Category Archives: Thomas Nelson Publishing

April 15, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: When Stars Rain Down by Angela Jackson-Brown

Title: When Stars Rain Down by Angela Jackson-Brown
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Historical, Fiction
Length: 368 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

In When Stars Rain Down, Angela Jackson-Brown introduces readers to a small, Southern town grappling with haunting questions still relevant today—and to a young woman whose search for meaning resonates across the ages.

This summer has the potential to change everything.

The summer of 1936 in Parsons, Georgia, is unseasonably hot, and Opal Pruitt senses a nameless storm brewing. She hopes this foreboding feeling won’t overshadow her upcoming eighteenth birthday or the annual Founder’s Day celebration in just a few weeks. She and her Grandma Birdie work as housekeepers for the white widow Miss Peggy, and Opal desperately wants some time to be young and carefree with her cousins and friends.

But when the Ku Klux Klan descends on Opal’s neighborhood, the tight-knit community is shaken in every way possible. Parsons’s residents—both Black and white—are forced to acknowledge the unspoken codes of conduct in their post-Reconstruction era town. To complicate matters, Opal finds herself torn between two unexpected romantic interests—the son of her pastor, Cedric Perkins, and the grandson of the woman she works for, Jimmy Earl Ketchums. Both young men awaken emotions Opal has never felt before.

Review:

When Stars Rain Down by Angela Jackson-Brown is a captivating historical novel that is socially relevant in today’s world.

In 1936, Opal Pruitt is looking forward to her eighteenth birthday. She lives with family matriarch Bridie and they both work for Miss Peggy. Although the Pruitt family is close-knit, Birdie is very independent and knows her own mind.  The family is very protective of Opal  but they cannot shield her from volatile racial violence that is about to boil over.

Opal is a hardworking young woman who loves her Granny dearly. She has lived a fairly sheltered life and Granny keeps a close eye on her. Opal has a soft spot for Miss Peggy’s grandson Jimmy Earl Ketchums but they can never be anything but friends. The preacher’s son Cedric Perkins makes no effort to hide his interest in her, but will Granny agree to let Opal spend time with him?

The annual Parsons Founder’s Day celebration is coming up, but trouble is looming on the horizon. Word gets back to Granny that the Ku Klux Klan is planning to ride through their part of town. Outside of property damage, they emerge from the frightening ordeal unscathed. But Opal has caught the attention of someone who believes she is his for the taking, and tensions rise after she assaulted. When the situation eventually turns violent, everyone’s lives are forever changed.

When Stars Rain Down is a thoroughly engrossing novel with a storyline that is timeless. The characters are extremely well-drawn with relatable strengths and weaknesses. The plot is multi-layered and could easily take place today. The setting is easy to visualize and springs vibrantly to life. Angela Jackson-Brown brings this heartfelt novel to a poignant conclusion. I absolutely loved and highly recommend this incredible novel.

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Filed under Angela Jackson Brown, Contemporary, Fiction, Historical, Historical (20s), Rated B+, Review, Thomas Nelson Publishing, When Stars Rain Down

March 16, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: The Girl in the Painting by Tea Cooper

Title: The Girl in the Painting by Tea Cooper
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Historical, Australian Fiction
Length: 383 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Netgalley

Summary:

A young prodigy in need of family.

A painting that shatters a woman’s peace.

And a decades-old mystery demanding to be solved.

Australia, 1906

Orphan Jane Piper is nine years old when philanthropist siblings Michael and Elizabeth Quinn take her into their home to further her schooling. The Quinns are no strangers to hardship. Having arrived in Australia as penniless immigrants, they now care for others as lost as they once were.

Despite Jane’s mysterious past, her remarkable aptitude for mathematics takes her far over the next seven years, and her relationship with Elizabeth and Michael flourishes as she plays an increasingly prominent part in their business.

But when Elizabeth reacts in terror to an exhibition at the local gallery, Jane realizes no one knows Elizabeth after all—not even Elizabeth herself. As the past and present converge and Elizabeth’s grasp on reality loosens, Jane sets out to unravel her story before it’s too late.

