Melissas Bookshelf

Moving story of love, loss, & forgiveness!

Revisado: 03-24-25

In A Constant Love, Tracie Peterson weaves a touching story of love, loss, grief, & redemption. Set against the backdrop of “The Great Die-Up” of 1886-87, the harsh realities of Wyoming ranching are deftly portrayed along with a slow burn, brother’s best friend romance. This heartfelt story delves into some deeply tragic subjects including taking one’s life, with sensitivity & inspiring compassion balanced with two lovely romances & a dastardly villain.

The last words Charlotte Aldrich spoke to her father are ones she sorrowfully regrets. He contracted a marriage for her to a local lawyer, but Charlotte’s heart belongs to her brother’s best friend, Micah. When her father & brother both die trying to rescue their cattle, Charlotte mourns how things were left with her father. But while she’s dealing with her grief, her unwanted suitor demands she fulfill the marriage contract.

Micah Hamilton turns to the bottle to cope with his father’s taking of his own life & the death of his neighbor & best friend. But, Charlotte & her mother won’t let him wallow in his grief. They need his help to run their ranch amidst the prejudices of the local ranching association. As they deal with their shared losses, they determine to keep the manner of Micah’s father’s death a secret, which might come back to bite them.

I was throughly enthralled by this story. There were so many twists & turns as these endearing characters cope with tragic loss, the harsh Wyoming winter, & an unscrupulous suitor. I loved Charlotte’s & Micah’s slow burn romance. He’s only seen her as his best friend’s little sister while Charlotte’s always been in love with him. I enjoyed seeing the moments when Micah realizes she’s all grown up. I also enjoyed the surprise second chance romance.

Told from four points of view including the villain’s, I enjoyed how each added to the story & shaped the narrative. The villain is particularly selfish & demanding. I couldn’t wait to see him get his comeuppance. The audiobook version is well done & I enjoyed the way the narrator distinguished each character.

The tragic elements were handled so well. I enjoyed how stigmas & judgmental attitudes were dealt with in an inspirational way. Highly recommend to Christian romance fans! Looking forward to the next book in the series. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher but also purchased the audiobook version. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided.

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Loved the four narrator audiobook version!

Revisado: 03-20-25

AHHH! I love the way Charlie N. Holmberg always transport me to an amazing, enchanted world. One of the things I enjoy about her books is that even though I picked up this story mid-series, I was fully immersed & easily figured out what’s going on by a few chapters. Despite not reading the previous books, I found Wizard of Most Wicked Ways to be thoroughly addictive & magical.

In 1851, on Blaugdone Island off the coast of Rhode Island, Owein’s life is changing. As he reads Frankenstein & exchanges correspondence with his betrothed in England, he finds himself torn between the woman he only met once years ago & his bewitching shapeshifting friend Fallon. As he struggles with his feelings, a new problem arises that threatens him & his family.

Silas Hogwood, the greatest wizard of the millennium, is back after being dead for five years & he’s out for vengeance. Unfortunately, the body he inhabits is driving him mad. Fearing he’s not strong enough to defeat the powerful wizard, Owein asks his wealthy betrothed for help. Queen Victoria gets involved & dispatches her League of Magicians, including her personal necromancer to the island to help Owein defeat Silas once & for all.

I loved Owein’s coming of age story! Though he’s technically 227 years old, he’s physically & mentally like an 18 year old boy. He’s charming, honorable, & tries to do the right thing even when it’s difficult. His relationship with Fallon is charged with chemistry & I appreciated his struggle to be loyal to his betrothal when he & Fallon have such a deep friendship. Fallon’s a free spirited, shape shifting Druid who doesn’t understand Owein’s struggle. She loves Owein & definitely tempts him at every turn.

The magical system in this story is so unique. I was enthralled by its explanation & the methods used to defeat Silas. Silas’s a cunning enemy & it was thrilling to read from his POV. There’s danger at every turn & sensitive readers should be aware there’s death & some grotesque descriptions.

I listened to the audiobook & loved listening to all the various points of view. Each narrator brought a unique, brilliant quality to the narration which made it so easy to listen to. I particularly enjoyed listening to Owein’s & Silas’ narrators, but all of them were fantastic.

