So excited to be included in this collection as an author! I was a blessing to be a part of this anthology and work alongside the other talented writeSo excited to be included in this collection as an author! I was a blessing to be a part of this anthology and work alongside the other talented writers, and we're so excited to share these stories with you!...more
This is my first-ever anthology published with Wild Blue Wonder Press. It features myself along with seven other amazing authors: Faith BlumHey folks!
This is my first-ever anthology published with Wild Blue Wonder Press. It features myself along with seven other amazing authors: Faith Blum, Andrea Renee Cox, Bailey Gaines, Grace A. Johnson, Katja H. Labonté, Rachel Leitch, and Erika Mathews.
Springtime in Surrey, the first collection releasing with Wild Blue Wonder Press, is a Christian anthology featuring eight lovely stories. With a mix of historical and contemporary, romance and women’s fiction, a dash of mystery here and there, real-life themes presented in a loving way, and a vintage feel, this story is sure to charm lovers of Christian women’s fiction.
Each of these stories could easily have a G or PG rating if they were a movie. Think "thematic elements," like in a Jane Austen adaptation.
Here is a brief description & content warnings for each novella.
Jesus, I Am Resting
A WWI story with a romantic subplot that discusses the important themes of rest and trust in God. This story features brief mentions of the war, of illness & injury, and of death, but all of them are perfectly G.
The Cottage on the Hill
This story is about a former ballerina recovering from a tragic accident and her cheerful, farm-worker suitor. This story features brief mentions of illness, disability, and injury in a G-rated way.
If I Knew You Were Coming
This WWII novella features a mother struggling to keep her children safe while dealing with a potential visit from her soldier husband. This story features PTSD, war wounds, and death/grief in a G-rated way.
Her Heart's Home
This novella, set in the early 1920s, features a woman tossed out of her home and a sea captain searching for a safe harbor. This story features some clean but vivid description of war-related PTSD and a few kisses, as per its romantic storyline, in a G- or PG-rated way.
The Tussie-Mussie
This novella, set in the early 1900s, features a disgraced debutante fighting to save her brother, only to meet a kind reclusive author who changes her life. This story features brief references to verbal abuse, but is perfectly G-rated.
The Odd Duck Society
This contemporary storyline features a young woman trying to rescue her family's tea shop all the while she and two new friends receive mysterious letters from famous authors. This story is G-rated and features little that I could warn you about. I will note that the main character vividly suffers from anxiety.
Fear Not Tomorrows
This historical novella concerns the worries of a young woman separated from her betrothed and the journey with God she goes through as she accepts this change of plans. This story is G-rated and features little that I could warn you about save perhaps mentions of illness and death.
Courage to Stay
This Regency-era novella is about a bride chasing her husband into the woods to rescue him from himself. This story features a semi-vivid portrayal of war-related PTSD and references to war, a few kisses, and one scene (fade to black) where it is hinted that a married couple remained together overnight and few reflections of events thereof in the morning, all in a PG-rated manner.
Faith Alone is one of the most heart-stopping, ground-breaking, truth-telling books I’ve read in a long time … but it’s not preachy.
Faith Alone is Christian fiction, but it’s not cheesy, doesn’t tie everything up in a nice frilly bow, and doesn’t skip around tough issues. It delves right into the messy world we live in, but it isn’t dirty or even overly disturbing.
This book takes on issues like purity, abortion, teen motherhood, messy families, and rakish fops (shh, I’m a historical fiction girl) without trembling.
That sounds like a parade of preaching, downer-ing, and boredom, but nope. It’s also an entertaining (sometimes exciting, sometimes humorous, some tear-jerking) novel.
I was really impressed with the author achieving that delicate balance! She tells the story without judgement or turning to the reader with an “the moral is …” monologue. And I’m glad, because we need more books like that.
So thanks for that, Ruth Meyer! The world needs it. Christians need it. People in these tough, crazy, awful, amazing situations need it.
