How precious are Your thoughts to me, O LORD ... how vast is the sum of them!

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Review: A Very Bookish Romance

 

I read it! Here is my review of this final collection from A Very Bookish Holiday. You can see my review and add this book on Goodreads here, or you can buy it on Amazon here.


~*~

 

I loved all of these well-written and heart-warming novellas. They were all relatively light on the romance angle but with a focus on what a real relationship should be. They had a cozy feel, mostly set in late winter when the hustle and bustle of Christmas is over and everyone is settling into normal life. (Though a couple of the stories had a longer time frame that included other holidays.)

-Daisy's Heart. I was so curious to see how Charlotte's Web would be used since it's a children's classic and the main characters in that book are animals. It was so loveable! Daisy's little brother, Will, adores that book. Daisy is such a good big sister, and her plight with the family farm had my full sympathy. That's one of my favorite story lines, trying to save the place you love. The other characters in this story are well crafted, too, and the nods to Templeton the rat in one certain person made me grin in satisfaction. I enjoyed seeing characters from Abigayle Claire's story in A Very Bookish Easter and realizing how her three stories for this series tie together.

-A String of Paper Hearts. All the Pride and Prejudice tie-ins were a delight to behold, especially since the characters themselves were so conscious of them. I was amazed at how Sarah Holman made the lead characters, Jeremiah and Pace, so likeable and sympathetic once we understand them, since when these characters appeared in an earlier Bookish Holiday story, they weren't so likeable and aren't typically the kind of characters I enjoy being around much. Bravo, Ms. Holman! The spiritual lessons, as always in her stories, are very impactful.

-Southeaster Lodge. We get two Jane Austen retellings in this collection! Northanger Abbey is one of the more neglected Austen novels when it comes to retellings, so I'm glad this fun novel got its spotlight here. It translated perfectly into this modern-day story. Katy is an endearing young woman with a few lessons yet to learn, and I think it was a genius twist how she went to work at a fancy lodge that contains a hallway that's been mysteriously "under construction" for years. I'm familiar with the area where Southeaster Lodge is fictionally located, so I really enjoyed that aspect as well.

-The Artist of Hearthstone Cottage. I can always expect great historical fiction from Kellyn Roth, and this novella, set in WW2 England, is no exception. I enjoyed how June's story enfolded bit by bit, almost like a mystery; she was definitely a mystery to those around her, like the heroine in her favorite book, The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, though we as readers had a few more insights into her. Speaking of her favorite book, I was thrilled that this comparatively lesser-known classic was used in this collection. It worked really well!

-Lore in Love. This story was so sweet! Little Town on the Prairie is my favorite Little House book, and I thoroughly enjoyed the tie-ins. The story is full of family love, toddlers, delicious food, and inviting traditions. Lore and Mish are relatable and loveable characters, and watching their friendship develop was so much fun.

Friday, January 12, 2024

A Very Bookish Romance

 


The final A Very Bookish Holiday novella collection will release on January 14, 2024! It's available now for a special preorder price of $2.99. Paperbacks will be available on January 15. 




About the Collection

 

Daisy is determined to help her brother thrive,
Jeremiah seeks a second chance with Pace,
Katy longs for adventure and romance,
June finds herself seeking solace at church,
Lore makes a new friend…

…all at Valentine’s Day.

Join Abigayle Claire (inspired by Charlotte’s Web), Sarah Holman (inspired by Pride and Prejudice), J. Grace Pennington (inspired by Northanger Abbey), Kellyn Roth (inspired by The Tenant of Wildfell Hall), and Kate Willis (inspired by Little Town on the Prairie) as they share stories full of hope, faith, and love.

 

Find it HERE on Amazon. 

Add it on Goodreads HERE.

Click HERE to join the Facebook party on release day.

 

My Thoughts

I've read two of the stories so far, and they are the epitome of sweet romance! Not to mention a celebration of bibliophiles, which you can expect in A Very Bookish Holiday collections. I did not author a novella in this collection, unlike the previous three collections, and I'm rather sad that this is the last one. It's a beautiful conclusion to a wonderful set of anthologies. Don't miss it!

Thursday, July 27, 2023

Springtime in Surrey Blog Tour

 

Welcome to the Springtime in Surrey Blog Tour!

 

I’m thrilled to be participating in the blog tour and giveaway for a new novella collection, Springtime in Surrey: A Wild Blue Wonder Press Anthology. I will post my review soon, but for now here is all the information you need to get excited about this collection!


 

The genre is … Christian Women’s Fiction, both Historical and Contemporary

It’s launching … Tuesday, July 25, 2023

Some important dates are …

Blog Tour — Monday, July 24, through Tuesday, July 29

Instagram Tag — July 2023


About the Book

 

This collection of novellas, set in County Surrey, England, features both historical and contemporary stories by new and old authors!

 

Springtime in Surrey contains the following eight novellas:

 

Jesus, I Am Resting by Faith Blum

Elinor Chapman, an orphaned laundry woman, must fight to survive after WWI breaks out. She prays her beau doesn’t die on a foreign battlefield like her father did 14 years ago. She is forced to take on nursing, but her passion for helping other orphans distracts her from this job, leaving her little time for rest. Will she run herself into the ground … or will she learn to rest in Jesus?

 

The Cottage on the Hill by Andrea Renee Cox

During every teatime at her cottage hideaway, Moira struggles to discover hope amongst her lost ballerina dreams. Unsettled by elusive goals of his own, sheep farmer Adrian observes his uncle’s neighbor crying into her tea and wonders why… and what he can do to cheer her up. While facing their regrets, can Moira and Adrian trust that God has a good plan despite crushed dreams and far-off hopes?