Those familiar with the series will enjoy catching up with Merritt & Hulda as they help Owein. Enjoyed this closed door, magical adventure! Can’t wait for the next book. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author but also purchased a copy through Kindle Unlimited & listened to the audiobook version. All opinions are completely my own & voluntarily provided.

Content: There is one swimming scene where one character is naked & kisses another character, but nothing happens beyond kissing. Also some innuendo.

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Heartfelt, endearing romance!

Revisado: 03-02-25

A beautiful, engaging story of triumph over adversity! An Overdue Match is my first book by Sarah Monzon & definitely won’t be my last. I absolutely adored this heartfelt story! I cried. I laughed. And fell in love with these amazing characters.

Evangeline Kelly’s a librarian who has given up on love for herself but vows to help others find love. She’s been diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disorder, alopecia, which caused her to lose her hair. Abandoned by her fiancé after her diagnosis, she determines she’s not heroine material.

Tai Davis is a tattoo artist who’s used to being misjudged as a bad boy. When a cute new librarian moves into town, he’d like to get to know her despite her pushing him away at every turn. When he discovers her matchmaking scheme, he strikes a bargain with her to go out with him in exchange for information about her potential matches.

Evangeline has my heart. In many ways, I can relate to her & I was cheering her on to fully embrace herself & not care about what others think. Tai is an absolute hero in every way. He’s lovably persistent & doesn’t let Evangeline hide herself away or give up on love. He definitely raises the bar as the perfect book boyfriend.

There were so many moments that touched my heart & also made me laugh. The author expertly captures the devastation of permanent hair loss, especially for women, but tempers the sorrow with humor, faith, an amazing romance, & lovely messages of embracing who you are. I loved the witty dialogue, the baseball game, all the embarrassing wig issues she faces, the squirrel marriage, & the phoenix.

I listened to the audiobook version & adored the narrator! Allyson Morgan really adds the emotional depth to this amazing story. I enjoyed the way she voiced each character & really brought them to life.

Full of sweet tender romance, laugh out loud moments, & heartfelt faith, this is an absolute must read! Highly recommend to clean romance & sweet romcom fans. Looking forward to the next book in the series. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher but also purchased the audiobook version. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided.

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Beautifully written historical romance!

Revisado: 02-03-25

“How did one navigate an arranged marriage? Did one build fences or bridges?”

Mystery, a touch of suspense, achingly beautiful romance, rich lyrical prose, & a lovely faith thread made Indigo Heiress unforgettable. Laura Frantz masterfully brings Colonial Virginia & Glasgow, Scotland to life in this heartfelt historical romance. Juliet & Leith were two endearing characters who completely drew me in. I couldn’t wait to see how these tenacious characters would navigate an arranged marriage.

Juliet Catesby’s a strong, independent woman who’s thoroughly involved in her father’s Indigo plantation from the planting to the harvesting. But with her father’s mounting debts & war looming, Juliet knows their livelihood at Royal Vale is tenuous. When the heir to a wealthy Scottish exporting firm arrives in Virginia, Juliet discovers her father has arranged a marriage to cancel out their debts. Confident it’s her younger, beautiful sister Loveday, she’s shocked to find Leith Buchanan wants her. Though she refuses the gruff widower, a terrible altercation forces her to reconsider & she & her sister find themselves on his ship bound for Scotland.

I was fully immersed in this gorgeous story. Juliet’s compassion, strong convictions, intelligence, & faith had me cheering for her from the beginning. I appreciated her struggles & courage as she deals with her own personal challenges & the scourge of slavery. Leith is one of those gruff Scottish heroes you can’t help but adore. I loved his darling twins & seeing things from his POV.

Juliet’s & Leith’s slow burn romance kept me anxiously turning the pages. They’re both strong characters & I enjoyed every moment as their relationship develops. But, as their romance blooms, so do the intrigue & plot twists set against the backdrop of the coming Revolutionary War. The author brilliantly captures the dilemmas & historical elements to really make this time period come to life. I loved the vivid descriptions & details of indigo planting & the gorgeous settings.

I listened to the audiobook version & loved the narrator! She did a fabulous job bringing these characters to life with their various accents. It was a fabulous book to listen to.

Highly recommend & a must read for historical fiction fans! I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher but also purchased the audiobook version. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided. 4.5-5 stars!

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Compelling biblical retelling of Joanna’s story from the New Testament!

