Halloween

By Kelly Bridgewater

Halloween!

So many people in the Christian community run from this holiday.

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Have even gone as far as renaming it Fall Festival, which is fine. We do the Fall Festival at our church every year too.

But I look forward to the Halloween decorations and the colorful leaves.

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Going trick-or-treating was something I wasn't allowed to do as a child, so I looked forward to it when my boys were younger.

This will be the first year all my boys are too old to go trick-or-treating.

BOO! HOO!

Anyways, How do you celebrate Halloween?

Lisa Carter: The Sound of Falling Leaves

 By Kelly Bridgewater

After aspiring opera singer Tessa loses her voice in a fire, she needs both a place to heal and a way to keep music in her life. She retreats to her aunt's apple orchard in rural North Carolina to collect folk ballads. But amid the autumn splendor of this isolated Appalachian community, she uncovers an unnerving connection between a murder case and a long-ago disappearance. Tessa gets a glimpse into an almost-forgotten world, encounters a corrupt, small-town political dynasty, and finds superstition and prejudice at every turn.

She's also drawn to Zeke, the handsome but enigmatic orchard caretaker, who shows her that mountain justice is neither impartial nor just. But battling a conspiracy of silence, Tessa isn't sure if she can trust him. Yet somewhere in the mists of the Blue Ridge Mountains, evil lurks, and a killer is determined to keep the past where it belongs--dead and buried.

 

My Thoughts:

The Sound of Falling Leaves by Lisa Carter was not one of my favorite suspense novels. While I really enjoyed the aspect of the suspense near the end of the story, the getting there was  kind of weird and left much to be desired. It didn't twist and turned. It actually begged for some suspense in the beginning of the story. It didn't truly capture my attention. I wanted more. I wanted to put the novel down a couple of times because there was not that much suspense. The characters seemed kind of bland too. One wanted to seek justice for his murdered foster sister and the other one wanted to work on her dissertation with a nearby folk singer who disappeared into the great world. The romance wasn't that moving either. Actually, I had a hard time believing the romance was happening at all. The hero and heroine were mad at each other, then all of a sudden, they went on a picnic and were kissing. I didn't buy that at all. Overall, the suspense left something to be desired, and I had a hard time believing the romance either. Even with these elements, Carter does know how to craft a story, but I think she forgot what the story was supposed to be about before she finished the novel, then came back to write it the way it should have been written from the beginning.

I received  a complimentary copy of The Sound of Falling Leaves by Lisa Carter from Gilead Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Purchase The Sound ofFalling Leaves

Denise Hunter: Autumn Skies

By Kelly Bridgewater

From the bestselling author of The Convenient Groom and A December Bride (now beloved Hallmark Original movies) comes the third and final novel in the Bluebell Inn series!

When a mysterious man turns up at Grace’s family-run inn, it’s instant attraction. But she’s already got a lot on her plate: running the Bluebell Inn, getting Blue Ridge Outfitters off the ground, and coping with a childhood event she’d thought was long past.

A gunshot wound has resurrected the past for secret service agent Wyatt Jennings, and a mandatory leave of absence lands him in Bluebell, North Carolina. There he must try and come to grips with the crisis that altered his life forever.

Grace needs experience for her new outfitters business, so when Wyatt needs a mountain guide, she’s more than happy to step up to the plate. As their journey progresses, Grace soon has an elusive Wyatt opening up, and Wyatt is unwittingly drawn to Grace’s fresh outlook and sense of humor.

There’s no doubt the two have formed a special bond, but will Wyatt’s secrets bring Grace’s world crashing down? Or will those secrets end up healing them both? 

From Goodreads

 My Thoughts:

Autumn Skies by Denise Hunter was a delightful story about the last sibling at the inn. This time around it was Grace's story. Before in the other two installments, she was younger. In the first one, I believe, she was still in high school. Now she is twenty-one and wanting to seek out on her own. It was interesting to see her personal sparkle on the page. She is definitely different than her older siblings that appear to hurt more over the lost of their parents than Grace did. I liked seeing both returning siblings and their spouses. Another wedding. The hero of Wyatt was the typical male protector hero who wanted to protect Grace and love on her once he found out he honestly had feelings for her. The plot moved at a nice pace. The romance was predictable, but I enjoyed seeing these siblings interact. Overall, Autumn Skies by Denise Hunter is just what fans of contemporary romance want in their stories. Romance. Check. Conflict. Check. Interesting characters. Check. Nice secluded setting. Check. A must read for fans of Hallmark movies.

I received a complimentary copy of Autumn Skies by Denise Hunter from Thomas Nelson Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase Autumn Skies

Favorite Suspense Novels

By Kelly Bridgewater

Halloween is next week, so of course, lots of orange and black.

