The Roses of Feldstone

***

PG

{UM} {TMP}

Not Recommend :(

I saw this in Seagull Book the other day...brand spankin' new!
I had never heard of this author before but it looked promising so I decided to give it a shot!
I am so sorry to say that I can't recommend this book because I felt like there was {TMP}.
There were also a few {UM} but I could have looked past those if it weren't for the passion :(
I liked the story, although, at times, I did feel like there was way too much miscommunication going on between the main characters and some of the conversations seemed unrealistically contrived.
If Mrs Hatch publishes more, I might be interested in trying them but I wish I could first whisper in her ear and ask her to tone things down so I could recommend her writing.

The Innkeeper's Daughter

***1/2

PG

{UM} {L?}

Could Probably Recommend

This book started out slow for me but about midway through it picked up and ended with quite a bit of action.

Besides a few {UM} the only complaint I had was that, while it is a very Christian book, she uses the Lord's name a lot and I didn't always feel that it was in a reverent way.

Quite clean otherwise!

The Secret of Haversham House

***1/2

PG

{BSt} {UM}

Possibly Recommend

This book was a little bit different in that you travel around Europe through the progression of the story.  I really enjoyed that and the descriptions of France and Italy.

It is a pretty predictable plot though and there definitely is a {BSt} attached to one of the lesser characters...which ends up being a pretty big part of the book.  Just a few {UM} but the characters are very likable and of course there is a happy ending for...almost everyone :)

I could probably recommend this book with the explanation of the backstory.

Kiss of the Spindle

***1/2

PG

{TMP} {UM}

Probably Not Recommend

I actually really enjoyed reading this Sleeping Beauty adaptation quite a bit.  It moved along quickly for me and kept me intrigued.  I liked the characters and the steam punk genre.

However, there was definitely {TMP} and a few {UM}.

Therefore, I can't really recommend it and won't be purchasing it.

If she would have tamed the kissing scenes way down I would feel good about suggesting it to others to read.

Annie's Secrets of the Quilt Series

***

PG

{TMP?} {BSt}

Could Probably Recommend

I could recommend them but I probably wouldn't just because the first two in the series just didn't grab me.  There were some interesting parts but I wasn't super attached to the characters and some of it seemed kind of juvenile.  I don't know, maybe I was in a bad mood when I read them :)  I almost gave the third one a try just to see if I liked it any better but decided against it.  This is one of those series that has multiple authors so it would make sense that someone would like some books in the series more than others.
As to the objectionable things, the {TMP} was probably just for the first book and there was also a backstory with an inappropriate relationship.  I don't remember anything too bothersome in the second except for maybe talk of infidelity among the court members (French Revolution time period).
If I ever decide to read the third I will give an update :)

The Aloha Quilt

**1/2

{L} {SM} {BSt}

PG (13?)

Not Recommend

While I loved the setting of this book (it took me back to our trip to Hawaii last year) and the hawaiian quilt culture/history in it, there was swearing {L}(including the name of the Lord in vain) and the focus of the book was the main character divorcing her husband because he cheated on her.  So there is a lot of talk about all the things that come with that {SM}.  There's also a bit of a backstory involving one of the other main characters {BSt}.

This is the first book of Jennifer Chiaverini that I have read.  I tried reading one of her historical fiction about the civil war and just couldn't get into it...which is strange because I usually love books like that.  I don't think I will read any more of hers since it seemed she was very comfortable with swearing.  If it were just the subject matter I might have tried a different one but...oh well.

Blackmoore

****

PG

{UM} {TMP?}

Recommendable

So I did have to go and read this one again as I mentioned in my review on Edenbrooke.

There were a few moments of discomfort {UM} mainly revolving around her flirtatious mother.

When it came to the passion, I didn't feel it was as strong as it had been in Edenbrooke but it was still just a little much for me.

There is more of an air of mystery surrounding Blackmoore and I'm always a fan of that.

I don't think I could say that I like one or the other of Julianne Donaldson's novels more.

They are both so enjoyable in their own ways for they really are quite different from one another.

I'm glad to have refreshed my memory on them now and will plan on reading them again in another five years when I have completely forgotten them (not that they are forgettable mind you...just because...you know...my brain and it's forgetful tendencies :)