Revisado: 01-28-25

More & more I’m coming to truly appreciate Biblical fiction! I love the insights & thoughtfulness that goes into each book. Before the King is Joanna’s story from the New Testament. Heather Kaufman thoroughly brings her to life in this heart-achingly beautiful story of faith, struggle, loss, & love.

From childhood, Joanna keenly feels the struggles of her sister who suffers from a seizure disorder. When she’s torn away from her & thrust into the politics of Herod’s court, she must learn to navigate her way through the jealousies of others & an arranged marriage. When tragedy strikes, Joanna finds herself in a new situation with a new suitor who offers her a marriage of convenience.

I thoroughly enjoyed being immersed in this story. The author did a fabulous job breathing new understanding into Joanna. I loved her interactions with Jesus & His disciples & watching her faith grow. Joanna is a wealthy woman & it was interesting seeing how she’s viewed & treated at first.

Joanna’s marriage of convenience was so well done. I enjoyed the push & pull of their relationship as he’s determined to keep things strictly platonic. Her husband’s past is a bit of a mystery until it’s finally unraveled.

Joanna’s conversion story had me in tears. I enjoyed following her journey as she meets John the Baptist, Jesus, Mary of Magdala, the disciples, & others. She experiences the dangers of being a believer culminating in the death & resurrection of Jesus.

The audiobook version is fantastic. I enjoyed how the narrator infused just the right amount of emotion into the story. I also appreciated how she differentiated between each of the characters & really brought them to life.

It’s a compelling story that completely hooked me from the beginning. Highly recommend to fans of Biblical fiction & Bible retellings. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher but also purchased the audiobook version. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided.

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Loved this next mystery in the series!

Revisado: 01-06-25

Another fantastic mystery in the Lady of Letters series! I thoroughly enjoyed following Countess Amelia Amesbury on another adventure as she manages her secret advice column along with her budding romance with Simon Bainbridge, the handsome marquis, all while trying to solve a murder. This time Amelia tries to help Simon prevent his sister from eloping with an unsuitable gentleman to Gretna Green, but before anything happens, her suitor winds up dead. As she & Simon work together to solve the mystery, Amelia must rely on all her sleuthing skills to find the murderer before it’s too late.

Amelia & Simon make such a swoon worthy team. Their growing romance was filled with so many close proximity, near kisses that had me audibly scolding anyone who interrupted them. I loved their sizzling chemistry & the romantic tension between them. I also enjoyed the delightful humor sprinkled throughout. Amelia’s escape from a balcony involving a tree & Simon had me laughing out loud. Each chapter begins with a clever anecdote from Amelia’s column that fits in nicely with what’s happening in the proceeding chapter.

One of the other enjoyable aspects of this series are the endearing relationships between Amelia & her deceased husband’s aunt & ward, her friends, & Simon & his sister. Along with the murder mystery, Amelia tries to help her friend Kitty convince her husband’s family to allow them to stay in London. Kitty is Amelia’s best friend & she can’t imagine life without her fashionable sidekick. I loved seeing Amelia’s & Kitty’s competitive streak as they play croquet & engage in friendly competitions.

The mystery itself had several twists & turns as Amelia & Simon investigate each suspect. There are even moments where their suspicions hit a little too close to home. As the story reaches its exciting conclusion, I was on the edge of my seat.

The narrator was delightful. I enjoyed the way she voiced each character. Her voice was a joy to listen to & she really made this story come alive.

This delightful mystery series is a must read for historical romance/mystery fans. Looking forward to more books in the series. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher but also purchased the audiobook version from Audible. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided. 4.5-5 stars!

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Touching story of love, faith, & sacrifice!

Revisado: 01-06-25

As one man risks his life to thwart an emperor’s decree, a young blind woman learns the power of the One True God and His ability to heal & save despite allowing suffering & pain. Why did I wait so long to read this book?! Of Love and Treason was heart-achingly beautiful, deeply thoughtful, & filled with intrigue, romance, & faith. This powerful historical fiction based on the life of St. Valentine captured my attention from the very beginning & was impossible to put down.

The story takes place in 270 AD Rome, when Christians were horribly persecuted & the emperor newly instituted a marriage ban. Iris, the 21 year old daughter of a Roman jailer has tried every cure & prayed to every Roman god to heal her, not for herself, but so she can help her deeply in debt father. When Valentine comes into the bakery where she works, they strike up a meaningful conversation & he offers to pray for her. Suddenly, Iris finds a flicker of hope as her sight returns for brief moments at a time. As her faith in God grows, so does her relationship with Valentine.