Leaves changing.

Spooky things hanging out in stores and from homes.

Spooky movies and stories fill the hours.

Now I'm not a fan of a horror novel where the point is to show more blood and horror.

I like psychological stories where the madness is allowed to the reader.

I LOVE a good suspense novel.

Especially ones that I didn't see the ending coming. 

(Now, no offense to anyone, but cozy mysteries don't fit in this category. They are predictable and safe. So none of them are included here. Not that I don't read some of them. But I like to not know how the ending is before it happens. Romantic Suspense not so much either because there is romance that takes away from the suspense too!) (All images come from Goodreads.)

So here goes  . . . my favorite suspense novels:

The Knight by Steven James (This one is my ALL-TIME favorite. I actually went back and studied how James threw me for a loop. I can usually predict who the bad guy is, but when James showed this person, I got upset and sat the book aside. No idea at all, which rarely happens to me.)



The Curse of Misty Wayfair by Jaime Jo Wright



Face of Betrayal by Lis Wiehl



When Death Draws Near by Carrie Stuart Parks



The Boneman's Daughter by Ted Dekker



The Bride Collector by Ted Dekker

Joanna Davidson Politano: The Love Note

 By Kelly Bridgewater

Focused on a career in medicine and not on romance, Willa Duvall is thrown slightly off course during the summer of 1859 when she discovers a never-opened love letter in a crack of her old writing desk. Compelled to find the passionate soul who penned it and the person who never received it, she takes a job as a nurse at the seaside estate of Crestwicke Manor.

Everyone at Crestwicke has feelings--mostly negative ones--about the man who wrote the letter, but he seems to have disappeared. With plenty of enticing clues but few answers, Willa's search becomes even more complicated when she misplaces the letter and it passes from person to person in the house, each finding a thrilling or disheartening message in its words. 

Laced with mysteries large and small, this romantic Victorian-era tale of love lost, love deferred, and love found is sure to delight. 

From Goodreads

 

My Thoughts:

I delightful novel all because of a Love Letter. The Love Note by Joanna Davidson Politano is a different take on a the nurse that comes to save the day. With the introduction of a hidden, but now found Love Letter, Willa seeks out the owners of the letter. With luck and dedication, she seeks out the true story behind the Love Note. The story starts with a marriage proposal and ends with another marriage proposal. One wanted, and one not wanted. The romance is between friends and blooms into something more. The characters at Crestwicke Manor need Willa to come rescue them in more ways than one. The plot moves along at a nice pace. I didn't one to put the story down. While I had a good idea who write the love letter, I was drawn to the transformation of the characters plight. Politano crafted a story worth savoring, and I can't wait to read what she comes up with next. There is a little teaser in the back of this story for her next novel.

I received a complimentary copy of The Love Note by Jonna Davidson Politano from Revell Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase TheLove Note

Sarah E. Ladd: The Light at Wyndcliff

By Kelly Bridgewater

In the third book of this sweet Regency Cornwall series, one young man must search for truth among the debris of multiple shipwrecks on his newly inherited property.

When Liam Twethewey inherits the ancient Wyndcliff Hall in Pevlyn, Cornwall, he sets a goal of fulfilling his late great-uncle’s dream of opening a china clay pit on the estate’s moorland. When he arrives, however, a mysterious shipwreck on his property—along with even more mysterious survivors—puts his plans on hold.

Evelyn Bray has lived in Pevlyn her entire life. After her grandfather’s fall from fortune, he humbled himself and accepted the position of steward at Wyndcliff Hall. Evelyn’s mother, embarrassed by the reduction of wealth and status, left Pevlyn in search of a better life for them both, but in spite of her promise, never returns. Evelyn is left to navigate an uncertain path with an even more uncertain future.

When the mysteries surrounding the shipwreck survivors intensify, Liam and Evelyn are thrown together as they attempt to untangle a web of deceit and secrets. But as they separate the truths from the lies, they quickly learn that their surroundings—and the people in it—are not as they seem. Liam and Evelyn are each tested, and as a romance buds between them, they must decide if their love is strong enough to overcome their growing differences. 

From Goodreads

 My Thoughts:

Sarah E. Ladd has completed the third novel in her Cornwall series. I have enjoyed all three books and couldn't wait to dive into this one. The Light at Wyndcliff is a delightful story for the imagination and senses. Ladd does a wonderful job at inviting readers to the cliffs of Cornwall even if you have never been there. The romance was a typical romance with a predictable ending. The plot moved at a nice pace. I kept flipping through the pages and couldn't wait for the story to continue. The mystery elements were nice. I had a good time trying to figure out who was really behind all the shipwrecks and looting along the coast. Ladd definitely knows how to capture her audience's attention and keep it as the story flies by. Overall, I believe fans of Julie Klassen, Carolyn Miller, and Ladd's other works will enjoy this novel. I sure did.