From the gritty reality of the Australian goldfields to the grand institutions of Sydney, this compelling novel presents a mystery that spans continents and decades as both women finally discover a place to call home.

Review:

Based around true life events, The Girl in the Painting by Tea Cooper is a captivating historical novel.

In 1862, fifteen year old Michael Quinn and his five year old sister Elizabeth set sail from Britain for Australia to join their parents. Upon arrival in Sydney, Michael leaves Elizabeth in the care of the Cameron family while he travels to the goldfields to locate their parents. After making a tragic discovery, Michael successfully builds a family business in Hill End. When Elizabeth joins him, she divides her time between school and working as a bookkeeper for their business.  A few years later, Michael and Elizabeth relocate to Maitland where they begin a new business and become philanthropists.

In the early 1900s, Michael and Elizabeth bring ten year old Jane Piper into their home to provide her with an education and hopefully set her up in a career when she is older. Jane has lived her entire life in a local orphanage and she has an aptitude for numbers. She is very intelligent, straight forward and full of life. Although the Quinn’s do not adopt her, Jane is part of their family.

In 1913, Jane and Elizabeth visit a local exhibit which includes an archaeological find, paintings and taxidermy. Jane is shocked to discover Elizabeth cowering in fear and repeating a strange word.  Because Elizabeth remains troubled and unlike herself, Michael reveals a secret he has been keeping for decades. After telling his sister, he then confides in Jane in hopes the two of them will find answers that might bring their beloved Elizabeth peace and comfort.

The Girl in the Painting is a thoroughly enchanting historical novel that is rife with historical details. From Sydney to the goldfields to Maitland, this enthralling novel springs vibrantly to life. Elizabeth and Michael are wonderfully drawn characters who are altruistic and charming. Jane is a breath of fresh air as tackles everything in her life with enthusiasm.  With an unexpected plot twist, Tea Cooper brings this enthralling novel to a heartfelt conclusion. I absolutely loved and highly recommend this brilliant historical novel.

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Filed under Fiction, Historical, Rated B+, Review, Tea Cooper, The Girl in the Painting, Thomas Nelson Publishing

March 1, 2021 · 12:01 am

Review: The Incredible Winston Browne by Sean Dietrich

Title: The Incredible Winston Browne by Sean Dietrich
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Historical (’50s), Fiction
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Beloved writer Sean Dietrich—also known as Sean of the South—will warm your heart with this rich and nostalgic tale about community, kindness, and the meaning of the everyday incredible.

In the small, sleepy town of Moab, Florida, folks live for ice cream socials, Jackie Robinson, and the local paper’s weekly gossip column. For decades, Sheriff Winston Browne has watched over Moab with a generous eye, and by now he’s used to handling the daily dramas that keep life interesting for Moab’s quirky residents. But just after Winston receives some terrible, life-altering news, a feisty little girl with mysterious origins shows up in his best friend’s henhouse. Suddenly Winston has a child in desperate need of protection—as well as a secret of his own to keep.

With the help of Moab’s goodhearted townsfolk, the humble and well-meaning Winston Browne still has some heroic things to do. He finds romance, family, and love in unexpected places. He stumbles upon adventure, searches his soul, and grapples with the past. In doing so, he just might discover what a life well-lived truly looks like

Review:

The Incredible Winston Browne by Sean Dietrich is a heartwarming novel which takes places in the mid-1950s.

Fifty-two-year-old Winston Browne is the beloved sheriff in his hometown of Moab. He is more than just a lawman; he is caretaker for its residents. Winston does everything he can to keep the town’s boys out of trouble and he assists in forming a Little League team.  After having his heartbroken, Winston has no interest in getting hurt again. But after escorting Eleanor Hughes to a town social, the two begin spending time together (much to the dismay of his best friend Jimmy Abraham). When nine year old runaway Jesse finds her way to Moab, Eleanor and Winston offer her a place to stay.  Jesse remains tight-lipped about her past until it catches up with her. With danger coming their way, will Winston, his deputy Tommy Sheridan and Eleanor keep Jesse safe from the people searching for her?