Despite the marriage ban, Valentine agrees to marry people in secret. Each time he performs a ceremony, he risks his life, but, his convictions compel him to keep going. As his relationship with Iris blossoms, the cost of his faith comes at a heavy price. Titus is a Roman soldier tasked with finding ‘The Cupid’ who defies the emperor & marries couples in secret. He’s also Iris’ best friend though he longs for more. Iris’ father Quintus Magius is hostile to Christianity until his daughter’s sight begins to return. When these four lives intersect, their faith & convictions are tested as they come up against the power of the Roman Empire.

This story gave me such newfound respect for St. Valentine. I didn’t know much about him before reading, but quickly fell in love with the author’s portrayal & will never look at Valentine’s Day quite the same. The characters in this story were utterly amazing. I enjoyed reading from four different viewpoints as each character expresses various levels of faith from the deeply converted to the struggling skeptic. Their heartfelt conflicts were so real. I found myself on pins & needles especially as Valentine’s enemies begin closing in. The courage it took to be a Christian during this time period was really brought home.

Iris’ faith journey & Valentine’s profound teachings were some of my favorite moments. Their slow burn romance was absolutely delightful. I loved the witty banter & those close proximity situations. Their sweet relationship brought some much needed humor & lightness to the story. I also loved Valentine’s aunt & the other Christian believers who were such a support to Valentine, Iris, & her father.

I listened to the audiobook version & adored the narrator. She did a fantastic job voicing all the characters & really bringing them to life. If made the book even more meaningful with the emotion she beautifully expressed through narrating these characters.

Highest of recommendations for this stunning novel, even though it put me through the wringer. I definitely recommend having some Kleenex handy. Looking forward to the next book by this author.

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Another thrilling suspense in the series!

Revisado: 12-21-24

Irene Hannon is definitely a favorite romantic suspense author! I devoured the first book in the Undaunted Courage series & couldn’t wait for book 2. Over the Edge is aptly titled as it dangled me over the edge with one suspenseful situation after another. The series centers around three grown foster children adopted by the same loving couple, who’ve each overcome troubled pasts & are working in various areas of law enforcement. This is Jack’s story & it definitely packs a wallop!

Talented chef Lindsay Barnes recently moved to St. Louis after experiencing a traumatic event. When she returns to a client’s home to retrieve her knife roll, she inadvertently stumbles onto a murder scene. As she hides from the killer who’s still there, she happens to catch a brief glimpse. When bizarre things begin to happen to her, is she suffering from PTSD, or is someone trying to gaslight her? Then there’s the charming detective who’s too handsome for his own good & who she blames for a heartbreaking incident involving her friend. Will they be able to work together to find the killer?

Police Detective Jack Tucker had a difficult childhood, but luckily thrived after being adopted out of foster care. When he meets Lindsay at a murder scene, he’s puzzled by her cold treatment of him. He also doubts her credibility at first after learning about her traumatic past, & questioning the bizarre incidents that keep happening to her. He also hesitates getting involved with someone who might be suffering from mental issues after dealing with his birth mother. As he gets to know her, he quells his doubts & begins falling for her, but someone is clearly out to get her & as she remembers more about the murder, she becomes even more of a target.

This book had me on pins & needles. At times, I doubted Lindsay herself & wondered if she was an unreliable narrator. The psychological games were definitely chilling. There were several potential suspects each with a motive for murder & it wasn’t until about 2/3rds into the book that the suspects were revealed. From there, it’s a thrill ride as Lindsay doesn’t recognize the killer until it’s almost too late. The romance was so well done. I loved the depth of these characters & appreciated how they helped each other as they forged a new understanding between them.

In addition to reading, I listened to the audiobook & loved the narrator. She did a fantastic job bringing all the characters to life. I particularly enjoyed the way she voiced the male characters. Her narration was easy & enjoyable to listen to.

It’s a rollercoaster ride I thoroughly enjoyed that had just the right amount of romance & faith. Highly recommend to romantic suspense fans! Though part of a series, each book can easily be read as a standalone. Now I can’t wait to find out what happens to the next sibling. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided. 4.5-5 stars!

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I adored returning to this delightful series!

