When Hope Calls – An Adorable TV Show

In need of a cute TV show? Then I highly recommend When Hope Calls.

My family and I have recently been watching this TV show and have really enjoyed it. Yes, we enjoyed it enough to binge watch it within a couple of days.

I recently posted about the book Unyielding Hope by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan. That book was loosely based off this show! I enjoyed the book, so right after finishing the book, I knew I had to watch this. It was worth it! Yes, some of the acting was cheesy and there were a couple of times a back story was needed but what can I say? It’s Hallmark!

Fans of Hallmark’s TV show When Calls the Heart (WCTH), you will not be disappointed with this cute show. There are couple of characters from WCTH that visit in this show. Which I really enjoyed since I liked WCTH.

Hopefully there will be a second season! Because I really liked it!!! Please Hallmark, don’t let me down!

Have any of you seen this show? What did you think?

 

 

 

Unyielding Hope – Start of a Brand New Series by Janette Oke

Fellow Janette Oke fans, I have exciting news! On May 5, 2020, Janette Oke’s brand new book is to be released. I only just heard about this book a couple of days when I was scrolling through Goodreads and got lucky to get an review copy early! This book/series is based off the Hallmark TV show When Hope Calls. Quick clarification, it is very different. The TV show was released first so only a couple of the characters are the same. So don’t expect the TV show when reading the book or vice versa. I will have more on the TV show in an upcoming post. So stay tuned!

Here are my thoughts about this book: 

First and foremost I really enjoyed the book. Here is the summary of the book.

“As a young girl, Lillian Walsh lost both her parents and a younger sister. Now in her twenties, after enduring the death of her adoptive mother, Lillian must find her place in the world. Just as her adoptive father is leaving for an extended trip to his native Wales, a lawyer appears at the door to inform Lillian that she has inherited a small estate from her birth parents–and that the sister she had long believed dead is likely alive. When she discovers that her sister, Grace, is living in a city not far away, Lillian rushes to a reunion, fearful that the years of separation will make it hard to reconnect. When the two sisters meet, Grace is not at all what Lillian expected to find. Though her circumstances have been difficult, Grace has big dreams. Can Lillian set aside her own plans to join her sister in an adventure that will surely change them both?”

I am always excited to see a new book come out with Janette Oke’s name on the front and I was not disappointed with this one! I was drawn into this book quickly! Both of the sisters were adorable and I enjoyed reading their stories. This book mainly follows Lillian and her perspective. But it does change perspective to a young orphan boy a few times. At first I did not like that but then it grew on me and I did not mind reading the story per his point of view.

While reading this story I could almost imagine being there and living out the book. It was extremely  interesting and sad to read about the Canadian version of the orphan trains. I could never imagine the horror of being separated from a sibling. I guess that is what drew me in. I have sisters so I could understand how the sisters felt. Even though they lived different lives the sisterly bond was stronger.

I do have to mention this. If you are a true fan of Janette’s books this one was written with her daughter so the writing style was different. It was not bad but there is a difference in this book’s writing style compared to her original books.

Overall this book was excellent and I really enjoyed this vivid story. When I finished this book, I was a little sad that I finished it and would have to wait for the next book. But I most definitely will be reading the next book in this series.

So final comment…

I highly recommend this story and hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

 

I received this book from the Bethany House Publishing of the Baker Publishing Group through Netgalley for this review. All words are my own. 

 

 

When the World Went Crazy

Hello Dear Readers,

I hope all is well. Can you believe that in just a short couple of days the world went crazy? Me either! I do hope all of you are doing well and are staying safe and healthy. I am doing great! My state went into a “shelter in place” mode so I have been at home for most of the time. Though I already feel as though I am going crazy. At least it has been beautiful weather so I have been able to get out and enjoy it instead of being stuck in an office. LOL.

I hope you have enough reading materials. All the libraries shut down in my state but good thing I am always prepared. ( : I have plenty of my own books to reread if I run out. Or there is Amazon if I get desperate!

Anyway you may be seeing a couple more posts here! I actually have time to write. ( : Plus there will be a couple of advance book reviews of the upcoming releases: Stay with Me by Becky Wade, The Gilded Lady by Elizabeth Camden, and Unyielding Hope by Janette Oke and Laurel Oke Logan … so stay tuned!

What about you? How are you faring during this crazy time?

Did your library close down? 

 

Thanks for reading! Stay safe!

Happy Tolkien Reading Day!

IS THIS FOR REAL! I sure hope it is! Even if it is not, I don’t care. What’s better then to dust off your Tolkien books and get reading! Well hopefully you don’t have to dust them off! ( :

I have enjoyed all the books by Tolkien but I would have to say that my favorite is actually The Hobbit. I remember the first time I read it. I was told it was hard to get into but this girl (probably 11 years old) read it within two days. Later I read the Lord of the Ring series but struggled to get into it. I did complete the entire series but it just took me a little longer. Though I enjoyed it!