Winston is a warm-hearted, compassionate man who spends long hours keeping Moab safe. He also delivers groceries to the elderly and takes fourteen-year-old Buz Guilford under his wing. After receiving unexpected news, he is a little more willing to give love a chance. Winston reassesses some of his life choices and with a newfound perspective, he decides to take a few more risks than he normally would.

Eleanor has been going out with Jimmy for most of her adult life.  But she is growing tired of his unwillingness to marry her. After an evening of dancing with Winston, Eleanor resolves to make changes in her life. So, when Winston continues to visit her, she decides to see where their relationship takes them.  When Jesse initially comes to live with her, Eleanor is definitely out of her element. But she allows the young girl to keep her secrets and Eleanor discovers how much she likes caring for her. With Jesse spending a lot of time with Winston, she despairs of the girl’s tomboy ways.

With a hint of mystery and a dash of danger, The Incredible Winston Browne is a captivating novel that is very touching. The characters are wonderfully developed with an array of flaws and strengths. Moab is an idyllic setting and springs vividly to life. The storyline is well-developed and thought-provoking.  Sean Dietrich brings this heartfelt novel to a poignant yet gratifying conclusion.

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Filed under Fiction, Historical, Historical (50s), Rated B+, Sean Dietrich, The Incredible Winston Browne, Thomas Nelson Publishing

October 26, 2020 · 11:58 pm

Review: Autumn Skies by Denise Hunter

Title: Autumn Skies by Denise Hunter
Bluebell Inn Romance Series Book Three
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Contemporary, Inspirational Romance
Length: 304 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

From the bestselling author of The Convenient Groom and A December Bride (now beloved Hallmark Original movies) comes the third and final novel in the Bluebell Inn series!

When a mysterious man turns up at Grace’s family-run inn, it’s instant attraction. But she’s already got a lot on her plate: running the Bluebell Inn, getting Blue Ridge Outfitters off the ground, and coping with a childhood event she’d thought was long past.

A gunshot wound has resurrected the past for secret service agent Wyatt Jennings, and a mandatory leave of absence lands him in Bluebell, North Carolina. There he must try and come to grips with the crisis that altered his life forever.

Grace needs experience for her new outfitters business, so when Wyatt needs a mountain guide, she’s more than happy to step up to the plate. As their journey progresses, Grace soon has an elusive Wyatt opening up, and Wyatt is unwittingly drawn to Grace’s fresh outlook and sense of humor.

There’s no doubt the two have formed a special bond, but will Wyatt’s secrets bring Grace’s world crashing down? Or will those secrets end up healing them both?

Review:

Autumn Skies by Denise Hunter is a heartwarming romance with a gentle undercurrent of faith. Although this newest release is the third book in the Bluebell Inn Romance series, it can be read as a standalone.

After four years of hard work, Grace Bennett and her siblings, Levi and Molly, are ready to put their successful B&B up for sale.  Following their tragic loss, they completed their parents’ goal of turning the family home into an inn. Levi, Molly and Grace are, at long last, ready to move on to the dreams each of them have willingly put on hold.

Now twenty-one, Grace has worked hard to get her business, Blue Ridge Outfitters, up and running. She has plans for the next step in her life but she is a little nervous about moving forward. Grace is confident and happy, but a couple of incidents bring up long ago memories that continue to haunt her.

Secret Service Agent Wyatt Jennings is unexpectedly coping with a long unresolved issue following an incident while on the job.  When his boss forces him to take time off, Wyatt decides it is time to find some closure.  Returning to Bluebell, NC, he impulsively decides to stay at the Bluebell Inn. Feeling much older than his years and a bit world weary, Wyatt is surprised by his interest in Grace.

Grace is supportive of Wyatt’s quest and she volunteers to aid him as he searches for the place where his life took a shocking turn. Wyatt is impressed by Grace’s maturity and how down to earth she is. They perfectly complement one another and prove to be incredibly helpful as each of them face their painful pasts. As Grace and Wyatt get to know one another, they both fight their unanticipated attraction to one another. Despite their deepening feelings, Grace and Wyatt cannot see any chance of a future together. Or is there?