 

If I Knew You Were Coming by Bailey Gaines

With her husband off to war and two evacuee children staying in her home, Joan feels duty-bound to contribute to the war effort via her participation in the Women’s Land Army. She is thrilled to learn that her husband has leave. But when the London Blitz ruins her plans to see him, Joan must decide what is most important in her life: her contribution to the war effort or her calling as a mother?

 

Her Heart’s Home by Grace A. Johnson

Forced from her childhood home after her father was killed in action, Meredith Tate is forced to seek employment at the Deepdene Hotel until she discovers the next step. Which most certainly does not include the brooding Captain Trevor Seaton, a guest who always manages to catch her at her worst. Despite his gentle magnetism, Meredith is determined not to fall for a military man—but God may have other plans.

 

The Tussie-Mussie by Katja H. Labonté

Caitrìona is determined to rescue her family from poverty by making a brilliant match. She is on the verge of success when her brother is arrested for a sensational crime. Banished to the country, she meets Ewart, a fearful recluse with a younger sister in need of aid. Ewart and Caitrìona grow together through shared goals—but as mysteries are uncovered and characters tested, what truth will be revealed?

 

The Odd Duck Society by Rachel Leitch

Jessamy Aubertine is too much for her university classmates, too little for her overstressed mum, and nothing in between. Then a mysterious letter signed by Jane Austen brings her back to her family’s fading tea shop and a pair of unlikely comrades. Will they find the letter writer—and perhaps discover themselves along the way? Or will their friendship fade with The Muses?

 

Fear Not Tomorrows by Erika Mathews

Hardworking Margaret Enfield is thrilled with her engagement to her lifelong best friend Lester. When his brother’s sudden illness forces Lester’s prolonged and indefinite absence, every tomorrow feels bleak to Margaret as lonely drudgery overtakes the once-rosy springtime. As she throws herself into her tasks, can she learn to trust her tomorrows with Jesus—one day at a time?

 

Courage to Stay by Kellyn Roth

Rosalind finds herself engaged to Matthias after her former fiancé, his brother, perishes in battle. Determined to forge a connection, she embarks on a risky mission. When Matthias retreats into his own turmoil on a hunting trip, Rosalind disguises herself as a man and follows him to the forest, vowing to fight for their love. Will Matthias summon the courage to stay, or will his fractured mind drive them apart forever?

 

Where to Find It

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C5QG75DK

Website: https://wildbluewonderpress.com/springtime-in-surrey/

 

Add it to your TBR stack on Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/157492074-springtime-in-surrey

Or on Bookbub:

https://www.bookbub.com/books/springtime-in-surrey-a-wild-blue-wonder-press-anthology-by-kellyn-roth-and-rachel-leitch

 

What about this giveaway, though?!

 

The authors of Springtime in Surrey are hosting a huge giveaway with not one but two winners—a US winner and an international winner—over the course of the blog tour!

 

From July 25 to July 31, follow the tour, comment on posts, and subscribe to the authors’ newsletters and blogs. The winners will be announced on August 1 and contacted by email.

 



US Prizes

A print copy of Springtime in Surrey, two bookmarks and a quote sticker, a spring-themed mug, a bookish ornament, a spring-themed candle, an inspirational journal, and tea.

 

International Prizes

An ebook copy of Springtime in Surrey, two bookmarks and a quote sticker, a gift card, an ebook of choice by Erika Mathews, an ebook from the winner’s Amazon wishlist, an exclusive epilogue of The Tussie-Mussie, and a phone wallpaper.

 

Rules

Entrants must be 18+ or have parental permission to enter. Two winners—one US and one international—will be randomly selected at the end of the giveaway and contacted by email. The winners must be comfortable sharing their shipping addresses. Any and all information provided through the giveaway will be used only for the purposes stated.

 

ENTER BELOW:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1956f7e911/?

 

Feel free to check out Wild Blue Wonder Press on Instagram and Facebook, participate in the social media bookish challenge, or browse the other posts on the blog tour using our …

 

Blog Tour Schedule

Monday, July 24th

Kickoff Post at Lilacs & Reveries

Interview with Katja H. Labonté at Sheep Among Wolves

Interview with Faith Blum at Library Lady’s Kid Lit

Launch Announcement at Writing to Inspire

Interview with Rachel Leitch at Words & Wildflowers

Three-Novella Review at Miraculous Homeschool

Tuesday, July 25th (LAUNCH DAY)

Collection Spotlight at Of Blades and Thorns

Collection Spotlight & Single-Novella Review at Review from the Stacks

Collection Review at Emily Yager

Collection Review at The Book Dragon’s Alcove

Collection Review at Story of a Christian Girl

Wednesday, July 26th

Two-Novella Review at H.S. Kylian

Collection Review at Abbigail B.

“Tips from Editing 7 Novellas in a Month,” a Guest Post by Kellyn at Joyfully Natasha

Collection Review at Imperial Scribis

Thursday, July 27th

“Why We Wrote Stories Set in Surrey,” a Guest Post from Kellyn at A Handful of Quietness

Collection Review at Library Lady’s Kid Lit

Collection Spotlight at Kelsey’s Notebook

Single-Novella Review at Vanessa Hall

Interview with Andrea Renee Cox at Story of a Christian Girl

Friday, July 28th

Two-Novella Review at Read Review Rejoice

Collection Spotlight at Writing to Inspire

Single-Novella Review at Joyfully Natasha

Collection Review at Graceful Reflections

“Why I Love Writing Women’s Fiction,” a Guest Post from Kellyn at Abbigail B.

Saturday, July 29th

Collection Review at Saraina Whitney

Collection Review & Collection Spotlight at Little Blossoms for Jesus

“Children’s Books I Drew Inspiration From,” a Guest Post from Kellyn at Library Lady’s Kid Lit

Wrapup Post at Lilacs & Reveries