I received a complimentary copy of The Light at Wyndcliff by Sarah E. Ladd from Thomas Nelson Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Purchase The Light atWyndcliff

Year 5

By Kelly Bridgewater

This month marks five years since my Daddy died.

Wow!

Really!

Some days it seems like yesterday and some days it feels so long ago since I have actually talked to my Daddy and listened to his advice.

It has gotten a lot easier.

Life has returned to normal.

I don't write my fiction. Still.

Who knows if I ever will?

A word of advice:

If you lost a parent recently, I give you a hug. It hurts. Deeply. Some days you wonder how you will move on. How will you continue to do the things that made you you? I promise. It will loosen the hands of grief. As someone who is five years down the road, I remember the horrible feelings of lost without my Daddy when he left, but I have moved on with my life.

There are certain things that come up that bring tears to my eyes. Father's Day is all about my husband and my father-in-law, who I am grateful are still in my life.

Like I mentioned earlier, my Daddy was my biggest supporter of my writing. He held me accountable and wanted to see how I was doing on my stories. Since he has passed on, I don't have that anymore, so I don't do it.

Sad.

I know.

I miss you, Daddy. Until we meet again!

Susan Anne Mason: A Haven for Her Heart

 By Kelly Bridgewater

Homeless after being released from a women's reformatory in 1939
Toronto, Olivia Rosetti is taken in by an angel of mercy, Ruth Bennington. The two discover they share a painful past and together decide to open a maternity home for troubled women.

Despite the success of the home, Olivia is haunted by her inhumane treatment at the reformatory and the way her newborn son was taken from her. She feels undeserving of love--until she meets businessman Darius Reed. Although his attention makes her heart soar, he can never learn of her past.
Greek widower Darius Reed is determined to protect his daughter from the prejudice that killed her mother. He'll ensure her future by marrying a woman from a respected Toronto family. But when Darius meets Olivia, he's immediately drawn to her beauty and compassion. 

Can love prove stronger than prejudice and past mistakes? Or will Olivia's secrets destroy any chance at a future together?

From Goodreads

 

My Thoughts:

A Haven for Her Heart by Susan Anne Mason takes a dark look at the world of pregnancy during World War II. The story is definitely different. I have heard of the dark side of the past where pregnant women were sent to relatives out in the country or away from town, but I have never heard of the mistreatment of them in prison. This was distasteful. Yes, some of them made bad decisions. I totally agree with that, but the punishment for this was wrong. It is still a woman carrying a real life baby, and for that reason, they should both be valued and treasured. Too bad even in today's culture we have still not learned this concept. Overall, I loved seeing Olivia as she tried to make amends for the hurt that has been caused to her by losing her son without any choice of her own. Darius was a wonderful hero who stood up for what he believed, and for that reason, I actually enjoyed him as a hero. Mason does a wonderful job at crafting strong heroes who may not have the best job, but they always come out looking like a hero in front to the women, and I really liked this concept. Mason does a terrific job at inviting American readers into the world of Canada. I have never been to Canada, but she always bring Canada home to the readers. I'm delightful to see the story take place in unfamiliar settings. Overall, A Haven for Her Heart by Susan Anne Mason is a delightful story of fear and learning to move on from the hurtful past. I recommend this story to fans of historical fiction.

I received a complimentary copy of A Haven for Her Heart by Susan Anne Mason from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Purchase A Haven forHer Heart

Susan May Warren: The Price of Valor

 By Kelly Bridgewater

About the Book

Title: The Price of Valor

Series: Global Search and Rescue #3

Author: Susan May Warren

Publisher: Revell

Publication Date: October 6, 2020

Genre: Christian Contemporary Romantic Suspense

Former Navy SEAL Hamilton Jones thought that the love of his life was dead. But when a girl claiming to be his daughter shows up with a dire message from his wife, Ham knows he will stop at nothing to find her and bring her home.

Kidnapped by rebels while serving as an interpreter in Ukraine, Signe Kincaid has spent the past decade secreting out valuable information about Russian assets in the US to her CIA handler. Fearing for her daughter after being discovered as an operative, Signe sends her to Ham for safekeeping. She's ready to give her life for her country, and she can hardly expect Ham to rescue her after breaking his heart over and over.

When Ham discovers the reason Signe has kept her distance, he must choose between love for his wife and love for the nation he has vowed to protect. Will he save the many? Or the few?