Some random other things I enjoyed:
-Learning a bit more about the Lutheran church/faith. A couple of my dearest friends are Lutherans, but they don’t bring it up a lot except in the general Christian stuff context. So I’ve always been curious. Though I could never be Lutheran, I still love learning about different sects of the church (or however you say that … denominations, I guess?). (BTW, remind me that one of my characters is Lutheran if you ever see me around. I forgot for half a book, and I still need to dive into revisions …)
-Siblingness. Siblings are tough. This book is realistic. I mean, they’re not as dysfunctional as my sibling relationships, but it’s still fun to see them quarreling and all. It’s not all hugs and sugar.
-Actually sticking together. I get tired of families, even in Christian fiction, always falling apart at the slightest trial. Oftentimes that happens – but there ARE families that stay together no matter what. Who become stronger as a group. So I’m glad to see that!
-Money is actually a thing. … unless it’s a major plot point, it seems like people forget how expensive things are in novels. Just me who sees that? A’right. Anyways, yep, I was glad that money matters as simple as groceries being spendy were discussed.
-ALL. THE. FAMILY. TALKING. I am so glad I’m not the only one with a whacky, loud, noisy, crazy, awful, perfect extended family.
Source: from author in exchange for an honest critique. No review required and no compensation exchanged.
Overall Rating: 4.5/5 stars
The Thief, the Damsel, and the Dragon by Angela R. Watts
“… the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.” ~ Psalms 91:13
Edward Prosner is going to steal from the small town mayor of Fall Springs, North Carolina. He’s got a flawless plan of action and is determined to return honor and justice to his father’s good name. The problem he faces? He needs a date for the mayor’s dinner party.
Lucy Levitt is a huge romantic at heart, but with her family’s ranch and her part-time job, she has no time for dating. She believes God will place her soulmate in her life when the time is right. When the new man in town asks her out, how can she say no?
The first date seems ordinary enough, but then they begin to realize that they can’t fight their dragons alone.
Review:
I originally read The Thief, the Damsel, and the Dragon as a beta-reader for Angela. Though not quite in its completed form then, it was amazing!
It was immediately the kind of book one begins and goes, “Hey, I gotta keep reading!” This was mostly due to the writing style, but it wasn’t long until the characters, setting, and plot dragged me down, and I was a goner!
You may think I’m biased. After all, the author is a very close, very dear friend to me and sister in Christ. I beta-read this book and have since helped the author get ready for publication and organized her blog tour.
However … this review contains my honest opinions. It really is good. I promise. Read it yourself if you’re not convinced!
PLOT: 4/5 Wow … definitely not what I was expecting!
Well, I guess I wasn’t sure what I was expecting going in. The only other story I’ve read by my friend Ang, Seek, was of a completely different genre (more spy thriller than romance, haha, and certainly a bit darker!).
I knew Ang and I think a lot alike when it comes to romance in books, so I wasn’t concerned about that, but … I was wondering what all was going on in my action/adventure-writing friend’s mind! Contemporary Christian romance? Like a Hallmark power-puff thing??!!
Turns out, there was a beautiful, lazy Southern summer romance with amazing Christian themes and a fantastic writing style! From the very first sentence this novel sucked me in and wouldn’t let me go!
CHARACTERS: 5/5 Lucy and Ed are now one of my favorite couples! <3 They belong together. Hush, no arguing!
Lucy is one of the sweetest, most fun female leads I’ve ever met. From the first time I met her, I was enchanted! Honestly, so much Southern charm and honey and just … ugggh! I love her! She is my best friend, okay? (Apologies to Bailey; you’re not Southern, so you’re gonna lose.)
Ed … well, I wasn’t sure what to think of him at first. He’s a rebel, and though I felt bad for him, I was also a bit annoyed at his flesh-ness. (You know, the lack of Jesus Christ and the much of Ed!) But by the end, I was on his team! <3 Also, I felt so bad for him, poor baby … *huggles him*
There were other amazing characters such as Lucy’s family (THE WHOLE FAMILY! <3 ) and Ed’s Irish friend (he needs no other descriptor!). However, if I went into each of them, this review would run too long, so I’d better stop!
