Tag Archive | inspirational romance

Oliver’s Opinion: Sweeter than Ice Cream (Book Review)

Nov14
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Oliver’s Opinion: Sweeter than Ice Cream (Book Review)

I’ve never tasted ice cream. I don’t think a Starbuck’s pup cup counts but that was an acceptable treat. Having said that, Karen Malley’s latest Christmas novella, Sweeter Than Ice Cream also qualifies as a sweet treat. Of course, as a dog, I’m biased. Any book that get’s Susan to sit and snuggle while reading is aces.

Hannah Parker is a bit of a doormat, bowing to everyone else’s wishes and setting aside her own dreams as being too fanciful. When her snotty sister is getting married, Hannah is almost run over by a car, only rescued at the last minute by a handsome young man, Drew Johnston who she runs into later at the wedding reception, as he serves her out-of-this-world ice cream.

Drew asks questions and challenges Hannah in ways she’s not comfortable with, even though she’s intriqued by him. Her best friend gives her harsh warnings to stay away from the man.

Drew is working hard to start his own business selling ice cream and faces his own challenges, including his increasing attraction to the lovely Hannah.

Life brings a lot of complications for Hannah and she’s finally forced to choose between comformity and losing her best friend, or taking a risk and follow her dreams which would mean upsetting her parents, oh and also upsetting her best friend. Will she trust God for all the details? Is it possible that the dreams she has were God’s way of directing her on a new path like her new friend, Drew, suggests?

It’s a Christmas story about  faith, courage, and the dreams God plants in our hearts.

You’ll have to read the story to find out what happens and you’ll enjoy the journey to get there. As a dog, I give it five bones. I strongly recommend you read Sweeter than Ice Cream and give your pet lots of snuggles.

Oliver’s Opinion: Making Christmas Again (Book Review)

Nov15
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Oliver here! I’m so excited for Christmas because last year I was too small and in an Amish puppy mill so I didn’t understand all the colorful lights and the tree and gifts! That’s why reading Penelope Marzec’s book Making Christmas Again is compelling, because sometimes Christmas just doesn’t feel like Christmas. Have you ever experienced that? Obviously I did last year as no one even told me there was such a thing.

Celeste has a lot going on. Her mother died so she’s gotta leave a challenging job situation to go home to settle affairs. She’s the only remaining person in her family which is terribly sad. She also had broken up with a menacing boyfriend/boss and had uncovered his embezzlement and was a whistleblower, only her employer doesn’t realize this yet. She also left her mother’s faith behind her, focusing more on numbers than the intangible.

She arrives home to find someone living in her mother’s basement. Make that two someones! I’d be barking my head off! Especially since one is a little boy whom I would love to play with. This little boy has Down Syndrome which her deceased sister also had, so now she’s missing her mom and her sister and there’s a snowstorm.

Sawyer is the father to this precious little soul and is also grieving Mrs. Greenfield’s death as she had been so helpful to him with his son after his wife died and had encouraged him in his business, even renting her basement space for his work. Celeste hadn’t been told. Now he has a new landlord who can’t see past her own grief and challenges to trust, much less celebrate the faith her mother held dear.

Death, upheaval, an extra chromosome, snow, and other challenges face these two characters as they find their way through each day to understanding each other and maybe even falling in love. But will Celeste stay in town or will she return to her employer leaving Sawyer’s heart broken?

Through all the twists and turns, challenges, and snowstorms, these two people might find a miracle yet and Christmas might once again be cherished and celebrated.

Mom loves Penelope’s writing so you should give her a try if you haven’t before. Buy Making Christmas Again. I give it five bones because I’m a dog. Oh, and leave her a nice review after you’ve read it, it really does help an author out.

Oliver’s Opinion: The Lady with the Alligator Case (Book Review)

Nov1
Reading Time: 2 minutes

It’s me, Oliver Sparky Toffee Cashew, to tell you about Anita Klumper’s latest masterpiece, The Lady with the Alligator Case which is a Christmas novella which will be a great escape from the craziness of the holiday season.

Like I even know the difference between an alligator or a crocodile? Especially without their head? It doesn’t matter to the story. Anita weaves a tale with her characteristic playfulness writing in the first person as she tells the story of Jemima, a young woman who loves Christmas sweaters but is a little desperate when it comes to love which leads her into a pickle of a situation.

She was headed to Wisconsin before Christmas to deliver this ugly suitcase for her grandmother which only meant a slight deviation before her hopeful reunion with the guy who’d dumped her. See? Desperate.

Black ice derailed her plans and she wakes up to find herself handcuffed to a hospital bed and apparantly guilty of delivering illegal goods in that silly case. But that isn’t the end of Jemima’s Christmas detour.