Autumn Skies is a sweet romance with plenty of depth and substance. The storyline is well-developed with realistic issues for Grace and Wyatt to overcome.  Grace and Wyatt are three-dimensional characters who spring vibrantly to life. The Bluebell Inn and surrounding area provide a tranquil backdrop for the unfolding story. With a delightful plot twist,  Denise Hunter brings this final installment in the Bluebell Inn Romance series to an uplifting, heartfelt conclusion.  Old and new fans are sure to love this charming  faith-based romance.

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Filed under Autumn Skies, Bluebell Inn Romance Series, Contemporary, Denise Hunter, Inspirational, Rated B, Rated B+, Review, Thomas Nelson Publishing

July 12, 2020 · 11:57 pm

Review: How Sweet It Is by Robin Lee Hatcher

Title: How Sweet It Is by Robin Lee Hatcher
Legacy of Faith Series Book Three
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Contemporary, Christian, Romance
Length: 304 pages
Book Rating: B

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

He lost his brother. She lost her dream. Together, they might find what they’re really looking for.

Holly Stanford is doing the best she can with the restaurant she inherited from her late uncle. But after her fiancé abandons her and the business, Holly regrets having given up her dream of becoming a pastry chef. Now a few bad financial decisions might cost her everything, including her hope for the future.

Jed Henning has done well with his new company despite his prodigal brother’s behavior. When Jed‘s father, the controlling member of the board of directors, temporarily suspends operations until his sons work out their differences, Jed resentfully chases his brother, Chris, to Boise. There Jed rents a basement apartment from Holly and hopes to convince Chris to get his act together before their company collapses.

Unaware that Holly is the one person who can help him get through to Chris, Jed starts the tough work of reconciliation armed with little more than a few family photographs, a stack of old letters, and a Bible that belonged to his great-grandfather, Andrew Henning. And as romance blossoms between Holly and Jed, the story of Jed’s great-grandfather highlights the power of God across the generations and the legacy of a family’s courageous faith.

Review:

How Sweet It Is by Robin Lee Hatcher is a heartwarming novel of love, healing and faith. Although this latest release is the third novel in the Legacy of Faith series, it can be read as a standalone. However I recommend the previous two novels for important back story.

Jed Henning  is fuming over his brother Chris’s disappearance. Jed is the owner of a gaming company but Chris is the man who creates the games. With their father pressuring him to bring Chris home, Jed discovers his brother is currently in Boise, ID. The Henning family used to live in the area and many members of Jed’s extended family still reside close by. During a visit with his cousin Ben,  Jed is surprised when Ben passes their  great-great grandfather Andrew’s Bible to him.  While going through old family letters and photos, he finds the address of his great-great grandparents first apartment in Boise.  Jed is delighted the house is still there and after meeting the current owner, Holly Stanford, he  rents the basement apartment. Will Jed find a reason to stay in Boise when he is unexpectedly drawn to his temporary landlady?

A year after her engagement ended, Holly is still struggling with trust issues. She is also exhausted as she tries to keep the restaurant her ex-fiancé talked her into opening afloat. Although the business is continuing to grow, she is finding hiring and keeping staff while running the business exhausting. Holly is also frustrated that does not have time to devote to her true love: baking.  Despite her lack of time, she teaches women from a local shelter to cook. And Holly also makes attending church a priority.

While reading through Andrew’s bible, Jed realizes that more than his relationship with Chris has suffered since opening his business. Working long hours, Jed does not make time for church or studying scripture. He enjoys getting to know his great-great grandfather through the notes he writes by Bible passages. But more importantly, Jed recommits to his faith and attends church with Ben.

In between reconnecting to his faith and family, Jed continues reaching out to Chris, but his brother remains elusive. He also gets to know Holly better and the more time they spend together, Jed is surprised by how comfortable he is with her.  Holly enjoys Jed’s company, but she is skittish and afraid to trust her own judgment. As they begin to fall for one another, will Holly be able to leave her doubts behind and take a chance on love?

