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The Bird of Bedford Manor by Michelle Griep
Publisher’s Summary
Bedfordshire, England, 1820: Ruined by the sins of her father, Juliet Finch is cast into a life of self-reliance. Survival is a harsh taskmaster, but she is a quick learner and excels at tracking and snaring wild game to feed herself. Juliet embraces her new identity until the day Henry Russell catches her poaching on his land—a crime punishable by death. Henry, however, has other offenses on his mind: namely, the troublesome stalker who’s making a misery of his sister’s life. To try to put a stop to her torment, Henry charges Juliet with tracking the elusive villain so he can be brought to justice. Using her skills, Juliet hunts down the rogue. . .but may just become the prey herself.
Reader favorite Michelle Griep has penned yet another masterpiece with this page-turning adventure that has it all:
swoon-worthy romance
clever turn-of-phrase
colorfully memorable characters
charming British setting
Fiercely independent, sometimes to her own detriment, Juliet Finch has become the bane of formidable Henry Russell’s existence.
Michelle Griep has penned another wonderful Regency romance, The Bird of Bedford Manor.
I always enjoy Griep’s novels because I know they will be well-researched, page turning, faith inspiring stories.
The characters, both main and minor, are so aptly developed that we either like or loathe them.
Riveting narrative holds you spellbound, following unforeseen twists, turns and zigzags through developments that lead you and the characters on a not so merry chase.
I felt as if I were in the middle of the book. I was so invested in and spellbound by the story that at times I caught myself holding my breath without even noticing.
I have always venerated Griep’s stories, and The Bird of Bedford Manor is a great exemplification of why I do!
I received a review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own, and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
#TheBirdofBedfordManor #NetGalley
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Listen for the Chickadees: Unsung Stories of World War II Book 3 by Terri Wangard Available March 10, 2026
Publisher’s Summary
She’s loved him forever.
He’s never seen her as more than a memory from home.
Then Pearl Harbor changed everything.
December 7, 1941, shattered the illusion that anyone is safe.
Navy nurse Gloria Bloch wakes to the thunder of enemy planes over Pearl Harbor, certain of only one thing: John Walsh, the boy she has loved since childhood, is far from danger aboard an aircraft carrier. Or so she believes.
When panicked American gunfire brings John down over the harbor, their reunion is brief and breathtaking, forged in chaos neither can escape.
As the Second World War drives the United States into the Pacific conflict, Gloria and John are swept onto separate paths of duty. Gloria serves aboard the hospital ship USS Serenity, tending shattered bodies and wounded souls. John flies combat missions as a Navy fighter pilot and combat photographer, risking everything to document a war that refuses to leave him untouched.
Their paths cross again and again in fleeting moments between air raids and surgeries, courage and fear, longing and loss. With every meeting, the feelings they have buried deepen. But war demands more than love. It demands sacrifice, tests faith, and steals time without warning.
When separation stretches into silence, Gloria must face the terrifying possibility that hope itself has become another casualty of war.
As war and distance threaten to pull them apart, only the smallest signs remain: a whistle, a painted bird, and a promise worth holding onto.
Listen for the Chickadees is a Christian World War II historical romance set against the backdrop of Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Navy, and the Pacific War. It is a story of steadfast love, quiet faith, and the courage it takes to trust God when tomorrow is uncertain.
Perfect for readers who enjoy WWII historical fiction, Christian wartime love stories, and emotionally rich fiction set in America and the Pacific theater
Terri Wangard’s newest book, Listen for the Chickadees, the final story in the Unsung Stories of World War II, introduces us to Navy nurse Gloria Bloch and fighter pilot John Walsh. Gloria and John, childhood friends, find themselves in the throes of battle during World War II.
Wangard’s book is well-researched, giving a front row seat to how the nurses and pilots experienced World War II.
Although the scenes aren’t intentionally brutal or grisly, in other words not for show or superfluous, they are descriptive and realistic. I don’t want to give away spoilers, but the truths are very sad.
The authenticism is sometimes difficult to read. However, it is worth taking the time to read this well-written book if for no other reason than to know more about World War II history.
