Rachelle J. Christensen

Romance, Suspense, Mystery Author

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

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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?

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Book Review: Ruth by H.B. Moore

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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.

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Book Review: The Woman With No Name by Kelly Nelson

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The Woman with No Name by [Nelson, Kelly]Book Thoughts by Rachelle

The Woman With No Name is an excellent clean read that was fast-paced and set in an interesting area of Utah. I like the way the book started out with tension increasing throughout each chapter. Reading through both the viewpoints of Skye and Colton add to the romantic tension in the story. About midpoint, the story lagged a little bit when Skye and Colton figure out who she really is. I think this was mostly because I was completely impatient with her horribly self-absorbed fiance and I wanted to get back to the heart of the story. There is a ton of hunting detail so if you’re a fan of hunting, this story will resonate with you. Overall, a fun, light read that will leave you smiling with the perfect conclusion.

Here’s more about the book:

Sworn bachelor Colton Murdock gets more than he bargained for on the elk hunt
when he finds an injured woman in Utah’s high country. She must have a
history, but she wakes up to towering pines and the clap of a thunderstorm with no recollection of her name or how she came to be there. Colt brings her to the safety of his camp, trying to ignore the first stirrings of his heart since the tragic death of his fiancée six years ago.

The young woman can’t help falling for her ruggedly handsome rescuer, who calls her Skye for her blue eyes. But her life goes into a tailspin when she is recognized as Lily Vanasche, fiancée of a popular TV news anchorman, and Colt is arrested for a series of crimes—including her abduction. After the real kidnapper leaves a death threat in Lily’s ransacked house, the clock starts ticking. Can she remember her past before it catches up with her?

This exciting romantic-suspense novel will appeal to readers who enjoy inspirational Christian fiction.

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Book Review: Even This by Emily Belle Freeman

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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.

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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: Wrong for You by Jenny Proctor

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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?

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