With a gentle undercurrent of faith, How Sweet It Is is a hopeful journey of self discovery, family and love.  Jed and Holly are wonderfully drawn characters whose struggles are realistically depicted.  Their romance blossoms quickly but their feelings for one another ring true.  Flashbacks to Andrew and his wife Helen take place in the late-sixties and detail their poignant stage in their life’s journey. Old and new fans of  Robin Lee Hatcher’s Legacy of Faith series  are sure to enjoy this final installment of this superb series.

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Filed under Christian, Contemporary, How Sweet It Is, Legacy of Faith Series, Rated B, Review, Robin Lee Hatcher, Romance, Thomas Nelson Publishing

July 1, 2020 · 11:57 pm

Review: Steadfast Mercy by Ruth Reid

Title: Steadfast Mercy by Ruth Reid
Amish Mercies Series Book Three
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Genre: Contemporary, Amish, Romance
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

She’d told herself she’d never go back home. But that was before the accident—before life changed forever.

After the tragic death of her parents, Jonica Muller must return to the Amish community she left in shame. Tasked with settling her father’s estate, she plans to keep her visit as brief as possible so she can return to start a life with Ephraim, a widower who has offered her and her five-year-old son the stability of a family.

But Jonica’s childhood home in Posen, Michigan, won’t let her go so quickly. Her father’s sister, Aenti Edna, is showing signs of a slipping mind. To Jonica’s alarm, Edna’s begun entertaining a mysterious redheaded Englischer who has unclear intentions toward the aging woman and the Mullers’ property.

Caleb is a young farmer working Edna’s land, trying to hide his own secret shame from his family and his girlfriend, Darleen. But when Jonica asks him to come to Edna’s aid, she unwittingly sets events in motion that change everyone’s ability to live in the shadows of their lives.

Steadfast Mercy is a tender love story at the intersection of heartbreak, forgiveness, and grace.

Review:

Steadfast Mercy by Ruth Reid is a heartfelt Amish romance of healing, forgiveness and love. Although this newest release is the third novel in the Amish Mercies series, it can be read as a standalone.

Jonica Muller and her 5 year old son Stephen return to her hometown of Posen, MI following the heartrending deaths of her parents. Her Aenti Edna lives in the family home but she would like to sell the farm and move in with her sister. Jonica is dismayed to learn her Aenti has befriended Mr. Jordan an Englischer and she has also allowed Caleb Schulmann to plant his crops in her fields. Jonica remains suspicious of Mr. Jordan and she tries to avoid Caleb as much as possible. Meanwhile, hoping to evade gossip, Jonica tries to keep her return secret from the rest of the community but a health emergency with Stephen means going into town. With news of her presence beginning to become known, will Jonica remain in Posen?

Jonica is still living with regret and shame from her choices years earlier. She also feels guilty about her parents’untimely deaths.  Jonica  is a good mom but she misses her own mother’s quiet support. She is worried about Aenti Edna’s memory lapses but Jonica remains conflicted about her plans for the future. Unexpectedly turning to Caleb for assistance, Jonica knows she feels more for him than friendship.

Caleb is no stranger to guilt since he blames himself for his brother’s death.  With a new career change, he is desperately trying to win his strict father’s approval. Caleb enjoys spending time with Jonica and Stephen but she keeps him at arms’ length.  She is also very reluctant to reveal any information about herself or Stephen.  Just as they are growing closer, outside forces and misunderstandings threaten to derail their budding romance.

Steadfast Mercy is a delightful Amish romance with an appealing cast of characters and well-developed storyline.  Caleb and Jonica are wonderful characters whose struggles with their past mistake are relatable.  With a touch of otherworldly assistance and unshakable faith, Ruth Reid brings this charming romance to a heartwarming conclusion. Old and new fans of the Amish Mercies series are sure to enjoy this latest installment.

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Filed under Amish, Amish Mercies Series, Contemporary, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Ruth Reid, Steadfast Mercy, Thomas Nelson Publishing