All types of mayhem ensue with a handsome police officer investigating this perplexing crime which gets even more befuddled when the police station  almost burns down, her grandmother shows up along with an elderly friend, and of course there is a snowstorm of blizzard proportions!

With only Christmas sweaters in her own suitcase, she’s finding it hard to find any holiday cheer, even with the handsome arresting officer, Elihu Orwell by her side as they try to figure it all out. Why is this suitcase, or it’s contents so important that someone would go to all this trouble?

This is a book that’s hard to put down so please go get a copy of The Lady with the Alligator Case by Anita Klumpers for an unusual treat during this holiday season. And after you’ve read it, please give her a nice review!

I’ll give it five bones becaues it’s good and I think that case is only good for a dog to chew on.

 

Minnie’s Remarks: I’ll be Gnome for Christmas (Book Review)

Oct25
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Hi, I’m Oliver’s smaller but older sister, Minnie, as in Minnie Pearl, because the foster family had named me Dolly Parton and no offense to Dolly, they thought my petiteness needed to be mentioned every time they talk to me. Humans are odd, but I love my life with them, much better than the Amish puppy mill where I lived for three years. Now I get sunshine, snuggles, toys I’m learning to play with, and a buddy in Ollie, who like any brother, can be a pain, but I let him know in no uncertain terms when he crosses the line.

Mom asked me to review her latest Christmas novella, I’ll be Gnome for Christmas, a whimsical inspirational romance. She wrote it before I came to the house but she let me look at the story when she was making corrections during editing and I gotta say, there’s some funny names in this story which lighten the emotional weight of struggles the two main characters carry.

Gigget Wicket is a widow with two young children and she carries shame from her husband’s infidelities. Not only was he a cad, he left her high and dry when he died which was rude. She’s barely making it and isn’t looking for a new man to love because she fears part of the problem was that she was unworthy. She clings to faith in God and good friends and works hard to make ends meet, even selling produce at the local Farmer’s Market in town.

Bingle Twinkle was left high and dry when his wife decided she preferred his then-best friend. Losing a wife meant losing his dream for a happy family. Between factory work and serving in the Army National Guard, he keeps himself so busy that usually he doesn’ t have time to experience the loneliness. But when he runs into Gigget and her two little gnomes at the Farmer’s Market, sparks fly between them.

Gigget’ s children, Djoni and Amoretta really like Bingle and his way of diffusing a hostile man without raising a fist. They are praying for a dad who’ ll make them and their mother happy. With the holidays approaching, could a Christmas miracle be in the works?

This book entails real life mixed with wit and whimsy and a touch of dreams really do come true. Buy it for me mom and leave her a nice review so I can get more bully sticks since Oliver keeps stealing mine. I’ll give this book five bones so go buy I’ll be Gnome for Christmas, you’ll be glad you did.

You can listen to my mom talk about this book here:

Oliver’s Opinion: The Keeper’s Secret (Book Review)

Oct11
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Hi, Oliver here again with another book. Guess I keep getting up to too many shenanigans so she wants to keep my paws busy here instead of bothering my sister, Minnie (maybe mom will put Minnie to work sometime instead of saddling me with all of these reviews). A dog can only hope.

This time the book is by Penelope Marzec called The Keeper’s Secret and it is a delightful and suspenseful romance filled with faith, trauma, and victory in the end for our two protagonists (aren’t you amazed I even know that word? I’m only one you know!).

Our town has a lighthouse but not with this kind of history or action going on around it as this story takes place in Shucker’s Point, New Jersey. Anyway, lighthouses are cool and a nice backdrop for this tale.

Evie is the keeper of the lighthouse and things are not going well for this woman. Her husband was missing and he was a famous research scientist, so any suspicion of foul play natural falls to the wife, Evie. She has secrets she’s keeping close.

Unfortunately for her and her daughter, the investigator, Bryce, is her old love from high school who harbors some ill will toward Evie while simutaneously struggling with those long lost loving feelings. She protests her innocence while he’s trying to arrest her.

Once upon a time Bryce wanted to marry Evie but after she did something impulsive and technically illegal he shunned her. Since those days past, he’d walked away from God and she has embraced faith in Jesus. So not only do they clash regarding a crime she didn’t commit, but their faith is at odds as well.

I don’t want to give spoilers but this book keeps you guessing the who done it part which makes it a thrilling read. Penelope Marzec digs deep into the trauma, loneliness, dark nights of the soul of her characters and their respective hurts and struggle to believe God can work it all out.

I highly recommend you read this romantic suspense, The Keeper’s Secret. It gets five bones from me.

