Rachelle J. Christensen

Romance, Suspense, Mystery Author

Book Review: The Vicar’s Daughter by Josi S. Kilpack

by

Book Thoughts by Rachelle

I LOVED The Vicar’s Daughter! I loved the character of Cassie–her vibrant personality that got her into so much trouble when she was only trying to help her very shy sister Lenora to find a husband in Evan. The twist right at the beginning of the story is that Cassie starts to fall in love with Evan. I love Evan’s character as well and it was fun to read from his perspective as he tried to figure out the stark differences between “Lenora’s letters” and her real temperament in person.
I read this book quickly because I couldn’t wait to get to the happy ending. I really enjoyed the setting of this book in the countryside away from London. It’s still Regency England but the courtship process was slightly more relaxed. I also enjoyed the family that Kilpack created with Cassie having five sisters and Evan having two sisters as well. I hope there are more stories to be told from this little village! I think this is one of my favorite from the proper romance line. If you decide to read it, beware, you might fall in love with the characters too!
Here’s more about the book:
Cassie, the youngest of six daughters in the Wilton family, is bold, bright, and ready to enter society. There’s only one problem: her older sister Lenora, whose extreme shyness prevents her from attending many social events. Lenora is now entering her third season, and since their father has decreed that only one Wilton girl can be out at a time, Cassie has no choice except to wait her turn.
Evan Glenside, a soft-spoken, East London clerk, has just been named his great-uncle’s heir and, though he is eager to learn all that will be required of him, he struggles to feel accepted in a new town and in his new position.
A chance meeting between Evan and Lenora promises to change everything, but when Lenora proves too shy to pursue the relationship, Cassie begins to write Mr. Glenside letters in the name of her sister. Her good intentions lead to disaster when Cassie realizes she is falling in love with Evan. But then Evan begins to court Lenora, thinking she is the author of the letters.
As secrets are revealed, the hearts of Cassie, Evan, and Lenora are tested. Will the final letter sent by the vicar’s daughter be able to reunite the sisters as well as unite Evan with his true love?

Other books you may enjoy:

     

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

Follow Rachelle:

*Affiliate links used in post. All reviews shared are Rachelle’s honest opinion.*

Book Review: Ruth by H.B. Moore

by

Ruth by [Moore, Heather B., Moore, H. B.]Book Thoughts by Rachelle

I’ve mentioned before that I’m a huge fan of H.B. Moore AKA Heather Moore’s novels. I especially love all of her Bible and Book of Mormon fiction based on actual events. I was so excited to read her new book, Ruth, based on the Bible story of Ruth and Naomi.

First off, this cover is extraordinary! I love the artwork and the feeling it gives about the story of Ruth. This tale is familiar to me from studying the Bible, but Moore pulls in wonderful details about the customs, cultures, and the land that help me understand on a deeper level how important the choices that Ruth made were to Naomi.

This was a quick read as I found myself intrigued to know how the ancient customs might interfere with Ruth’s chance at love with Boaz. I truly appreciate Moore’s skill in bringing this event from the past to the consciousness of the reader in a way that I felt like I was viewing the events. I highly recommend Ruth by H.B. Moore and ALL of the books she’s written!

Here’s more about the book:

Master storyteller and best-selling author H.B. Moore brings to life the biblical account of Ruth as never before in this vivid retelling of her courageous and faithful life.
Following the death of Ruth’s husband, she finds herself at a crossroads. Rather than return to her family and hometown, the young widow makes a remarkable decision: she will remain with her mother-in-law, Naomi, as her caretaker and companion.
Together, the two widows boldly leave behind the lives they knew in the land of Moab and make their way to Bethlehem, arriving downtrodden and destitute. Though Ruth works day and night to provide for Naomi, it is ultimately through the kindness and generosity of Boaz that the two women find respite from their trials. As Ruth comes to know Boaz, she finds that her broken heart is beginning to heal in ways she could never have imagined. But when a question of inheritance threatens any hope of a life with Boaz, Ruth may have to give up the last piece of her heart in order to secure her future.

Other books you may enjoy:

   

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

 

Follow Rachelle:

*Affiliate links used in post. All reviews shared are Rachelle’s honest opinion.*

Don’t miss a post! Subscribe to Rachelle’s Blog.