I am going to do things a little different and instead of just writing my thoughts I am going to post a couple great quotes by J.R.R Tolkien.

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

“Courage is found in unlikely places.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien

“Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky,
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone,
Nine for Mortal Men, doomed to die,
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.
One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them,
One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.”
― J. R. R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit, or There and Back Again

“Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.”

― J.R.R. Tolkien

 

  I hope you all are enjoying Tolkien Reading day! 

 

Head on over to my post about my journey there and back again.

Happy Reading!

The Land Beneath Us

In 1943, Private Clay Paxton trains hard with the U.S. Army Rangers at Camp Forrest, Tennessee, determined to do his best in the upcoming Allied invasion of France. With his future stolen by his brothers’ betrayal, Clay has only one thing to live for—fulfilling the recurring dream of his death. Leah Jones works as a librarian at Camp Forrest, longing to rise above her orphanage upbringing and belong to the community, even as she uses her spare time to search for her real family—the baby sisters she was separated from so long ago. After Clay saves Leah’s life from a brutal attack, he saves her virtue with a marriage of convenience. When he ships out to train in England for D-Day, their letters bind them together over the distance. But can a love strong enough to overcome death grow between them before Clay’s recurring dream comes true?

My Review:

A great conclusion to the Sunrise in Normandy series by historical author Sarah Sundin.

Overall I was pleased with this book. Sundin does an excellent job with her research into her stories. For those who have followed the series, this book follows the youngest Paxton brother. Clay Paxton is a lieutenant in the Army Rangers and while completing training he meets Leah Jones. Leah is an orphaned girl in search of her younger siblings. She works at the base’s library and there she meets Clay. This is not a story of love at first sight but instead Sundin takes a different turn with a marriage of convenience. This was a little different than the other books I read by Sundin.

Sundin did an excellent job with combing historical facts with her fictitious characters and tale.

The story highlights duty, honor, forgiveness and last but not least true love.

I would recommend this book and series.

 

This review is written in my own words and is my honest opinion.

I received this book from the Revell Division of the Baker Publishing Group for this review.

 

 

You are Worth It: Building a Life Worth Fighting For

Wow! This book was incredible, extraordinary, and simply amazing .

Read the summary of the book here.

When I first picked it up I was expecting a biography about one soldier’s journey of surviving but not one that pulled at the heartstrings of my own personal journey. Kyle Carpenter takes you on a journey of why “You are Worth It.”

Beautifully crafted, Kyle turns his story into a book that every one should read.  Yes, everyone! After finishing this book, I literally could not stop talking about it! I was so impressed with this book, that every one of my family members received a message telling them that they have to read this one (Dear family members, sorry I blew up your phones with those Goodreads recommendation messages).

The one thing I loved about this books was that Kyle did not make his story about just himself but gave credit to each and everyone. Here is a soldier who just sacrificed himself for his teammates, survived which should not have been possible, had been given the Medal of Honor, and he wanted to make sure that he thanked all who helped him and his family.

If you are feeling depressed and need a boost in the right direction, definitely pick up this book. Believe me, you will not want to put it down. I was reading this while at work ( yes, I was at work. But what can I say, working at a library is so cool! What other job allows you to read for a living! LOL) and was literally was turning the pages as fast as I could. Don’t worry, I was polite to all the patrons who interrupted my reading but all I wanted to do was go back to the book. I have read many war biographies but none have stood out like this one. This was not only a story of survival, but it was  also one of taking the chances you have and going for it. It is a story of being brave even in the darkest situations. YOU ARE WORTH IT!

As a proud American citizen I am thankful for all our brave men and women of the armed forces but this book just reminded me how grateful I really should be. The men and women of the armed forces deserve our utmost gratitude.

To Kyle Carpenter and all the brave men and women of the armed forces, thank you for your service. I know you might get tired of hearing that over and over but it is the only way I can make sure that you understand that I am truly am honored to live in this great, free country because of each and everyone of you!

And to the families of those who lost someone in the armed forces, my heart is with you all. WE WILL NEVER FORGET!

Truly Grateful,

Holly S.

 

P.S. If you stuck with me this entire review/chat you can only guess what my next sentence will be. (;

I highly recommend You are Worth It!

Merry Christmas!

Luke 2: 1-20

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”  So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

 

Have a very Merry Christmas!

Cozy Christmas Reads!

Looking for some good Christmas reads? Check out these Christmas titles I have read this year and recommend!

Christmas at the Circus by Joanne Biscoff

A short story about The Greatest Season on Earth
In 1800’s New Orleans, newlyweds Charlie and Ella Lionheart are spending their first holiday season together within the circus. It’s Ella’s first Christmas away from her mountain home and with thoughts of family and new beginnings, see what surprises the kindhearted lion tamer has in store for her on Christmas Eve.
A touch of holiday magic beneath the Big Top!

