An Ivy Hill Christmas (Tales from Ivy Hill) by Julie Klassen book review

An Ivy Hill Christmas

(Tales from Ivy Hill)

by

Julie Klassen

Richard Brockwell, the younger son of Ivy Hill's most prominent family, hasn't been home for Christmas in years. He prefers to live in the London townhouse, far away from Brockwell Court, the old family secret that haunts him, and the shadows of his past mistakes. But then his mother threatens to stop funding his carefree life--unless he comes home for Christmas. Out of options, he sets out for Ivy Hill, planning to be back on a coach bound for London and his unencumbered bachelor life as soon as the festivities are over.

But Christmas in the country presents unforeseen surprises, including encounters with an orphaned apprentice, the first love he disappointed years ago, and Arabella Awdry, a young lady who is far more appealing than he recalled . . . and determined to have nothing to do with him.

Will Christmastime in Ivy Hill, with its village charm, kissing boughs, joyous songs, and divine hope, work its magic in his heart . . . and hers as well?

 

My Review: 8/10 

 

I know it's only October but this novel really put me in the spirit of Christmas. And in the midst of what feels like a never ending global pandemic, the concept of cozy house parties, large family meals, gatherings, and outings filled me with good cheer. It let me live vicariously through characters who could travel, hug, dance and physically be close to one another.

I liked Richard with his scrooge-y attitude and I admired Arabella's convictions and fortitude. They both experienced personal growth. I found Richard's point of view refreshing. His outlook and concerns were not common for the hero of these kinds of stories. And I thoroughly loved the unorthodox ending.

*SPOILERS*

On a minor side note, I didn't like the random uncited use of lines from Pride and Prejudice. I felt it cheapened Arabella's own unique voice. And, as she never reminded me of Lizzie Bennet, it felt especially out of place.

The Kissing Tree: Four Novellas Rooted in Timeless Love by Karen Witemeyer, Regina Jennings , Amanda Dykes , Nicole Deese book review

The Kissing Tree: Four Novellas Rooted in Timeless Love

by

Karen Witemeyer (Goodreads Author),

Regina Jennings (Goodreads Author),

Amanda Dykes (Goodreads Author),

Nicole Deese (Goodreads Author)

 

Bestselling novelist Karen Witemeyer joins award-winning authors Regina Jennings, Amanda Dykes, and Nicole Deese for this Texas-sized romance novella collection. Each of the authors' unique voices is on display in stories where courting couples leave a permanent mark of their love by carving their initials into the same oak's bark.

In Regina Jennings' Broken Limbs, Mended Fences, a small-town teacher has her credentials questioned by a traveling salesman.

Karen Witemeyer's The Kissing Tree Inn tells the tale of an unlikely woman building a very unexpected lover's retreat.

From Roots to Sky by Amanda Dykes follows a young WWII naval airman who heads to Texas to meet the sister of a lost compatriot.

Heartwood by Nicole Deese is a modern-day romance where the aftermath of a giant storm brings changes for the owner of a historic inn.

 

 

 

My Review: 8.5/10

I look forward to these novella collections every year. Usually at least one of my favorite authors and hopefully a couple of new ones to discover. If I'm lucky, they are only new to me and I have a bunch of previously published works waiting for me.

They are quick, sweet reads and having different authors collaborate really makes the distinct stories (characters) stand out.

This set has common roots (see what I did there?) but spans a rather long chunk of time.

Broken Limbs, Mended Fences
I'm partial to this time period and this author. Bella's opening scene was definitely memorable. She truly had some challenges in her story and I was interested to see how she would adapt and what she would ultimately choose. I suppose the same should be said of Adam. I loved the unique supporting characters as well. This story had plenty of heart and humor, what a great way to start. "Tree of Shame" hahaha.

The Kissing Tree Inn
I loved the way the first story grew into this one. I appreciated the mention of former characters and I adored Phoebe (and her dad) and Barnabas. I loved her quick wit, poor taste in design, humility, and whimsy. Barnabas was very different but complemented her so well. I enjoyed reading from his POV too (rare for me), as it was so contrary to Phoebe's.

From Roots to Sky
This author was new to me and a little more contemporary than I usually go (1940s), but it was well written. I found the story intense and full of sadness, despite our heroine, Hannah's, energy and hope. It was still a sweet story that deals gently with loss and purpose.

Heartwood
This author was also new to me and set in modern times. This one had similar themes of loss and purpose, of healing and adapting.  I liked Griffin's character. The book felt well researched. What a cool job arborist would be. Without giving anything away, I have to say I liked the way some of the loose ends were tied up but not others. I'd gotten attached and while I know some things just can't last forever, they can in my mind... as long as the author doesn't disabuse me of the notion.

A Captain for Caroline Gray by Julie Wright book review

 

A Captain for Caroline Gray

by

Julie Wright 

Regency London

Caroline Gray’s third season in London society ends as badly as her first two—no marriage proposal, no suitor, not even a glimmer of an interested prospect. She suspects it’s because she is far too quick to speak her mind to men who are put off by her forthright opinions, her eager intellect backed by a formal education, and her unconventional ideas about the future. She is far more daring than demure to suit the taste of her class. Besides, Caroline thinks there will always be next season to find a husband.

However, her family’s dwindling income leaves Caroline with only one choice to secure her future: a one-way ticket to sail with the Fishing Fleet to India, where the son of a family friend waits. If the match doesn’t work, Caroline cannot return home.

Captain Thomas Scott loves the thrill of the open sea, and as commander of one of the ships of the “Fishing Fleet,” he ferries scores of young English girls to the shores of India to find husbands. The voyages pay well, but he struggles to understand why families would allow young women to be matched with total strangers so far away.

The trips have always been routine and uneventful—until this trip’s first night’s dinner with one Miss Caroline Gray. She engages in a lively political conversation, presenting opposing viewpoints to the conventionally opinionated gentlemen at her table. Captain Scott is secretly amused and delighted at her boldness, not to mention quite drawn to her beauty.

The rest of the passengers are shocked by her behavior and Caroline finds herself an outcast, suffering harsh judgments from the other passengers. However, she finds an unlikely ally in Captain Scott which quickly draws them closer.

Both know an arranged marriage awaits Caroline at the end of their voyage, yet the attraction between them is undeniable. Caroline will have to decide if she will honor her mother’s wishes and marry a man in India whom she has never met—thus securing a future for her and her mother—or be brave enough to throw convention to the wind and commit to love a sea captain. He may be enchanted by her bold and unconventional ways, but will his love and admiration last?

 

 

My review: 8.5/10

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. We got off to a bit of a rocky start, with a little too much immediate interest on one side. This gave me a bad taste, assuming things were going to fall into line and play out the same way they had in countless other similar stories. But I was wrong. While there were some over the top moments and a few cliches, Caroline is a steady, interesting character. She is capable of being wrong... and admitting it. And better, she is capable of change. I saw a lot of growth in her, through each of her relationships. I appreciated the realistic depictions of life on a ship (good, bad, and ugly) and that supporting characters had depth and shades of gray to them as well.