Revisado: 12-20-24

The Seaside Homecoming is another beautiful, heartwarming installment in the beloved On Devonshire Shores series! Julie Klassen reminds us in this celebrated 20th book why she’s such a favorite author. It definitely grabbed hold & didn’t let go. It’s the much anticipated story of Claire, the prodigal daughter & mysterious, frequently mentioned sister who’s been living in Scotland. Her lovely story was all I hoped for & introduced new amazing characters while including much loved favorites.

Claire Summers made a mistake several years ago when she succumbed to the flattery of a charmer & agreed to elope to Gretna Green. With a reputation in taters & no anticipated marriage, she flees to Scotland to live with an old austere great-aunt. Claire spends lonely days in penitence & serving her aunt after her father disowned her & forbid her to come home. When her aunt dies, Claire must make her way in the world. Seeing an advertisement seeking a boarding house partner, she readily travels to Sidmouth for a new adventure which happens to be where her estranged family is living.

The boarding house owner is the handsome, Scottish Mr. Hammond with a delightful young daughter with Indian heritage who readily takes to Claire, & her companion who’s skeptical of Claire. William has his own secrets & as Claire unravels them, she questions whether her hopes at love may be dashed again. She also has the opportunity to see her family again. Her sisters have been valiantly searching for her & are happy to be reunited, but their mother still clings to their father’s wishes. Will Claire ever find forgiveness & acceptance?

I adored this sweet story! Claire’s undergone a tremendous transformation & gained wisdom & strength. She’s ever mindful of her mother’s wishes & does her best to honor her while forging a new tentative relationship. I loved seeing her with her sisters again. The sweet romance, little mysteries & surprises, & endearing boarders at both boarding houses made this another charming addition in the series. I also loved the Indian culture fused throughout & Claire’s relationship with Mira.

The audiobook was fantastic! The narrator did a wonderful job bringing each of the characters to life. There were several different accents which the narrator beautifully rendered. I thoroughly enjoyed listening.

Highly recommend! If you’re a fan of Jane Austen & Little Women, this is a must read. Can’t wait for the next book! I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author & publisher. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided.

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Another brilliant story in the Timeless series!

Revisado: 11-21-24

All the stars for this book! From speakeasies to the high seas, Across the Ages grabbed hold & didn’t let go. Gabrielle Meyer delivers another favorite in the Timeless series. I adore books set in the roaring 20’s & the 1700’s (especially if it involves pirates). This time slip story combines both brilliantly as Caroline wakes up in 1727 only to fall asleep & wake up in 1927, over & over again.

In 1927, Caroline Baldwin is the daughter of a famous preacher who strongly advocates for Prohibition. While her brothers don’t follow in his footsteps & tend to be on the other side of the law, Caroline does her best to live up to her father’s high standards. When she goes searching for answers about her unique condition, she ends up putting her family name at risk.

In 1727, Caroline Reed lives with her grandfather who wants to marry her off to an unwanted suitor. When she discovers a note from her long lost mother, she dresses as a boy & stows away on a ship to find her. When the ship’s captured by pirates, she finds herself working in close proximity to Marcus Zale, the quartermaster of the Ocean Curse. As their relationship deepens, will he discover her secrets?

I LOVED this book! There were so many twists & turns. Caroline has two suitors & while she loves one more than the other, I was on pins & needles wondering which time period she’d end up in by her 21st birthday. The romance is so swoony & I absolutely loved how things turned out.

The history & settings are so well done. I loved glimpses of Charles Lindbergh & the nods to Bonnie & Clyde & the gangsters of the 20’s. I also enjoyed the pirate adventures including storylines based on Anne Bonny & Calico Jack. I always look forward to the history Gabrielle Meyer includes in her stories.

There’s also a wonderful faith element beautifully woven in to both timelines. I enjoyed the messages of forgiveness, second chances, & redemption. I also love the whole concept of the time slip & how it works.

The audiobook version is fabulous! I enjoyed the way the narrator was able to bring to life so many characters. The dual-time period means that there are two stories basically in one with a wide variety of characters and accents. The way the narrator was able to distinguish all the accents & historical differences was so well done.

Highest of recommendations to this faith-filled, romantic adventure! The whole series is a must read. While this book can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the previous books in the series to truly appreciate the story & characters. I loved getting a glimpse of familiar favorite characters in this story. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided.

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