Oliver’s Opinion: Master Plan for Love (Book Review)

Oct4
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Hi, Oliver here, Mom had to put me to work as she hopes that will tire me out some. She was told a tired puppy is a good puppy. Not so sure about that, but I love exploring everything! So she had me explore this new novel, Master Plan for Love by Emily Grey.

Nikki has got some scars from her past. Not physical as much as emotional. Her ex-boyfriend was a bad dude, who I’d likely bite if I could even though I’m generally a friendly dog. This guy even threatened her physically as well as devestated her finanically.

She returned to her hometown to start over with a bridal salon.

Cody Manning has been away from town for ten years. He was injured trying to save a woman’s life and he’s hoping to heal from the gunshot wound (a real scar for this man!). Nikki is back so he’s wondering if that love he had for her years ago, can be brought back to life again.

With some sparring and struggle, both Nikki and Cody realize there are sparks, but can these wounded people foster a fresh love in spite of distrust, fears from the past and money challenges?

You’ll have to read it to find out! I’m a dog and I’m going to give bones like Spatzle used to, because apparently I look a little like him and I do love my bully rings which are kind of like a bone. This book gets five bones! Even though none of this helped me relax and stay out of mischief, but someone has to keep mom on her toes!

Marley’s Remarks: Recipes and Redemption (Book Review)

Apr5
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Marley’s Remarks: Recipes and Redemption (Book Review)

Hi, I’m Marley, a nine-year-old Teddy Bear (Bichon Frise/Shih Tzu) that was recently adopted by Susan. She’s keeping me busy with trying to teach the younger member of the pack how to be a dog, but then  she conscripted me to write this review as well. Apparently, it is the job of at least one of the dogs in the pack to do this, but since most of the time I get to sleep under her desk in a comfy bed while she works, I suppose I can oblige her. Maybe, at some point Oliver will be old enough to share the duties. We’ll see.

Karen Malley’s second installment of her Chester County Couples romances is out! What a sweet thing to finally get to read Erin’s story in Recipes and Redemption. Erin was a secondary character in the first book Moonlight and Mystery. You can find the series prequel, Lilacs and Love Letters at her blog and read it for free!!!

Erin is a widow with a young son and now has her brother’s girlfriend, Beth, as her roommate. She’s started a catering business in her home with the help of Beth. Having loved and lost in the recent past she has no dreams of ever finding love a second time around.

Rusty is a friend of her brother. Funny and loyal, he is a fan of her cooking and willing to be there whenever she has a need. But he longs for much more with the lovely widow. He rises to the occasion to rescue her when she turns to him more than once for help.

With yummy food, danger, a near-death experience, unexpected surprises from Erin’s past, difficult choices and a crisis of faith, Karen Malley weaves a tale that will keep you reading and wondering just how, if ever, will the sweet widow realize the man she really loves has been there all along?

Now, I’m only a dog and new at this book review business, but because mom snuggled me while reading it and the responsibility for this review, I will say that it’s a good book worthy of snuggle time with a dog because no dog wants a book that the reader will put down quickly and disrupt snuggles. So, I’ll give it four paw prints… because that’s all the feet I have available. Go get this book and do the author a big favor: if you enjoy it, write a review on Amazon!

 

Spatzle Speaks: An Escape for Ellie (Book Review)

Nov20
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Susan Karsten has released her third and final installment in the Honor’s Point Regency series, An Escape for Ellie. If you’ve enjoyed her series to date, you’ll not want to miss the final installment!

Ellie has been seeking shelter at Honor’s point, avoiding an unwanted engagement, but it seems her location has been discovered so she runs away and right in the carriage of Lord Dare and his sweet aunt.

Without giving away her story, she engages to become a companion to this older woman. She reads stories to her by day and writes them at night because she’s a budding novelist.

Lord Dare, however, is not so sanquine about the new addition to his household. His own love betrayed he struggles to resist the winning and sweet Ellie.

With unspoken secrets on the part of all three, and a devious plot by her parents, adventure lies ahead. Will Ellie and Lord Dare find their way to true love in spite of the obstacles? And when the truth is revealed by everyone, can love prevail?

My mom really enjoyed this series and loved this final installment so you’ll want to get a copy! I give it five bones because I’m a dog, and I don’t have thumbs or do stars.

Spatzle Baganz, book reviewer for the silygoos blog because that’s how we roll.

Spatzle Speaks: Following the Sparrows (Book Review)

Nov5
Reading Time: 2 minutes

My mom met a new author, Karen Malley, last year and discovered she has a fabulous skill for story-telling. She was late posting this because we adopted another old dog (I’m not THAT old). Benji’s been keeping us busier than usual! So here is Following the Sparrows by Karen Malley!

Kathryn Baker has a secret. Not even her husband knows but it’s been a struggle for them both. When her husband is killed in a tragic accident she works even harder hoping to make up for the sins of her past. A handsome stranger challenges everything she thought was true.