SETTING: 5/5 LET ME GO TO NORTH CAROLINA. PLEASE. I’LL DO ANYTHING! (relatively speaking)
Maybe if I bug the Marine Corps* enough, my sister’s husband will get stationed close to there, and we can visit. Not that *coughs* I want her to move even farther away, butttt … y’know. It’d be a nice perk. I don’t like Cali all that much, sooo …
Seriously, though, the setting was absolutely perfect. <3 Love the Southernness, love the summerness, love the people who inhabit this Southern summer!
*yes, I do realize that government agencies are not at my beck and call … I just wish* …
**the more I think about it, the more I wish I had some sort of diplomatic immunity …
WRITING: 4/5 WHOA, there! This writing style! <3 <3 <3
CONTENT: 1/5 Language: n/a
Violence: n/a
Sexual: n/a
Other: romance and denial (y’know, the river in Africa). Not really content, but y’know …
Probably good for all ages, recommended for teens.
OVERALL: 4.5/5 Recommended to any lovers are fun characters, an amazing plot, a grabbing writing style, Southern summers, and sweet romances. Definitely get this book and read the heck out of it!
FTC Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
Title: Seek
Author: Angela R. Watts
Series: Whispers of Heaven, Book 1
Genre: Contemporary Adventure (with romance)
Setting: England, countryside
Publisher: Reveries Co.
Source: received from publisher
Seek by Angela R. Watts is an adventure story, but it has a lot of elements of a psychological thriller.
The characters were amazing! They were all quite well-developed and defined. It was easy to tell them apart, and they felt like real people.
I’m not sure if I liked Asher or Eli better. They both have their pros and cons.
Asher is funny and amusing and sweet. He’s sort of the comedy relief of the group, but he’s also the BEST BROTHER to Eli, and their relationship is fantastic.
(Asher/Angel’s relationship is great, ’cause he’s got to be her brother now, but yeah, that doesn’t get to show up as much ’cause they just met.)
And, of course, Eli is the “romantic interest,” while Asher is a friend, which gives him a bit of an edge later on. 😉
But Eli reminds me of myself in many ways, which is always a plus. He’s a lot like me, I think. (I relate more to boys than to girls 99% of the time … help?)
All of his back story just KILLSSSS me, though! Poor precious baby. ❤ Also, more sibling relationships just: 😍😍😍
Angel wasn’t immediately a stand out character to me, mostly, I think, because Asher was so loudly standout that I got distracted. 😜
However, that doesn’t mean she wasn’t awesome! She was pretty awesome, though in a different sort of way than hilarious Asher or hardcore Eli.
She’s a country girl, first off. And that’s great.
But she’s also super tough without being your typical, “OH WOW I’M TOUGH I DON’T TAKE NOTHING FROM NO ONE” female. I get sick of that stereotype, but she was strong without being abrasive.
Angel’s family was also pretty awesome! Gotta love how supportive and understanding and whatnot they are.
Viktor … oh, Viktor Marino. He’s one of those villains you love to hate!
And I must say, I think Miss Watts did an excellent job portraying his narcissistic personality disorder. Shudderingly realistic.
Actually, that phrase is a good one to describe the book as a whole: shudderingly realistic.
Reality isn’t always easy. It isn’t always what we want or plan on. However, this book does a good job showing reality while still shining light on God’s glory.
This book was very, well, poignant. Realistically poignant. It’s hardcore and sad and happy and good and yet you see the evil … but as the light is shone on it.
This book has some heavier and darker themes and shows a lot of darkness. But it’s all in a clean and godly light, which is great.
The Biblical aspects were super well done, and I was so glad to see God represented clearly and without fear in a novel!
Towards the end especially, and during all the action scenes, I was reading this book super quickly! I couldn’t help it … it’s very exciting!
With a book that’s over 300 pages, you’d think there’d be some slow places … but there wasn’t. It was incredibly fast-paced.
Another interesting aspect was seeing another side of Christianity in people who still keep Jewish holidays such as Hannukah.
I honestly am not even 100% sure what all Hannukah is about, except that it’s around Christmas and involved lighting candles, but it’s kinda cool to see different religions – like Judaism – talked about.
(I mean, Judaism isn’t really a separate religion, I guess – just the pre-Jesus Christianity. But whatever.)
