
Narrator: Caroline Hewitt (freaking fabulous!)
Challenge Prompt: to be decided
Book #01 of 2025: I don't think someone could read this novel without giving it five stars. Seriously! This was my first Michelle Shocklee novel and I will *not* hesitate to read more in the future. It is a split-time novel predominantly set in the Appalachian Mountains.
As I listened to this novel being so masterfully narrated by Caroline Hewitt, I went on a journey to a place I'd never been, but felt as though I were there. I loved Bertie and her sisters. Bertie reminded me so much of my paternal Grandmother. The situation with the pregnant teen Songbird and her baby, Josh, was sad but became oh-so-beautiful. It so wonderfully illustrated how God can create so much good out of that which seems so bleak. It's all in His timing.
It's hard to put anything into words but this story moved me deeply. It kept me immersed from start to finish despite not feeling well at the time. This novel reminds us how family is about so much more than blood. Helping others and being there for those we love is our mandate for this world. The Lord tells us in scripture that loving others is the second greatest commandment.
I can't recommend this book enough and I strongly encourage listening to the audiobook for the amazing vocal narration. It's like swirling caramel through the smoothest chocolate. Divine!
Format: Audible audiobook
Narrator: Caroline Hewitt (freaking fabulous!)
Challenge Prompt: to be decided
Book #01 of 2025: I don't think someone could read this novel without giving it five stars. Seriously! This was my first Michelle Shocklee novel and I will *not* hesitate to read more in the future. It is a split-time novel predominantly set in the Appalachian Mountains.
As I listened to this novel being so masterfully narrated by Caroline Hewitt, I went on a journey to a place I'd never been, but felt as though I were there. I loved Bertie and her sisters. Bertie reminded me so much of my paternal Grandmother. The situation with the pregnant teen Songbird and her baby, Josh, was sad but became oh-so-beautiful. It so wonderfully illustrated how God can create so much good out of that which seems so bleak. It's all in His timing.
It's hard to put anything into words but this story moved me deeply. It kept me immersed from start to finish despite not feeling well at the time. This novel reminds us how family is about so much more than blood. Helping others and being there for those we love is our mandate for this world. The Lord tells us in scripture that loving others is the second greatest commandment.
I can't recommend this book enough and I strongly encourage listening to the audiobook for the amazing vocal narration. It's like swirling caramel through the smoothest chocolate. Divine!
The Wrecking by Christy Barritt
4.0
Read: December 2024
Format: Kindle e-Book
Book #155 of 2024:
This was a good novella for a short story. Or novella??? My only beef is that I really didn't like the name of the serial murder, The Grim Wrecker. Just The Wrecker or something better would have been more suitable.
I did guess the identify of The Grim Wrecker but that was okay. I often do that. I admired the FMC's bravery and integrity despite all she had been through. Their relationship built pretty naturally and made sense.
It has been a while since I last read Christy Barritt and I have a book slated for 2025's reading plan.
Format: Kindle e-Book
Book #155 of 2024:
This was a good novella for a short story. Or novella??? My only beef is that I really didn't like the name of the serial murder, The Grim Wrecker. Just The Wrecker or something better would have been more suitable.
I did guess the identify of The Grim Wrecker but that was okay. I often do that. I admired the FMC's bravery and integrity despite all she had been through. Their relationship built pretty naturally and made sense.
It has been a while since I last read Christy Barritt and I have a book slated for 2025's reading plan.
For Mercie's Sake by Sharon Srock
4.25
Read: December 2024
Series: The Mercie Series, #1
Format: Kindle e-Book
Book #156 of 2024: This is my final book for 2024 and my 53rd new-to-me author for the year.
I have many Kindle e-Books by Sharon Srock on my Kindle and this is my first one read. This story touched my heart. It brimmed with hope in all circumstances. God is with us in the valleys as much as on the mountain tops.
This is a short novella and I know there are a couple of more books in the series. Personally, I would prefer them all in one book. I do look forward to reading the remainder of this series though.
Series: The Mercie Series, #1
Format: Kindle e-Book
Book #156 of 2024: This is my final book for 2024 and my 53rd new-to-me author for the year.
I have many Kindle e-Books by Sharon Srock on my Kindle and this is my first one read. This story touched my heart. It brimmed with hope in all circumstances. God is with us in the valleys as much as on the mountain tops.
This is a short novella and I know there are a couple of more books in the series. Personally, I would prefer them all in one book. I do look forward to reading the remainder of this series though.
The Translator's Daughter by Jamie Ogle
3.25
Read: December 2024
Format: PDF e-short/novella
Challenge Prompt: CNL's #43 of 50 - "takes place in a country that you've never been to"
Book #138 of 2024:
This just wasn't really my genre of interest. The writing is very good.
Across the Ages by Gabrielle Meyer
4.25
Read: December 2024
Series: Timeless, #4
Format: paperback
Challenge Prompt: CNL's #36 of 50 - "includes pirates"
Book #154 of 2024: [I had originally started this on audiobook while waiting for my paperback to come. I didn't enjoy the narrator. She doesn't sound like a 20 year-old and I've just never been a fan of Rachel Botchan's narrations.]
I was admittedly a little nervous about this one! If I didn't know how great the previous books were, I never would have picked this up. I've never read a book set during pirate times, unless Peter Pan counts! However, I had a reading challenge prompt to fulfill and I knew Gabrielle Meyer would not disappoint!
I did struggle a bit getting into the pirate time period. However, as the novel progressed, it got better and better. I really like Caroline's bravery and gumption. Lewis and Marcus/Maxwell are both strong males. Both time periods have many points of interest.
I admittedly still favour the first two novels in this series but all of them are fantastic. Meyer has a way of taking something fantastical (time-slip/time-crosser) and makes it into something special while giving glory to God for integrity, reliance on God's leading, and choices.
Series: Timeless, #4
Format: paperback
Challenge Prompt: CNL's #36 of 50 - "includes pirates"
Book #154 of 2024: [I had originally started this on audiobook while waiting for my paperback to come. I didn't enjoy the narrator. She doesn't sound like a 20 year-old and I've just never been a fan of Rachel Botchan's narrations.]
I was admittedly a little nervous about this one! If I didn't know how great the previous books were, I never would have picked this up. I've never read a book set during pirate times, unless Peter Pan counts! However, I had a reading challenge prompt to fulfill and I knew Gabrielle Meyer would not disappoint!
I did struggle a bit getting into the pirate time period. However, as the novel progressed, it got better and better. I really like Caroline's bravery and gumption. Lewis and Marcus/Maxwell are both strong males. Both time periods have many points of interest.
I admittedly still favour the first two novels in this series but all of them are fantastic. Meyer has a way of taking something fantastical (time-slip/time-crosser) and makes it into something special while giving glory to God for integrity, reliance on God's leading, and choices.
All Is Bright by Colleen Coble
4.0
Read: December 2024
Series: Hope Beach
Format: audiobook from Everand but I own the 4-in-1 novella collection on Kindle
Narrator: Devon O'Day (not a fan; very blasé)
Book #151 of 2024: This is the last of the 4 Christmas novellas. This one is associated with the Hope Beach series. I enjoyed the story and the community of people. It's nice to see someone above their twenties in a book. It needs to happen more often in the book world.
Series: Hope Beach
Format: audiobook from Everand but I own the 4-in-1 novella collection on Kindle
Narrator: Devon O'Day (not a fan; very blasé)
Book #151 of 2024: This is the last of the 4 Christmas novellas. This one is associated with the Hope Beach series. I enjoyed the story and the community of people. It's nice to see someone above their twenties in a book. It needs to happen more often in the book world.