Spinner of Yarns
The Twin Bargain by Lisa Cox Carter
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
If you like standardized Christian fiction, you’ll love this one. It uses all the catchphrases in Christian fiction today. For me, it used too many of them. But the twin girls in the story are adorable and the hero does the right thing in the end (he has to, it’s a romance) so it’s worth the time to read if you want something a little fluffy and easy on the eyes.
A Rancher to Trust by Laurel Blount
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I don’t read a lot of contemporary romances because my heart lies with the historicals, but I picked up a copy of this one and gave it a try. After all, who doesn’t like a handsome rancher hero, right? This story was fresh and engaging, not a rework of the same old tropes. The writing was very good. I had trouble putting it down!
Jeremy Poldark by Winston Graham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
It’s official. I’m hooked on this series! This one, like Demelza, was followed very closely by the TV series. I could “see” the actors in the scenes as I was reading. But it goes deeper – as books do – into the thoughts behind the actions. There are differences, but they are subtle and, I think, only add to the story. The first book, Ross Poldark, was the most different and in parts was a little draggy, but not the next two. Winston Graham seems to have hit his stride in the writing.
Demelza by Winston Graham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I liked this book even better than Ross Poldark, the first book in the series. That may be because the TV series followed this book more closely, but for whatever reason, it was wonderful. There are differences between the TV series and the books, mostly that the books contain many more characters. And – of course – the books allow us a look inside the characters’ thoughts, which I love. The writing is more old-style than today’s books, but it’s a wonderful read all the same.
Three Little Things by Patti Stockdale
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book gets my #1 Best Cover award. Seriously – look at that cover! Endorsed by Debbie Macomber, received a positive review by Publishers Weekly, you can’t go wrong with this one. It’s a lovely WWI romance inspired by the love letters written during that time period between the author’s grandparents. It touches on the prejudice against German/Americans at that time, as well as the upheaval of the war on the home shores. This is the author’s first book, but I’ll be watching for what she publishes next!
Ross Poldark by Winston Graham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Loved it! Such a great way to finish off watching the Masterpiece Theater series. There are differences between the two, most notably, there are many more characters in the book version. And – of course – no matter how Winston Graham described Ross, he’ll forever look like Aiden Turner to me. Ditto for Demelza and Eleanor Tomlinson. On to book two!
Above the Fold by Rachel Scott McDaniel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Romance, intrigue, and the struggle to find their places in the world. Get swept back into the 1920s with Elissa and Cole. The world is changing, one war ended while other threats loom. Roles are changing too, so when Elissa plans to join the all-male world of newspaper reporting, there are plenty of roadblocks in her way, including a dead body and an old flame. Well worth reading!
The Words Between Us by Erin Bartels
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I liked this book better than the author’s debut. It’s women’s fiction, told from one person’s point of view, and hops back and forth between the person’s past and present. It’s interesting and the author handles the transitions well, so it’s easy to follow. I’m not sure what the actual takeaway is from this book, it will probably be different things for different readers, but it held my interest until the end.
The Highlanders: A Smitten Historical Romance Collection by J’nell Ciesielski
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
If you enjoy stories with a Scottish tang, then these four novellas are your next “must read.” Two are set in the old country, and two on America’s shores, but all of them include a Highlander you’ll be swept away by. And the final story will throw you a curve you never see coming! If you dinna get your copy yet, you shouldna wait much longer!
Misleading Miss Verity by Carolyn Miller
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I enjoyed a lot about this book. The characters are interesting and believable, the setting is beautifully written, and the writing is good. The ending, however, fell apart for me. That could very well be just a personal preference, so I’m still giving it a solid three stars, because others may love the ending.
