Tag: romance

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Second Time Around, by Melody Carlson, 2023, Revell (Baker Publishing Group)

Second time around for this old decrepit shop

Second Time Around
Second Time Around

Should there be a second time around for Mallory’s grandmother’s decrepit but quaint shop and suite above? It was too charming not to keep. Mallory Farrell, an interior designer, saw potential.

Besides, this place held nostalgic memories for her. Her grandmother must have left it to her for a reason.

But the whole seaside village was losing interest to tourists in favor of more appealing towns. Apathy had taken hold among the residents. And Grayson Matthews had already dreamed up a new mall as a revitalization scheme. It was going to be right here if she would sell him the building so he could tear it down.

What! Tear it down? No, no, no. That caused Mallory to dig in her heels. She saw romance in the old building. A peculiar definition of romance that she’d once found. She wrote it in calligraphy, framed it, and hung it on the wall.

Romance: A quality or feeling of mystery, excitement. Remoteness from everyday life.

I won’t spoil the story for you by telling you what happens to Mallory’s romantic, Parisian vision for the village. You’ll have to read it for yourself if you want to know. I’ll just tell you that I enjoyed very much being transported into Mallory’s world. Melody Carlson describes vividly the scenes and emotions of the characters.

Second time around for Mallory

I could relate to Mallory, a divorced mother of adult children, trying her best to make a go of her life. The seemingly insurmountable challenges she faces. Difficulties with people and how she handles them with a godly perspective, a combination of prayer, kindness, and drawing the line where necessary.

Thank you to Revell for choosing me to review this beautiful paperback. It’s always a pleasure to share my honest opinions and feedback. I would recommend the book to people who like interior decorating and charming shops in seaside villages. And Mallory’s peculiar definition of romance.

Click here: Second Time Around to see the book and other reviews on Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Click here: Pearl Fredericksen’s review of Second Time Around | Goodreads to see my review and others on goodreads.

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Loving Libby, by Robin Lee Hatcher, 2005, Zondervan

Loving Libby, by Robin Lee Hatcher

Libby isn’t really Libby. Or is she? Born Olivia, she has run away and changed her name to escape from a forced marriage.

Now she owns and manages a sheep ranch in a remote part of Idaho. It’s hard work and dangerous in more ways than one for a single woman. But here she finds freedom.

In 1890s high society New York she had been under the bondage of her father, who considered her a possession to profit his own interests. He would have given her away as a business arrangement. Nothing to do with love.

Years later, her father is still determined to own her, and hires investigators to search the country for her. She had already fled from place to place, but this time has been living on the ranch for several years before Remington finds her there. Remington has an agenda of his own, to get even with Olivia’s father.

The plot is complex. Just when you feel the story is nearing conclusion, there’s another twist. The author explores family relationships as they were in that time and place, but still exist in some places. Will Libby be forced to come back under her father’s control? What about her mother? And what about Remington? Will he get his revenge?

Originally published in 1995 as Liberty Blue by HarperCollins, this story continues to be relevant. What really constitutes love and should freedom exist for women? What about safety? Age-old issues for women throughout history.

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Out of the Embers, by Amanda Cabot, 2020, Revell (Baker Publishing Group)

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for a review, and I chose this one because I like historical fiction with some romance to give it spice. Speaking of which, the main character in this novel is a cook, so you can pick up a few cooking tips from her!

Out of the Embers

Although it is Book One of a series, it reads well as a stand-alone too, as all the strings are tied up at the end. The author tells you what Book Two will be about and includes the first chapter. The focus will shift onto different characters in the same town.

Out of the Embers starts with Evelyn, a young woman who works in an orphanage in 1855, with Polly, a recently orphaned little girl. They are returning to the orphanage with the horse and wagon when they discover that the orphanage has been burned to the ground and there are no survivors.

Fleeing to get away from whoever did this, they end up in a pretty ranch town at the foot of a mountain. A handsome cowboy finds them caught in a thunderstorm and invites them to his home where his mother and sister insist that they stay.

Evelyn and Polly settle in happily to Mesquite Springs but there is always this underlying fear that somebody is after them. Indeed it’s true! More than one person is after them! But I’m not giving away any spoilers, so you’ll just have to read it yourself to find out!

https://amandajoycabot.blogspot.com/2020/04/evelyns-oatmeal-pecan-pie.html?m=1 Check out this link to the recipe for Evelyn’s oatmeal pie.

https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-9212800-14380659
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