Favorite Books of 2024

 By Kelly Bridgewater

Here are my favorite books of 2024: (All images come from Goodreads.) 

Majority of these books were non-stop action, which I need to make a good story. Meyer and Raybon surprised me with their unique, yet lovable story lines. Shocklee's story tore at my heart, and I have recommended it to a number of people to read. I have put Under the Tulip Tree on my Christmas Wish List. I can't wait to dive into it again. 

One Last Chance by Susan May Warren

One Last Stand by Susan May Warren

Fury by Ronie Kendig and Steffanie Webb

For a Lifetime by Gabrielle Meyer

Truth be Told by Patricia Raybon

Under the Tulip Tree by Michelle Shocklee

Quell the Nightingale by Michelle Israel Harper

Of Gold and Shadows by Michelle Griep

A Hope Unburied By Kimberley Woodhouse

70 North by Kimberley Woodhouse

I would love to know if you read these books, what did you think?

Gabrielle Meyer: Across the Ages

By Kelly Bridgewater

Caroline holds a deep secret. Living in 1727 and 1927 simultaneously, each night she goes to sleep in one life and wakes up in the other. In search of answers to her unique existence, Caroline stumbles upon a letter from her mother hinting at her own experiences as a time-crosser, sending Caroline on a daring quest to uncover the truth. In 1727, Caroline disguises herself as a cabin boy and joins a ship sailing for the Bahamas, her mother's last known location, where she crosses paths with a ruthless but handsome pirate and is caught in a web of secrets, deception, and unexpected alliances.

In 1927 St. Paul, Minnesota, Caroline grapples with her other life as the daughter of a renowned preacher. Her two older brothers have fallen prey to the corruption rampant during Prohibition, and Caroline struggles to keep their involvement hidden to save her father's career. As her search for answers about her time-crossing leads her to the dangerous yet exciting world of speakeasies, Caroline enlists the help of a childhood friend who is now a police officer. But with her family's future at risk and their loyalties tested, Caroline faces a life-altering decision that could reshape her destiny.

 

My Thoughts:

Across the Ages by Gabrielle Meyer is a unique, yet thrilling story set in 1727 and 1927. This time the storyline features pirates and the 1920's with a Billy Sunday vibe. If readers have read her other stories, then there will be a few returning characters from the previous books. They will interact in ways that will make readers smirk as they know the truth behind their time crossing. I love how Meyer takes two totally different historical time periods and make them interact through one character. This time, Caroline, gets to make the decision about which path to follow. She is the daughter of a time crosser that is mentioned in one of the previous stories, but her story is not flushed out. It is a glimpse on the page. Readers who are familiar with Meyer's stories know how hard it is for each heroine to decide which timeline to stay in and what timeline to leave. The struggle on the surface is harder than we could ever imagine. These characters need a supportive cast in order to help them make the correct decision. Caroline is no different. Across the Ages by Gabrielle Meyer is another wonderful addition to this series. I can't wait to read the next two books that are still coming.

I received a complimentary copy of Across the Ages by Gabrielle Meyer from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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Most Anticipated Historical Romance

 By Kelly Bridgewater

Books that I can't wait to read this Fall. 

(All covers come from Goodreads.)

The Clovertone Charade by Sara E. Ladd

A Token of Love by Carrie Turansky

Of Gold and Shadows by Michelle Griep

Specters in the Glass House by Jaime Jo Wright

All We Thought We Knew by Michelle Shocklee

Waiting for Christmas by Lynn Austin

Across the Ages by Gabrielle Meyer

Seaside Homecoming by Julie Klassen

Cloaked in Beauty by Karen Witmeyer

What about you? Any covers capture your fancy?

Gabrielle Meyer: For a Lifetime

 By Kelly Bridgewater

Grace and Hope are identical twin sisters born with the ability to time-cross together between 1692 Salem, Massachusetts, and 1912 New York City. As their twenty-fifth birthday approaches, they will have to choose one life to keep and one to leave behind forever--no matter the cost.

In 1692, they live and work in their father's tavern, where they must watch helplessly as the witch trials unfold in their village, threatening everyone. With the help of a handsome childhood friend, they search for the truth behind their mother's mysterious death, risking everything to expose a secret that could save their lives--or be their undoing.

