COME, SWEET DAY by Julianne Donaldson

 

COME, SWEET DAY by Julianne Donaldson. This is a beautiful compilation of poems that bring light to the dar corners of life. It shows that we are not alone and gives one an upward push when needed. For me, this book would be most enjoyable as a hard copy versus an electronic copy. If you're needing a "pick me up" kind of book, this one's for you. 

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Compiled from years of inspirational words of encouragement to herself on social media—and even bits and pieces of random musings written on scrap paper, this is a unique writer’s journey through a life passage marked by cancer, a bitter divorce, legal battles with her ex-husband, mental illness, and persistent feelings of rejection and abandonment which also rendered her unable to pick up her career as a writer to support herself and her family. Overwhelmed by sadness and almost paralyzed into inaction by despair, she slowly finds her way back to her writer’s toolbox, unpacking the pain and sharing her innermost feelings as if revealing a character’s thoughts in a novel. In her writing she begins to find rays of understanding and acceptance and eventually finds strength from knowing that God’s love and His grace and guidance give greater meaning to our suffering and light the way to hope.

STELLA by McCall Hoyle

STELLA by McCall Hoyle. What a brillantly done book. From the viewpoint of a traumatized dog who is given one last chance. The relationship between Stella and Cloe is beautiful and so incredible. I know a family who is currently hoping to get a dog like Stella, which has made this story mean so much more. What a life-saving service these dogs provide. This is another must read this year.

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Even dogs deserve a second chance.

Ever since she was a puppy, Stella was trained to use her powerful beagle nose to sniff out dangerous chemicals and help her handler keep people safe. But during a routine security inspection, Stella misses the scent of an explosive. The sound of the blast is loud and scary. Unable to go back to work because of her anxiety, Stella is retired as a working dog.

When a young girl named Cloe wants to adopt Stella, the beagle knows this is her last chance to prove her worth. But how? When Stella smells a strange chemical inside Cloe’s body, a scent that surges just before the girl has a seizure, Stella’s nose makes the connection. But how can Stella warn her new family without them thinking she’s having an anxiety attack? How can she convince others that she can be a new kind of service dog and hopefully save Cloe’s life?

Told from Stella’s perspective, this story is about a special dog who must find the courage to overcome her fears in order to help save a young girl with epilepsy.

A CAPTAIN FOR CAROLINE GRAY by Julie Wright

 A CAPTAIN FOR CAROLINE GRAY by Julie Wright. I just love Julie's books. Her characters are so strong and sure on the outside, but inside there is a vulnerability about them. Caroline and Captain Thomas are no different. How they learn to grow and trust each other inspite of each other is wonderful to see. I love seeing a different aspect of this era that is not as often shown. It is a wonderful read that I would recommend to everyone.

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Caroline Gray would rather be daring and intelligent than demure and insipid, which is why she is still unmatched after her third season in London. Her family’s threadbare finances leave Caroline with only one choice to secure her future: sail with the Fishing Fleet to India, where the son of a family friend is willing to consider an engagement to her.

Captain Thomas Scott loves the open sea as much as he despises the three-month, twice-yearly trip his ship makes as he ferries young English girls across the ocean. He can’t imagine what family would allow an innocent young woman to be matched up with the Englishmen  of questionable reputation who work and live in India.

But when Miss Gray boards the HMS Persistence, all of Captain Scott’s plans are upended. Miss Gray’s fiery spirit can’t be contained, and he is shocked and secretly delighted at her boldness—and her beauty. But the rest of his passengers aren’t so kind.

Caroline finds herself an outcast among her peers, but Captain Scott becomes an unlikely ally. They share the same passions and interests, creating an undeniable attraction. But they both know any relationship between them is impossible. After all, Caroline has obligations to fulfill in India.

Caroline has until the end of the voyage to decide if she is going to marry a man she has never met or be brave enough to love a sea captain who just might break her heart.

REAL by Carol Cujec and Peyton Goddard

REAL by Carol Cujec and Peyton Goddard. What an amazing story. Having the story told from the viewpoint of an autistic teenager was amazing. It gives such a depth and insight to someone living with autism that you would be hardpressed to find anywhere else. There is such a stigma and so many things we do not know about children who are autistic and this book opens up that world for people, as well as the good, the bad and the ugly. It causes a lot of reflection in how you interact with others. I would say this is one of the must reads of the year. 

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Charity may have mad math skills and a near-perfect memory, but with a mouth that can't speak and a body that jumps, rocks, and howls unpredictably, most people incorrectly assume she cannot learn. Charity's brain works differently from most people's because of her autism, but she's still funny, determined, and kid. So why do people treat her like a disease or ignore her like she's invisible?

When Charity's parents enroll her in a public junior high school, she faces her greatest fears. Will kids make fun of her? Will her behavior get her kicked out? Will her million thoughts stay locked in her head forever? with the support of teachers and newfound friends, Charity will have to fight to be treated like a real student.