 

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

by

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.
Other books you may enjoy:
   
Visit Rachelle’s Book Review Page to see all reviews HERE.

Follow Rachelle:

*Affiliate links used in post. All reviews shared are Rachelle’s honest opinion.*

Book Review: Even This by Emily Belle Freeman

by

Book Thoughts by Rachelle

I loved reading Even This because it was so inspiring and insightful. Every day, I took a few minutes to read and it seemed that it was exactly what I needed to hear, to feel that day. I loved the deeper understanding Emily provided as she shared personal experiences and specific points from the Bible stories that I have loved since a child. There are so many points that I highlighted and words that I keep in my heart to remind me to trust God and His goodness. The author does an excellent job of sharing insight in a way that is conversational. As I read, I felt like I was talking to one of my best friends–the ones that know me down deep and understand what needs said. This book is a gem and I’m so grateful I was given the opportunity to read it. If you’ve ever come to a place in your life where you’ve questioned if you could make it through, if God was there to guide you, to pull you, to hear you…read this book, because He is there in all things, even this.
Here’s more about the book:

In Even This, Emily Belle Freeman shares her own deeply personal experiences of feeling forgotten by God—from the fear of abandonment in a dark hospital room to the desperation that followed months of unanswered prayers. In a moment of honesty, she found herself asking the question she had been afraid to consider: “Where is God in this?”

Through biblical insight, genuine realness, and beautiful prose, Emily will help you discover how to:

  • Diminish the power of doubt by coming to understand why the place of deepest asking is where the believing begins.
  • Stop letting fear dictate the depth of your belief through simple daily reflections that will restore your confidence in God.
  • Let go of your need to control by discovering what is holding you back from being completely vulnerable in your relationship with God.

Trust that God may have something different in mind than you–something better.

Other books you may enjoy:

   

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

Follow Rachelle:

*Affiliate links used in post. All reviews shared are Rachelle’s honest opinion.*

Book Review: Wrong for You by Jenny Proctor

by

Wrong for You by [Proctor, Jenny]

Book Thoughts by Rachelle

Wrong for You was the first book that I’ve ever read by Jenny Proctor and I was so impressed that I immediately bought another one to read next, which I will tell you about! I loved the witty voice of Lane and her relationship with her Grandma in this book. The scene where we first meet the Hamilton brothers is all kinds of fun and had me immediately invested in the story. This book is fun, light, clean, and humorous, yet it has depth at the same time–a hard feat to pull off in a rom com. I admired Lane’s qualities and those of the Hamilton brothers as well. Which one of the brothers was my favorite? You’ll have to read the book to see who Lane chooses because I agree with her heart!
Both of my daughters read this book immediately after I did and they both loved it just as much as I did!
Here’s more about the book:
Lane Bishop is a hardworking, intelligent, beautiful young woman. And with her recent move to Chapel Hill, she is determined to leave behind the drama and effort of keeping up with the dating scene. Even so, Lane somehow manages to get dragged out by a gaggle of girls to go watch boys play soccer. Just watching is not Lane’s forte, so she joins in the fun and leads her team to victory.
Rather than feeling intimidated by the vivacious beauty on the opposing team, Jamie Hamilton is intrigued. Risking his “untouchable” dating status, he decides to pursue Lane—with a little help from his older brother Simon. With Simon’s behind-the-scenes assistance, Jamie proves irresistible, even to a disillusioned dater like Lane. But as she gets to know both brothers, Lane can’t help but wonder—beneath the grand gestures and romantic words, is she falling for the wrong guy?

Other great clean reads you may enjoy:

   

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

Grab these free tips from a bestselling and award-winning author HERE

Follow Rachelle:

*Affiliate links used in post. All reviews shared are Rachelle’s honest opinion.*

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

by

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?
Other books you may enjoy:
   
Visit Rachelle’s Book Review Page to see all reviews and book thoughts HERE.

Follow Rachelle:

*Affiliate links used in post. All reviews shared are Rachelle’s honest opinion.*

FTC Disclosure

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Find my books and other books you’ll enjoy on

CleanRomanceBooks.com

©Rachelle Christensen 2016. All rights reserved.