In 1912, Hope dreams of becoming one of the first female pilots in America, and Grace works as an investigative journalist, uncovering corruption and injustice. After their parents' orphanage is threatened by an adversary, they enter a contest to complete a perilous cross-country flight under the guidance of a daring French aviator.

The sisters have already decided which timeline they will choose, but an unthinkable tragedy complicates the future they planned for themselves. As their birthday looms, how will they determine the lives--and loves--that are best for both of them?

 

My Thoughts:

For a Lifetime by Gabrielle Meyer is a delightful tale with two historical events: Aircraft and the Salem Witch Trials. Meyer crafts a wonderful enthralling tale of two twin sisters who experience life during both time periods. Readers will be enchanted as they experience life through the eyes of Hope and Grace. I know I was. Meyer has a wonderful way of crafting historical drama that the readers will have a hard time putting the story down. I finished the books within one day, and I can’t wait for the next installment. Once they are all written, I will definitely want to read them all over again to see more little surprises that I did not come across the first time. Of course, romance does allude and capture both of the girls. I enjoy how Meyer wraps a spiritual truth for each character to learn. A nice lesson for the readers too. I love her descriptions of the setting, the clothes, and the characters. The characters are three-dimensional with real conflict, love interest, and struggle to decide what time period to choose. I love this series. It is original and unpredictable. I cannot wait for the next book, Across the Ages.

I received a complimentary copy of For a Lifetime by Gabrielle Meyer from Bethany House Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating:  5 out of 5 stars

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Favorite Stories of 2023

 By Kelly Bridgewater

One of my favorite posts of the year. I read over 120 books this year, and I love to sit back and share my favorite books of the year with my followers. 

Without further ado, here are my favorite books this year (Covers come from Goodreads unless noted.)

The Looking Glass Illusion by Sara Ella

The Wings of Poppy Pendleton by Melanie Dobson

The Glass Slipper by Michele Israel Harper

Man of Shadow and Mist by Michelle Griep

In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer

Lost in Wonderland by Tabitha Bouldin

What about you? Have you read any of these books? What were your favorite reads this year?

Gabrielle Meyer: In This Moment

By Kelly Bridgewater

Maggie inherited a gift from her time-crossing parents that allows her to live three separate lives in 1861, 1941, and 2001. Each night, she goes to sleep in one time period and wakes up in another. Until she turns twenty-one, when she will have to forfeit two of those lives--and everyone she knows in them--forever.

In 1861, Maggie is the daughter of a senator at the outbreak of the Civil War, navigating a capital full of Southern spies and wounded soldiers. In 1941, she is a navy nurse, grappling with her knowledge of the future when she joins a hospital ship going to Pearl Harbor. And in 2001, she's a brilliant young medical student, fulfilling her dream of becoming a surgeon.

While Maggie has sworn off romance until she makes her final choice, an intriguing man tugs at her heart in each era, only complicating the impossible decision she must make, which looms ever closer. With so much on the line, how can Maggie choose just one life to keep and the rest to lose?

 

My Thoughts:

In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer is a delightful time traveling story. I do enjoy how Meyer puts her characters in important moments of history, and her words allow the reader to feel like they are actually there experiencing the event. This time around, readers are in the Civil War, World War II, and right before 9/11. Since Meyers has already explained the time traveling gene in the previous books, readers familiar with the first book will notice that is not covered in this edition. However, this time around, the story focused a lot on the romance in each time period. Sometimes I thought it was a little overdone. Yes, the main character, Maggie does wonder what she is going to do when she travels back and forth and what time period she is going to stay in. However, the romance of each time period seems to be the more pressing issue. I, personally, don’t mind a little bit of romance, but I don’t like to see it overcome the story line. This time around, it does seem to do this a little too much. The events are interesting that Maggie time travels to. I enjoyed seeing the affects that it has on her as she knows information about each time period before it happens except 2001. The readers are familiar with what is about to happen, so we are waiting anxiously to see how this plays out. Meyers does leave a little twist at the end of the book that will make readers want to see her next novel and see what happens. I know I can’t wait to read the next book, if there is one.

I received a complimentary copy of In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer from Bethany House Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating:  4 out of 5 stars

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