Overall, this was an exciting novel that kept me reading from the beautiful beginning to the beautiful end with all the adventure, excitement, and grittiness you could ever ask for in the middle!
CONTENT Language: n/a
Violence: lots of shooting, guns, and wounds, but nothing super gory. It was certainly not for shock value.
Sexual: none, except some really cute and pure romance 😍
Other: THE VILLAIN IS DOWNRIGHT FRIGHTENING. Ugh, narcissists …
2/5. 13+ for violence and darker elements (scary people).
Genre: Christian Historical Adventure (with light romance)
Era: World War Two
Setting: Kansas and the South Pacific
Publisher: Jesseca Wheaton
Source: from author (in exchange for honest review)
Overall Rating: 5/5 stars
If you’ve read my review of A Question of Honor, you’re probably moaning and thinking, “This is gonna be such a long review.” Well, it … ended up being pretty long, yes. I’m really excited about this book, okay? It’s simply the best!
Also, I’ve been waiting so long to tell you about it, so if anything, I’m showing restraint. *is literally dying of excitement* *okay, not literally* *but imploding, at least*
ALSO, my #1 Christmas Present this year is going to be A Question of Honor and A Question of Courage in paperback. I need them desperately. (Make a note, Mom. :P )
Just a disclaimer: I’m kind of looking at this book through semi-rose-tinted glasses because I love these characters so much. Also, I’ve read it twice: I alpha-read once and then I read it again this last month.
PLOT: 4/5 ARGGGGGGGGGGGGGG.
Okay, never did I imagine when I began this book that it could be so heartbreaking and amazing and just good. I loved the first book, and I was thinking I wouldn’t enjoy it as much as A Question of Honor. Honestly … I was a bit worried that it wouldn’t be as good.
Well … it was just as good.
The plot was absolutely grabbing.
There were a couple loose ends that needed wrapping up (mostly Art and Derek), but I think the author intends to touch on them in Book 4 (which she has now confirmed will exist! I’M GOING TO DIE!). (Also, I’m so excited for Book 3!) (Did I see a subtle Micah/Ann possibility?) (Because that would be so amazing!) (AND ENGLAND AGAIN YAY!) (AND MICAH!) (AND ERICH!) (I’ll stop now …)
I did have a tiny problem with the plot – I felt at times it seemed to go on a bit. I wondered if some of the scenes really moved it forward or if they were just fillers. It felt like that sometimes, at least. But … that was probably just me.
Some of my favorite scenes were the ones with Lily. The bookshelf … and then that letter … oh, my gosh. The letter was the best part of the whole book. (If you’ve read it, you know which letter I’m talking about.) I loved the Oz Gang, and Rafe’s adventures were all interesting, but Lily just gets me here. *places hand over heart*
The only other thing I have to talk about before I move on is the message. WOW. That was incredibly powerful. You know, I really believe God inspires Jesseca’s books. Especially this series. He is in them in such a big way! It’s quite impressive. We all knew the theme was going to be ‘courage,’ but … it was so well-done! Not “in your face,” but integrated into the story in a beautiful way. Well done!
CHARACTERS: 5/5 Oh, the awesomeness! In most books I love (or all, rather), there’s a character I really adore, but in this one, it was pretty much all the characters! And so … I’m going to go through many of the characters and the individual things I liked about them (AND EXCUSE ME IF IT’S LONG, BUT I CAN’T HELP MYSELF).
Rafe
HE IS AWESOME. Okay, so, I wasn’t sure I was going to like Rafe. I mean, I knew he was David’s brother so he had to be at least decent, but … I admit I felt he was going to replace A Certain Character I Loved in Book One.
But … Rafe was awesome. I came to love him. He was interesting, his arc was well-developed and just lovely, and he was a great guy overall. I loved how caring he was despite his jokestering. He was just a really sweet, loving guy!
Lily
I asked Jesseca to write about Lily in my review of aQoH, and … and … SHE DID. I mean, it wasn’t probably entirely influenced by me, but … I don’t know, it makes me so happy!
And it was totally everything I’d hoped for. Lily is simply an amazing woman. She is the kind of “strong female character” that girls should look up to. I just can’t believe her strength! And yes, she has faults (because it would be boring and unrealistic if she didn’t), but she is a fighter. An overcomer.
