Rachelle J. Christensen

Romance, Suspense, Mystery Author

Book Review: From Ash and Stone by Julie Daines

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

From Ash and Stone was an incredible historical romance with so many facets in the story line that kept me intrigued! A hint of forbidden romance, danger, a curse that is a bit like uncontrolled magic, and the overarching theme of revenge and justice from Lady Margaret Gray. I enjoyed Margaret’s tenacious spirit, resourcefulness, and sometimes foolhardy attempts to avenge her family’s deaths. Mystery is woven through the story and Daines did an excellent job of keeping the tension going whether it was hinting at a kiss or stabbing someone with a dagger.

The setting in the Northumbrian hills near the England/Scotland border provides an eerie look back in time to where no one was safe from the raiders. It was hard to discern who Margaret could truly trust and especially where to give her heart. This novel has a little something for everyone so I’m sure you’ll enjoy it too!

Here’s more about the book:

Lady Margaret Grey of Hartfell wants for nothing. The daughter of a knight, she has a loving family, wealth, and even a secret romance with the blacksmith’s son. But all that is torn from her one fateful night when her home is attacked and her family killed. She is left with nothing but bitterness, an unwavering mistrust of men, and a strange and mysterious curse that allows her to feel the thoughts of anyone who touches her.

Now, after six years away, Margaret is returning home for one reason: revenge. She hopes that by avenging her family’s deaths, she will somehow be freed from her curse. But it won’t be easy. The identities of the raiders are still unknown, she has little left to her name, and traveling alone in the Northumbrian hills during the border wars is dangerous. Matters are further complicated by handsome Angus Robson, a Scotsman whose charm threatens to distract her from her plans. But the raiders are closer than she knows, and Margaret soon realizes that what she believed to be a curse may be the key to finding those she seeks. One touch will reveal the truth . . .

Other books you may enjoy:

   

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Book Review: Elevated by Elana Johnson

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

I’m excited to share another fab read today–this one especially for young adults. I wasn’t sure how immersed I would be in this novel, Elevated, because it’s written entirely in verse, but since I read the whole thing in one day, I think that pretty much explains that it draws you in and doesn’t let you go. Elana Johnson is skilled at writing teenage characters with depth and strong emotion. This story has a little bit of everything and it moves quickly. Getting to know Elly and all of her secrets was intriguing and touching at the same time. I discovered that I really liked the style of the book written in verse and the way Elana uses words in such a succinct way to relay a powerful story is impressive.

I’d like to note that there is mention of sexual activity in this book and ensuing consequences and I think it was well-written and done in such a way that I would still consider this a clean read.

I’m excited to see what Elana Johnson has coming next for readers. If you haven’t read her work, be sure to check out the links in this post to learn more about this incredible author!

Here’s more about the book:

The last person seventeen-year-old Eleanor Livingston wants to see on the elevator—let alone get stuck with—is her ex-boyfriend Travis.

Plagued with the belief that when she speaks the truth, bad things happen, Elly hasn’t spoken to Trav in five months. Nothing about why she broke up with him and cut off all contact. Not what happened the day her father returned from his deployment to Afghanistan. And certainly not that she misses him and still thinks about him everyday.

But when they get trapped together in an elevator, Elly’s worried she won’t be able to contain her secrets for long. She’s terrified of finally revealing the truth, because she can’t bear to watch a tragedy befall the boy she still loves.

Other books you may enjoy:

Just Friends: YA Contemporary Romance Kindle Edition   

Visit Rachelle’s Book Review Page to see all reviews HERE.

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Monday Musings #24

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Monday Musings with Rachelle

Happy Valentine’s Day!

I love my family and my sweet kids. It’s always so much fun watching my kids fill out Valentine’s for their classes. It brought back a sweep of memories as I watched them sort through the cards and choose just the right one for each person in the class. I remember doing that!

I remember trying to find just the right card for the boy that I had a crush on–one that wasn’t too obvious, but also conveyed some subliminal cue that I was definitely someone he should notice.

I also remember selecting the most special card for my best friends–ones that conveyed a message of how glad I was to have such great friends.

To all of my followers and friends — thank you. I appreciate what you add to my life and I hope that you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day 2019!

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Chautauqua Writers Workshop

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Writing Tips:

Almost 10 years ago, I had the chance to attend the Writers Workshop at Chautauqua and I was so excited for this opportunity.

I’ve been on an email list receiving writing tips and conference info from the Highlights organization for over a very long time and had often drooled over their conferences, but never thought it was a possibility.

At the beginning of that year, I read about how there were scholarships available for this amazing week-long conference and so I decided, What the heck, and I applied for a scholarship.

A few months later, in late March, I received word that I had been awarded a scholarship. I was excited, amazed, and didn’t know what to do because when I had applied I wasn’t pregnant, but by the time I was awarded the scholarship, I was. I have difficult pregnancies, and I also had three little kids at home at the time, so I didn’t know what to do, but it was the chance of a lifetime.

So I began making plans and arrangements and went on to have an amazing experience in New York.

The point is, if you have a dream, follow it! There are often surprising ways to make those dreams come true.

Visit Rachelle’s For Writers Page to find more resources HERE

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Book Review: Longing for Home by Sarah M. Eden

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle


First off, let me tell you that Sarah is a phenomenal writer. I have loved every book she has written. Her attention to detail and incredible gift at crafting historical romances never ceases to amaze me.

After reading Longing For Home, I have a hankering to visit Ireland, and I’m betting you will too! I love a good romance, but the plot must have some meat in it for me to chew on while reading. Sarah provides a backdrop from history of the discrimination the Irish faced upon landing on American soil. Katie is a heroine full of spunk and Irish fire and I loved everything she had to say.

This book will warm your heart, stir the embers of history, and leave you longing for more, which Sarah delivers in the sequel.

Here’s more about the book:

Though she was only a child during the darkest days of Ireland’s Great Famine, Katie Macauley feels responsible for the loss of her family’s land and the death of her sister. Now a woman grown, Katie has left Ireland for America and the promise of earning money enough to return home again and plead for her family’s forgiveness. She arrives in Hope Springs, Wyoming Territory, a town sharply divided between the Americans who have settled there, with their deep hatred of the Irish, and the Irish immigrants who have come searching for a place to call home. Her arrival tips the precarious balance, and the feud erupts anew. Even in the midst of hatred and violence, however, Katie finds reason to hope. Two men, as different as they are intriguing, vie for her heart, turning her thoughts for the first time toward a future away from Ireland. Katie must now make the hardest decision of her life: stay and give her heart a chance at love, or return home and give her soul the possibility of peace.

Other books you may enjoy:

   

Visit Rachelle’s Book Review Page to see all reviews HERE.

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Monday Musings #23

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Monday Musings with Rachelle

It is not work that kills men, it is worry. Work is healthy; you can hardly put more on a man than he can bear. But worry is rust upon the blade. It is not movement that destroys the machinery, but friction.

–Henry Ward Beecher

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