Rachelle J. Christensen

Romance, Suspense, Mystery Author

Book Review: The Watsons Go To Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

Man, I just love the Weird Watson’s! You’ll have to read the book to find out why they’re called the Weird Watson’s.

The award winning, The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis is a laugh out loud book that is hard to keep to yourself. It was a Newberry Honor and Coretta Scott King Honor book along with several other awards. You will love reading this book! Certain sequences beg to be read aloud. I was rocking my baby while reading and had to bite my tongue to keep from laughing too loud.
Curtis weaves a delightful story with so many humorous events and then ties it into a very serious event from the Civil Rights movement in Alabama. He shows how traumatic events can affect children. And then he brings back the humorous side to the story.
This is an incredible book to read and to read aloud to your kids It’s a middle-grade reader super for the whole family.
I think it’s important to read children’s books because it keeps you in touch with your child’s world. I want to encourage everyone to read with their children. Pick up a book and read to your kids. Reading to them creates a bond with you and encourages them to read on their own.
Reading brings up topics for you to discuss which may not be broached otherwise. I know from experience that reading has brought up so many ideas and philosophies I wouldn’t have considered. Reading helps you open the world for your child and see that there is so much happening around them.
Here’s more about the book:
Enter the hilarious world of ten-year-old Kenny and his family, the Weird Watsons of Flint, Michigan. There’s Momma, Dad, little sister Joetta, and brother Byron, who’s thirteen and an “official juvenile delinquent.”When Byron gets to be too much trouble, they head South to Birmingham to visit Grandma, the one person who can shape him up. And they happen to be in Birmingham when Grandma’s church is blown up.
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Book Review: Romancing Daphne by Sarah M. Eden

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

This is an excellent read, as expected for any of Sarah Eden‘s novels. I absolutely loved reading more about the Lancaster family in this sister novel to the many English sisters named after Greek Myth characters. Romancing Daphne is the story of Daphne Lancaster, the timid, quiet sister who has so much more going on her beautiful mind than others suspect. Her character is one of contrasts from the expected or perceived and the reality and James Tilburn’s character is the same, although in a very different point of conflict. There are definitely villains in this book, very well written and easy to dislike, which makes it all the more enjoyable to root for Daphne and James! One of my favorite things about Eden’s writing style is the wit and charm that she effortlessly weaves into a compelling romantic tale that is wholesome and clean. I laughed out loud in several places as I read and read every second I could grab to reach the satisfying conclusion. I love happy endings!

Here’s more about the book:

As her first London Season looms before her, the thought of the impending social whirl fills Daphne Lancaster’s timid heart with dread. She hasn’t her sisters’ beauty nor their talent for conversing easily. Even her family’s enviable connections may not be enough to prevent disaster.
But Daphne’s misery turns to surprised delight when the first even of her Season brings an unexpected visitor to her door—James Tilburn, whose tender kindness stole her heart in her youth. When the handsome young gentleman expresses his desire to court her, Daphne is elated. Their feelings for each other quickly grow, and it appears that, much to Daphne’s disbelief, her happily ever after is within reach.

Yet nothing is as it seems. The couple finds themselves caught in a tangled web of greed and deceit, leaving James and Daphne to determine whether they are willing to risk everything for true love.

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Book Review: The Secret of the India Orchid by Nancy Campbell Allen

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Book Thoughts by Rachelle

I enjoyed this book so much that I finished reading and already lent it out to my aunt! This book is part of the Proper Romance line which is a can’t miss grouping of books. This novel also has a wonderful mystery full of suspicions, clues, hints, and everything I love to keep me reading late into the night.

I loved the setting of this novel. Reading about India in a time where it was treated as almost a summer-home for the British was so interesting. The setup with Anthony Blake was well-done and I was rooting for him from the start. Sophia’s character is fresh, determined, and smart as she faces the mystery surrounding her heart, Anthony, and the deeper mystery involving murder and intrigue.
This is a satisfying read, a clean romance, and I look forward to more from Nancy Allen.

Here’s more about the book: The Secret of the India Orchid

Anthony Blake, the Earl of Wilshire, is in love with his best friend’s sister, Sophia Elliot. But his plans to court her are put on hold when he is forced to resume his role as an undercover spy for the Crown. A secret document listing the names of the entire network of British spies—including his own—has been stolen. To protect Sophia, Anthony cuts off all ties to her and exchanges his life as an honorable earl for the facade of a flirtatious playboy.
Heartbroken and confused, Sophia travels to India, hoping to find healing in one of the most exotic regions of the British Empire. But the exotic land isn’t as restful as she had hoped. Instead, she finds herself embroiled in a mystery of a missing sea captain, a possible murder, and a plot that could involve the prince of India. And when Anthony appears at the British Residency, asking questions and keeping his distance from her, she is stunned.
She still loves him, and, in her heart, she knows he loves her too. But how can she rebuild her relationship with him if he won’t confide in her? Does she dare offer her heart to him a second time, or will their love be lost under the India sun?
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