Adam Harrison has his own past to overcome but he’s clinging to Jesus and waiting for Him to reveal Adam’s purpose. Maybe it’s to help Katheryn to know God? But what if he falls in love with her? When will she share her dark secret?

Adam and Kathryn grow closer. A puppy dog, an accident, and a crisis of faith all complicate things and makes this a book you’ll want to keep reading. The great news is it is the first in a series of three books!

You won’t want to miss this one! I give it five bones, because I’m a dog and that’s how I roll!

Spatzle Baganz, book reviewer for the silygoos blog because that’s how we roll.

The Metaphor of Steel in Sofi’s Bridge (Blog Hop)

Apr24

Reading Time: 4 minutes

The main theme of Sofi’s Bridge is how people deal with grief and trauma. Can grief make us stronger, or cause us to collapse? Each major character brings their own struggle with grief to create this plot.

Neil: This Irish physician is wanted by the British police for the murder of a man who had previously caused the death of Neil’s father. Neil, still buckling under the guilt of losing control of his emotions on the night his father died, explains how many men deal with grief in this excerpt:

Neil wrapped an arm around Sofi’s shoulders. “From my observation, females tend to worry over their grief, keeping it to themselves. Not like men who battle against their trauma with exploits. Not always the right kind of exploits, mind you. Trying to force things. Make things right. Seeking revenge.” His brows pulled together, and his eyes grew bleak.

Sofi: When Sofi’s father drowns, she takes on the role of savior in her family. By suppressing her own grief, the toxins of Sofi’s sadness are building, and may cause her to collapse. Or perhaps, Sofi will learn in good time to express her grief, and with the Lord’s strength be there for her family in their time of need, and also in time to save the bridge she designed.

Sofi’s Sister: Trina personifies the well-documented syndrome of Post Traumatic Stress. After observing her father’s drowning, Trina becomes almost catatonic, and their Seattle physician wants to treat her at an asylum for the mentally unstable. Seeing this, Neil, who is pretending to be their gardener, cannot ignore his Hippocratic oath. Plus, his overwhelming personality trait to give aid, even while placing himself in danger, is the catalyst that propels Sofi and Neil to flee to the
Cascade Mountains with her sister Trina.

Sofi’s mother Roselle: Another favorite secondary character of mine, reacts to the grief of losing her husband by becoming addicted to physician-prescribed Laudanum.

https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vAbsfYcRp2k/WPVkeIUlYmI/AAAAAAAABiw/nteCZSSydhMA9PIcxG21JEWcIEyg57AtACEw/s320/Bridge%2Bphoto.jpg

The metaphor of steel: Throughout these character’s lives, in the center of the story, stands the bridge that Sofi designed, but which her father’s business partner has taken control of. But is the steel being used to build her bridge strong enough? Has the metal been fired long enough in the foundry to refine it so that it is strong enough to convey people to safety?

The steel in Sofi’s bridge is the metaphor for grief and trauma, asking the questions: Does God use our canyons of pain to refine us, make us strong enough for the labor of our heart that He places in our lives?

About Christine:

Irish-born Christine Lindsay is the author of multi-award-winning Christian fiction and non-fiction. Readers describe her writing as gritty yet tender, realistic yet larger than life, with historical detail that collides into the heart of psychological and relationship drama.<br />

Christine’s fictional novels have garnered the ACFW Genesis Award, The Grace Award, Canada’s The Word Guild Award, and was a finalist twice for Readers’ Favorite as well as 2nd place in RWA’s Faith Hope and Love contest.

This author’s non-fiction memoir Finding Sarah Finding Me is the true-life story that started this award-winning career in Christian fiction and non-fiction. This book is a must for anyone whose life has been touched by adoption. Christine is currently writing a new fictional series set on the majestic coast of Ireland and loaded with her use of setting as a character that will sweep the reader away. Subscribe to her newsletter on her website www.christinelindsay.org

About the Book:

Seattle Debutante Sofi Andersson will do everything in her power to protect her sister who is suffering from shock over their father’s death. Charles, the family busy-body, threatens to lock Trina in a sanatorium—a whitewashed term for an insane asylum—so Sofi will rescue her little sister, even if it means running away to the Cascade Mountains with only the new gardener Neil Macpherson to protect them.

But in a cabin high in the Cascades, Sofi begins to recognize that the handsome immigrant from Ireland harbors secrets of his own. Can she trust this man whose gentle manner brings such peace to her traumatized sister and such tumult to her own emotions? And can Nei, the gardener
continue to hide from Sofi that he is really Dr. Neil Galloway, a man wanted for murder by the British police? Only an act of faith and love will bridge the distance that separates lies from truth and safety.

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