Art
I wasn’t sure what to think about him at first. I was like, “Who is this random character? Why do I like him?”
Well … he turned out to be a great character. I honestly adored him! He reminds me a little of myself, but also of my best friend, so it made me very happy. I honestly want to read this book again focusing on Art. (Yes, I read books focusing on one aspect of them sometimes … don’t look at me like I’m weird!)
Elaine
I couldn’t help mentioning her just ’cause SHE’S SO SWEET. I honestly didn’t understand the differences between her and Lily until just now. But now I do. *nods*
David
MY DARLING. I really love David. I mean, he’s not Gil, but he is simply an amazing man. I would marry David. I mean, I want to marry a more extroverted guy, but I want him to be gentle, caring, and wise like David. Gil would be a better fit for me, but David is still awesome. And even the little we got to see of him was amazing!
Little Gil
What? Doesn’t this little bundle of cuteness deserve a spot? He’s awesome. (And the way Lily handled his behavior was awesome, too. Good for her! Parents need to be stern with their children.)
And … that’s about it. I’m not going to list any of the others (Derrek, Mrs. Sullivan, and Joyanna all get honorable mentions, just so you know!), but let me just say they were awesome!
SETTING: 5/5 I feel like the setting was even better than last time! It was quite amazing, in my opinion. I loved all the little peeks “back at home” best. The diner and the music and … it was all just amazing.
Honestly, I wish there was something negative so I could make this section longer, but I thought it was extremely well done.
WRITING: 5/5 I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – I love Jesseca’s writing style.
That is all.
CONTENT: 1/5 Language: n/a
Violence: there’s a war going on. So planes are being shot down, ships are being sunk, etc. Death and near death. And a man is injured and has his arm amputated, no details except the emotions of the man. Never graphic or scary.
Sexual: romantic feelings. The men on the ship with Rafe don’t respect women and boast about their conquests – no details.
Other: SCARY HOSPITALS. *shudders*
I honestly can’t think of anything else. Super clean. Okay for anyone 12+, younger if you’re not sensitive to war stuff.
OVERALL: 5/5 I just can’t express to you how much I loved this book! It was absolutely lovely. Just … the perfect sequel to a book I really adored. But now I can’t decide which is my favorite. They’re both awesome in their own individual ways.
So … if you love WW2, amazing characters, amazing plots, amazing writing, an amazing message, or basically books, you should read this story! DO IT NOW IT’S AWESOME. (But start with Book 1, haha.)
Series: Tales of Faith, #2 (can function as stand-alone)
Genre: Christian Fairytale Retelling
Setting: non-magical fantasy world
Publisher: Amanda Tero
Source: from author (in exchange for honest review)
Overall Rating: 5/5 stars
The Review:
Just as with Befriending the Beast, I loved this book. It was definitely a five-star read, and, as with BtB (what? I like acronyms!), it was special. I love the idea of retelling fairytales with father/daughter relationships. It’s sweet and an amazingly creative twist.
(Note: all the blog tour stuff is at the bottom of this post, including a giveaway, info about the other tour stops, etc. Be sure to check it out!)
PLOT: 5/5 I tried so hard to come up with something to say here other than the fact that it was amazing, and I did manage to come up wit the fact that a twist at the end seemed a little out-of-nowhere. But, then, that’s kind of the point of a plot twist, right?
Basically, it was a sweet story – and at times a heartbreaking story – that was amazingly original. I especially like the whole thing with Lia’s crippled foot. That has got to be the best take on the slipper story ever!
CHARACTERS: 4/5 I had trouble keeping a few of them separated in my head, but, overall, they were great.
Lia was such a sweetie, and I really felt for her! I just wanted to give her a hug. And tell her about Jesus. Because she really needed Him, poor baby!
Raoul‘s character arc was really impressive. I felt bad for him, although I don’t think I really identified with him that much.
Dumphey and Noel were awesome. I love how they took care of Lia, especially Dumphey!
Jolin has got to be the best supporting character ever.