USA Today bestselling author Susan May Warren takes you on a global search and rescue mission where the stakes are higher than ever in this final installment of her popular series. 

 My Thoughts:

Susan May Warren still does not disappoint. With her newest book, The Price of Valor, Warren had me begging for reading time, which has been extremely hard with working a full forty hour work week outside the home, homeschooling a sixth grader in the evening, and keeping the house chores in line. Reading has not been the top priority. A huge event happens in the first third of the novel, and I was at lunch at work. I did not want to return to work. The characters were hanging in peril, literally, and I had to leave them to work. I didn't come back to release them from their danger for three whole days. How upsetting. Even through all the dilemma I went through, it is nothing compared to what Warren allowed the characters to experience. Warren writes so fast, and such wonderful stories. If you have read the Montana Rescue series, the Marshalls, and even some of her fire novels, then you will see familiar characters. I love this story. Another keeper for my shelf. I was telling another reader about Susan May Warren because they had never heard of her. How is that possible? Anyways, I truly enjoyed this "series", and I am really anxious to see what Warren crafts next. Definitely more books for my keeper shelf.

I received a complimentary copy of The Price of Valor by Susan May Warren from Revell Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Christianbook

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling, Christy and RITA award-winning novelist of over sixty-five novels. An eight-time Christy award finalist, a three-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Carol Award.

A seasoned women’s events speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: The Story Equation.

She is also the founder of MyBookTherapy.com, and Novel.Academy, a school for aspiring novelists.

CONNECT WITH SUSAN: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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Psalm 8

By Kelly Bridgewater

Psalm 8

"O Lord, our Lord, 

How excellent is Your name is all the earth, 

Who have set Your glory above the heavens!

Out ofthe mouth of babes and nursing infants

You have ordained strength,

Because of Your enemies,

That You may silence the enemy and the avenger,

When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,

The moon and the stars,which You have ordained,

What is man that You are mindful of him,

And the son of man that You visit him?

For You have made him a little lower than the angels,

And you have crowned him with glory and honor. 

You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands;

You have put all things under his feet,

All sheep and oxen--

Even the beasts of the field,

The birds of the air, 

And the fish of the sea

That pass through the paths of the seas.

O LORD, our Lord, 

How excellent is Your name in all the earth!"

*Scriptures come for the Journal the Word Bible NKJV version

Irene Hannon: Point of Danger

 By Kelly Bridgewater

Radio talk show host Eve Reilly is used to backlash from her pot-stirring on-air commentary and interviews, but now it seems a disgruntled listener is resorting to more than angry words to express their displeasure. When a suspicious package arrives on her doorstep, Eve turns to law enforcement for help.

Police detective Brent Lange can't find any evidence to link the string of unsettling incidents that follows, but he's convinced they're connected. As the harassment grows more menacing, it becomes clear someone wants Eve's voice silenced--permanently. 

But unless he can track down her foe, fast, the gutsy woman who is willing to take risks for what she believes--and who is swiftly winning his heart--may not survive.

Bestselling author and three-time RITA Award winner Irene Hannon is back with a heart-stopping new series that will have you turning pages well into the night.

From Goodreads

 

My Thoughts:

Point of Danger by Irene Hannon is a romantic suspense lover's dream. The heroine is put into danger right away and enters the adoring police officer who wants to help her out and figure out how to solve the mystery that is threatening the heroine without losing his heart first. In Hannon's latest novel, Point of Danger, she does definitely what she promises to her readers. It is thought out and full of romance. The mystery is okay. Not non-stop action where the reader holds her breathe as the characters rush against the clock. With Point of Danger, I really didn't figure out who the bad guy. But to be honest, there really is no clue leading toward this character anyway. When it was revealed, I shook my head in display because there was nothing pointing toward this character, so personally, I felt cheated. The romance seemed to be the main threat with a overarching threat, but it didn't seem to be the most important aspect of the novel. As for the timing of the novel, Hannon has included some political hotspots that are actually occurring in today's headlines. Overall, Point of Danger really didn't seem that suspenseful. But then again, this was just my opinion. Others may feel like this is the greatest romantic suspense novel ever. That is fine. That is what makes the world go round.

I received a complimentary copy of Point of Danger by Irene Hannon by Irene Hannon from Revell Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Purchase Point of Danger

Fall

By Kelly Bridgewater

FALL!!!!

My three favorite months of the year have finally arrived.

I love October for the, hopefully, cooler temperatures.

Smell of burning fire.

vintagevelvets.blogspot.com

Leaves changing.

Sweaters.

No bugs.

Yard Sales galore.

I usually spend more time outside now than I have before.

What about you? Do you enjoy fall? What is some of your favorite aspects of fall?