Inspired by a true story, Real speaks to all those who've ever felt they didn't belong and reminds readers that all people are worthy of being included.

GEORGANA'S SECRET by Arlem Hawks

GEORGANA'S SECRET by Arlem Hawks. Wow. What a different way to have a love story. It was so fun to get to see the view from a ship in that time. And to have a woman pose as a cabin boy would be crazy, not only today but especially then. I loved to see how the ship was run and the true kindness in most people's hearts. I loved Lieutenant Peyton taking the cabin boy under his wing and the budding romance that developed in disguise. In the end, it's a perfect match for so many reasons. This would be a great story to kick off the new year with.

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Georgana Woodall dreams of freedom—freedom from her past and freedom from her secret. She has been living on her father’s ship for years, disguised as a cabin boy named “George.” But hiding her true self is becoming more difficult, and she yearns to break free of her life on the sea. She’s already missed too many seasons in London, and her chances of being welcomed back into polite society and finding a suitable husband are slipping away.

Lieutenant Dominic Peyton has no time in his life for love, not with his dedication to His Majesty’s Royal Navy claiming his full attention. Determined to prove himself to his new captain, he strives to be an exemplary officer and leader. When Lieutenant Peyton sees the captain’s cabin boy being harassed by the crew, he takes the boy under his wing.

Georgana quickly loses her heart to Dominic’s compassion and care, but needing to maintain her disguise as a cabin boy, she is convinced nothing can come of her affection.

Georgana’s Secret is about two hearts yearning to find a safe harbor, and possibly, a lasting love.

CHRISTMAS AT ANGELS LANDING by Jennifer Griffith

CHRISTMAS AT ANGELS LANDING by Jennifer Griffith. This was my favorite book in the Sugarplum Series so far. I loved the bidding wars between Sam and Tabitha. I loved how the rare book was found and the meaning behind it. I loved the twist at the end. There was just so much to love about this book. It will be a Christmas season reread for sure. Or if I need a little Christmas in July, it'll be read then too.

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A vintage Christmas novel lost. A romance found.

Personal shopper Tabitha must find a rare vintage Christmas novel for a wealthy client who demands secrecy. Sigh-worthy bookstore owner, Sam, could be key to her success.


An auction unearths a book with deep meaning for Sam, but Tabitha is desperate for it, too. Suddenly, they’re rivals—with incredible chemistry.


Things heat up even more when a matchmaking mayor pairs them at the town’s Hot Cocoa Festival.


Will their rivalry over the book pull them together or drive them apart in this holiday romance?


Christmas at Angels Landing is a bookstore romance in the tradition of Hollywood movies Notting Hill and You’ve Got Mail.


Read book 3 in the Sugarplum Falls Romance series by award-winning clean romance author Jennifer Griffith for an escape as sweet as hot cocoa by a cozy fireplace.

CHRISTMAS AT TURTLEDOVE PLACE by Jennifer Griffith

CHRISTMAS AT TURTLEDOVE PLACE by Jennifer Griffith. I was right! The minor character in the last novel became a main character in this one. I enjoyed this installment much more than the first, CHRISTMAS AT HOLLY BERRY COTTAGE. The forbidden love felt more real this time around. Sophie is such a wonderful aunt that I wished she was mine. Beau is a perfect match for her in every way. Part of me wanted to smack him for making his stupid decision earlier in life. Turtledove Place is beautiful and I felt right at home. Again, I wished it was my Christmas getaway. I highly recommend this lovely Christmas story.

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Lights on a frozen waterfall. A cozy fireplace. A nanny carrying a torch for the single-dad.

Captain Beau Cabot can’t keep a nanny. It isn’t that his kids are bad, it’s that the helpers he hires can’t seem to believe him when he says the only needs they should take care of are the children’s. Forced to fire his lustful childcare worker at the worst moment, Beau can’t leave for his weekend military assignment. His aunt suggests finding a wife, but that won’t save this moment.

With just weeks to go until Christmas, Sophie Hawkins gets some terrible news. Her sister has up and abandoned her family—to become a rock star’s groupie. Worse, Beau is rumored to have lost a few nannies. Who will care for the two cutest kids in the world this holiday? Kids whose lives have been upended?

Despite Sophie’s unwise but unstoppable lifelong crush on her ex-brother-in-law, Beau, Sophie races to Sugarplum Falls. She plans to stay just for one weekend, especially considering the still-smoldering torch she carries for Beau, who is now divorced and finally fair game. Beau knows, however, you don’t fall for the nanny. Especially when she’s your ex-sister-in-law.

Come to Sugarplum Falls for love, Christmas traditions, home, family, and hearth. Nanny romance Christmas at Turtledove Place is book 2 in the Sugarplum Falls Romance series by award-winning clean romance author Jennifer Griffith. Other books in the series includeChristmas at Holly Berry Cottage, and Christmas at Angels Landing. Read all three for a sweet holiday romance treat.