Bioti was awful. Some of her motivations didn’t make sense to me, but I guess she’s just a disturbed lady …
SETTING: 4/5 I feel like this could have been done a little better, but it was pretty good. The descriptions of the village, the forest, and such were great. I would have liked to understand the feudal system in this imaginary world a little better, but we can’t have everything, especially in a novella.
WRITING: 5/5 I think I’ve mentioned this before, but I really like Amanda Tero’s writing style. It’s really neat and minimalistic, but it’s also somewhat flowery and old-fashioned. It just gives me a happy feeling.
THEME: 5/5 After reading another of Miss Tero’s books, Journey to Love, I remember emailing the author and saying that she had really inspired me … and that was true!
CONTENT: 1.5/5 Language: n/a
Violence: mentions of dying/death, Bioti strikes Lia once or twice.
Sexual: n/a
Other: mentions of people dying in a plague, a scene in a jail, someone almost gets hung for thievery, a child was kidnapped in the past, Lia has club-foot.
Okay for all teens. More sensitive younger children may be a little disturbed by the idea of being kidnapped, hangings, etc. However, almost anyone should be able to read this book; it was very clean.
OVERALL: 4.5/5 The Secret Slipper by Amanda Tero is a fantastic book (that I have simply got to buy in paperback soon). I’d recommend it to any middle-grader or teenager who loves Christian fairytale retellings.
Source: from author (in exchange for honest review)
Overall Rating: 5/5
A clever detective short story which I really enjoyed. I'm really looking forward to reading more about Rory Greyhood (and his crazy friends). I had the pleasure of beta-reading Diamond, and then I got to read it again in its completed form, and I enjoyed it both times!
Plot {4/5}:
Well-paced, clever, and exciting. I admit I had some trouble understanding certain things, but I figure you don't need to know everything all at once (especially in a mystery), and I eventually caught on, which is what counts. :P
Characters {5/5}:
For a short story, the characters were really well-developed, especially Rory and Henry. I really liked Henry (needless to say) and Rory's "cop friend" was really cool. I hope we get to see Henry again. :D
Setting {4/5}:
There wasn't really a lot of talk about where the story was taking place or anything (some big city in the United States is my guess), but it wasn't really necessary, partially because of the shortness of the story and partially because it just wouldn't have added anything.
Writing {5/5}:
Mr. Willis has got to be one of the most amusing writers out there! His writing style is just so witty and bouncy and fresh. I was quietly chuckling at a lot of his similes and descriptions.
Content {1/5}:
I honestly can't think of a single thing. I suppose there was a (non-descriptive) fist-fight of sorts towards the end.
Okay for all ages.
Overall {5/5}:
A simple amazing detective story, comparable with Sherlock Holmes and Father Brown mysteries. I'd recommend Diamond to almost anyone, but especially to lovers of old-fashioned detective stories, amusing characters, and witty writing.
Source: from author (in exchange for honest review)
Overall Rating: 4/5
The New Diary by Hanna Kraft
One Summer Sunday in 1930, Carol Ayers decides to keep a diary. She records many life changes over the days, weeks, and months. Can Carol and her family accept, and even like the changes, and at the same time continue their traditions?
The New Diary, a fictional account, contains actual excerpts from the real diary of Carol Ayers, the author's great-grandmother.
The New Diary by Hanna Kraft is a very sweet, entertaining story. At first, I didn't quite realize that it was based off her grandmother's journals (I'm not a detail person ...) and expected more of an average historical fiction novel, but it was much more than that, and I really enjoyed it!
Plot {4/5}:
All of the little stories in this book were so great! Some were funny, some intriguing, and all were entertaining and interesting. I will say I would have liked more of a solid plotline, but this was actually a nice change. I'm sick of the formulas, anyway, and as it's semi-biographical, it's understandable.
Characters {3/5}:
I admit I spent most if not all of this book with the characters mixed up in my head. If I were the author, I might try making a 'characters' section at the beginning of the book so readers could refer back to it and figure out who's who. I had the feeling that I walked into a room where everyone knows everyone ... except me, who knows no one. Of course, that makes sense, as the author really does know some of these characters (in a way)!