Gideon’s Gift by Karen Kingsbury

One long-ago Christmas, Earl Gibson lost the two things most precious to him: his wife and daughter. Angry and heartbroken, he ended up living on the streets and abandoned any belief he’d once had in God. Ten years later Big Earl meets Gideon, a seven-year-old leukemia patient who believes with all her heart that “Christmas means never having to ask God how much he loves us.” Gideon is determined to reach this lonely and hurting man who hates Christmas–and he is just as determined to rebuff her. It will take a miracle for Earl to come to understand the true meaning of Christmas. But if he can accept what Gideon wants to give him, he might find that he can return the favor with a precious gift of his own.

Christmas at Whitefriars by Elizabeth Camden

Mary Beckwith lives in a magnificent English castle during the twilight years of the gilded age. With the help of an American millionaire, she has succeeded in renovating her beloved Whitefriars castle into a splendid estate just in time for Christmas.
From across the ocean, millionaire Everett Wooten has spent a fortune propping up Whitefriars to add modern conveniences and rebuild crumbling old walls. Even though he’s never met Mary, they have enjoyed a lively business correspondence over the nine years they have been working toward a renovation. Now he has finally come to see Mary and the castle in person, but nothing is as he was led to believe.
Mary and Everett try to find a way forward, but red-blooded American entrepreneurship doesn’t always mingle with blue-blooded English tradition. Can a Manhattan business tycoon and an English lady come to an accord, or will their joint venture in Whitefriars result in heartbreak for them both?

Christmas in Winter Hill by Melody Carlson

Krista Galloway is not a fan of Christmas. After her rough childhood in multiple foster homes, the holiday season just brings too many bad memories to the surface. But when she accepts a job as a city manager in the mountain town of Winter Hill, Washington, Christmas is part of the deal. The small town is famous for its Christmasville celebration, something that the city manager . . . well, manages. As she tries to make her tiny new apartment feel like home for her and her eight-year-old daughter, Emily, Krista begins to wonder if this move was a mistake. She doesn’t always feel welcomed in the close-knit town, and Emily continually wonders, “Where’s the snow?” Can a friendly stranger and his family help restore Krista’s Christmas spirit before the big day?

 

Do you have any Christmas favorites?

 

The Enchanted Sonata

Clara Stahlbaum has her future perfectly planned: to marry the handsome pianist, Johann Kahler (ah!) and settle down to a life full of music.

But all that changes on Christmas Eve, when Clara receives a mysterious and magical nutcracker.
Whisked away to his world—an enchanted empire of beautiful palaces, fickle fairies, enormous rats, and a prince—Clara must face a magician who uses music as spells…and the future she thought she wanted.

The Enchanted Sonata, a retelling of The Nutcracker Ballet with a dash of The Pied Piper, will captivate readers of all ages.

An enchanting tale for Christmas time!

So I have a bunch of books I am currently reading but when I got my message that I had this book ready for pickup at my library, all those books got set aside.  It only took me a couple of days to read but that was because I could not put it down.

This book is written by Heather Dixon Wallwork. This is the same Heather Dixon who wrote Entwined. Which I am definitely going to track down and reread.

Back to The Enchanted Sonata, this is a spin off of the story of the Nutcracker and Clara. I could also see a little of Phantom of the Opera in the tale as well. I absolutely loved this tale. I was drawn into the story very quickly. Heather does an incredibly job of writing a story that the readers can almost visualize. I loved how Heather made music magical, since it really is. (:

This was truly an enchanting story! Perfect for Christmas time but can be read anytime of the year.

On Heather’s website, she writes that this book is a part of a series. Currently there isn’t any news that I could find but I am looking forward to reading more!

I recommend this book to all fans of Heather Dixon Wallwork.

 

*Unfortunately I do have to mention this, I am not a English major but there were quite a few typos in the story. For anyone who is picky about this, I am giving you fair warning.

 

Breaking News!

 

Jennifer Nielsen is adding two more books to her Ascendance series!

Yes, I said two more books! Fans, mark your calendar for October 2020 for the release of The Captive Kingdom the fourth book! Yes, we have to wait but it will be worth it I am sure!

I am literally freaking out right now. For any of my readers you already know how much I talk about this series and author.

So I wanted to share this exciting news with you today.

This news was just posted on Publisher Weekly yesterday. Read the full article here!

Since this book was originally a trilogy, Nielsen is changing the series to the Ascendance Saga. Can you guess what this means? That’s right: new, updated covers for the first three books. Here they are…

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The False Prince, The Runaway King, and The Shadow Throne are all books I recommend. Well, I pretty much recommend all of Nielsen’s books!

 

Comment and tell me what you think of this exciting news!