I received an advanced review copy of Listen for the Chickadees from the author. All opinions are my own, and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
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The Healing Jar (The Prayer Jars Book 3) by Wanda Brunstetter
Publisher’s Summary
What if you have waited to find love only to be rejected when it finally comes?
Lenore Lapp is an Amish schoolteacher in her late twenties still living at home with her parents and grandparents. She thought love had passed her by until she meets Jesse Smucker, a widower with a baby daughter. She quickly falls in love with them both and accepts Jesse’s proposal of marriage, but Jesse breaks off their engagement when he realizes he can’t marry only for convenience.
Resigned to living single, Lenore throws herself into caring for her elders. While working in her grandmother’s garden, she digs up an old jar. Will Lenore find healing for her broken heart and solve long-buried family secrets by reading the note contained inside?
The Healing Jar by Wanda Brunstetter is the final installment of The Prayer Jar series. The story can be read as a standalone without reading The Hope Jar and The Forgiving Jar first. However, you gain more insight if you read the other two books first.
Brunstetter’s books feature forgiveness, love, wisdom and spiritual content, offering hope and inspiration!
The novel continues with the Lapps, Sara and Michelle, while introducing us to Lenore Lapp. Lenore is one of the Lapps unmarried granddaughters.
True to form, Lenore finds a prayer jar which set her off on a journey of discovery.
The trilogy ends on a happy note for all the characters. I will miss learning more about the families, but the ending is heartwarming.
I received a review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own, and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
There are also two devotionals available, dedicated to The Prayer Jar books. One devotional is devoted to healing, and the other one is devoted to forgiveness. (Disclaimer-I am not an affiliate.)
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Second Chance at Sunshine Inn by Amy Clipston
Publisher’s Summary
Two polar opposites, one cozy inn–and one sweet and surprising chance at unlikely love.
When Everleigh Hartnett, a cheerful traveling NICU nurse who can’t sit still, inherits half of her godmother’s beloved seaside bed-and-breakfast, she dreams of selling the place to fund the nonprofit she and her godmother always envisioned. But there’s one tiny problem: her new co-owner. Rugged, grumpy, and fiercely loyal to the inn, Cade Witherspoon isn’t about to let his peaceful life–and his new start–be sold off so easily.
Everleigh and Cade are opposites in every way. She’s sunshine and laughter, while he’s all rough edges and quiet brooding. Their clash of wills over the inn soon has them wondering what on earth Everleigh’s godmother was thinking when she left them both in charge.
As Everleigh gets to know Cade’s softer side–and Cade finds himself drawn to Everleigh’s optimism and kindness–their disagreement over the inn becomes something sweeter. But with the arrival of Cade’s long-lost brother and the looming threat of a developer sniffing around the property, they’ll have to make some hard choices–together.
Can Everleigh and Cade let go of their expectations and build something lasting together? Or will the Sunshine Inn be the place they both leave behind?
Second Chance at Sunshine Inn by bestselling novelist Amy Clipston is a heartwarming, standalone romance, which features the grumpy/sunshine trope and a charming small-town setting that’s Netflix’s Falling Inn Love meets Debbie Macomber set in a seaside bed-and-breakfast. This book delivers all the emotions and butterflies, leaving out the explicit scenes. And it comes with engaging discussion questions, making it a fantastic choice for your next book club pick!
Tropes:
Grumpy/sunshine
Small town
No spice
Forced proximity
Second Chance at Sunshine Inn, by Amy Clipston, begins with an interesting premise. The main female character, Everleigh, is a traveling NICU nurse. The main male character, Cade, has a checkered past but is a fantastic cook! Both characters are thrown together, when, unbeknownst to them, they are both named as co-owners of Everleigh’s godmother’s bed and breakfast.
I like how both main characters, after much angst and questioning, begin to grow and accept each other, along with their thoughts and ideas.
I also love the references to North Carolina, because I lived there for many years and often daydream about the state.
The story started out with lots of promise. However, I just couldn’t get into it. Having said that, I have read many of Clipston’s books and totally enjoyed them. Perhaps it was just me, or my current circumstances, hindering my enjoyment. I’m sure others will thoroughly enjoy the story.
I received a review copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own, and I am voluntarily leaving this review.
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