However, the characters I did remember (Carol, Pete, Maggie, etc.) were all very vivid and real. I enjoyed them. Pete was my favorite. Or Maggie. Or Edythe. But I liked Carol, too ...
Setting {4/5}:
The setting was amazing! I really got immersed in the era (and I sure didn't want to leave). I especially loved when they went shopping and were looking at clothes.
I think the description of characters and places, however, could have used a little work ... but not much. I could feel hot summer days or rain drizzling on my back sometimes, too. :)
Writing {4/5}:
Light and entertaining and never focusing on anything longer than need by, the writing kept the book going. It could use a little work on minor things here and there, but I shan't dwell on it ... mostly because I can't remember what they were and my notes are hazy. XD
Content:
I think maybe there was a little girl-talk about boys and crushes and stuff, but that was maybe two paragraphs and so innocent (it's the 1930s!). Not at all like the silly stuff you hear from your average middle-schooler/high-schooler nowadays. I can't remember anything else, though.
Okay for all ages without parental guidance. Probably best for girls aged 8-14.
Overall {4/5}:
The New Diary gives us a good glimpse into life in the early 1930s for your average family and community, and I really appreciate that (this being among my top ten favorite eras ... and yes, I couldn't narrow it down to less than ten ... even that was a stretch ...). It was also a great story about a great family who stuck together in an increasingly troubled time. Looking forward to the next book! :)
Okay, it’s not my absolute favorite book, but it’s among my favorite books. It’s just so good!
It gave me every (positive) emotion that exists, making me cry and laugh and jump up and down with a mixture of crying and laughing. It taught me some important truths that I honestly had trouble accepting before, and it was absolutely captivating.
You're going to have to read the rest of my review here, because it actually got too long to post on Goodreads.
This was a simple amazing novella! I really enjoyed it. It was one of the most fantastic takes on the ‘Beauty and the Beast’ story that I’ve ever readThis was a simple amazing novella! I really enjoyed it. It was one of the most fantastic takes on the ‘Beauty and the Beast’ story that I’ve ever read! It was also refreshing … we all know what’s gonna happen in romances … but this … this is special.
I acknowledge this is a confusing novel! It was published … then it was published again … and now again. But this is the last relaunA few disclaimers:
I acknowledge this is a confusing novel! It was published … then it was published again … and now again. But this is the last relaunch. I promise.
(Long story short, I wrote it in November 2014, published it in January 2016, unpublished it and republished it in summer 2017 with some rewrites and a new cover, and am now publishing it January 10th, 2020 with the final cover and final rewrites!)
After my rewrites, The Dressmaker's Secret is practically a brand new book! After all, her secret is not what you remember.
Official Content Guide for The Dressmaker's Secret:
Language:
None.
Expressions: dash it all (x3), goodness/for goodness' sake (x6), heaven help [her] (x1), heaven forbid (x1), for heaven's sake (x1)
Violence:
Nothing on-page.
There is a brief mention of a soldiers dying in a battle against smugglers, and Alice thinks that the smugglers should have been "hung or cut up into little bits as a warning for further villains" instead of getting off free (no conviction was secured).
Sexual:
Mentions of a man possibly seducing maids (begging kisses of them, perhaps more). Mentions of rumors about who a person is and what their past is. It's hinted that a woman was raped but never actually stated/talked about. Lots of talk about Claire's secret, what that could be, etc.
Sharing the whole "secret" in this spoiler to come (using no character names):
(view spoiler)[A character is married then her marriage is annulled. After that, her former husband ends up remarrying. However, she is left with children. (hide spoiler)]
There is another secret, but it doesn't require a separate content warning.
Other:
Brief mentions of pregnancy and childbirth. Mentions of a woman dying in childbirth. Brief mention of miscarriage (nothing triggering) and discussion about babies who go to Heaven.
A husband was potentially abusive - at least emotionally if not physically.
***
And that's it! Overall it's a clean (but slightly dramatic) novel full of sweet characters, deeper themes, and a bit of a mystery in a good old-fashioned family saga. I'd recommend 15+ - this is a novel for older YA and adult readers, targeted more toward adults.
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