Looking Back On 2020 | First/Last Reads | Monthly Reflections (Dec. 2020)

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Review: The Love Note by Joanna Davidson Politano

This post may contain “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link with my affiliate code and purchase an item(s), I will receive an affiliate commission. You won't be charged extra, I'll just receive a small percentage of the purchase price. See my disclosure page here.

About the book:

Focused on a career in medicine and not on romance, Willa Duvall is thrown slightly off course during the summer of 1865 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.

My rating:
5 stars
(View my rating system)

My thoughts:

The Love Note is my first read by Joanna Davidson Politano and I definitely plan on reading more of her books. This was a slower historical romance...I'm not sure if it was just because I was dealing with a reading slump or the storyline, but it felt like the story had a slower pace (which was NOT a bad thing - I actually really enjoyed that).

The characters were amazing. I felt like I truly got to know them and couldn't help feeling happy for the good moments and sad for the unhappy events. The romance was so good! I felt like the progression was believable and I just absolutely loved it!

All in all, The Love Note was a fantastic read and I highly recommend if you enjoy historical romance. I am eager to read more of this author's stories.

 

 

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Find the book on:
Amazon (aff link), Goodreads

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Review: His Daughter's Prayer by Danielle Thorne

This post may contain “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link with my affiliate code and purchase an item(s), I will receive an affiliate commission. You won't be charged extra, I'll just receive a small percentage of the purchase price. See my disclosure page here.

Amazon (aff link), Goodreads

About the book:

One little girl has a very big wish…

A mother is all his daughter wants…

Might an old love be the answer to her prayers?

Struggling to keep his antiques store open, single dad Mark Chatham can’t turn down his high school sweetheart, Callie Hargrove, when she offers her assistance in the shop. But his daughter is wishing for a mommy, and she’s convinced that Callie is the perfect match. As they work to save the business, will their little matchmaker reunite Mark and Callie for good?

My rating:

4 stars
(View my rating system)

My thoughts:

His Daughter's Prayer was an adorable Love Inspired read. I loved the characters and romance story. I thought Mark's daughter was precious and loved that aspect of the story.

All in all, His Daughter's Prayer was a great read and I recommend it. It was a quick read and one that I thoroughly enjoyed. I thought the author wrote the story well and I look forward to reading more of her books.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

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Weekend Wrap-Up (December 25th) - Merry Christmas!! 🎄

Weekend Wrap-up is where I share what I read this past week, am currently reading, and my reading plans for the coming week. 

Feel free to join along and post your own Weekend Wrap-up on your blog/site (if you do, please leave the link in a comment so I can stop by) or, in a comment, share what you've read this past week. :)

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Books I Finished This Past Week:

While I didn't finish any books this week, I DID make some decent progress on some books, which makes me happy. :) 

What I'm Currently Reading: 

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Review: The Price of Valor by Susan May Warren

About the book:

A high-octane mix of love and adventure

Kidnapped by rebels while serving as a humanitarian aid worker in Chechnya, 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 former Navy SEAL Hamilton Jones for safekeeping. Signe is ready to give her life for her country, and she can hardly expect Ham to rescue her after breaking his heart over and over.

Hamilton Jones has never forgotten the only woman he loved--and he can't believe after all these years she's shown up alive. But can he forgive her for her secrets? And, when Ham discovers the reason Signe has kept her distance, he must choose between love for her and love for the nation he has vowed to protect.

Will he save the many? Or the few? And what is the price of valor?

My rating:
4 stars
(View my rating system)

My thoughts:

The Price of Valor is the third book in Susan May Warren's Global Search and Rescue series. I really enjoyed finally getting to read Ham and Signe's story, even if it wasn't a very easy read. 

The story has suspense, danger, and romance. The characters had some deep issues that made them much more realistic and I felt for them. 

All in all, The Price of Valor was a good read. I only recommend this series for mature readers as there are some elements that might not be suitable for younger readers.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Find the book on:
Amazon (aff link), Goodreads

This post may contain “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link with my affiliate code and purchase an item(s), I will receive an affiliate commission. You won't be charged extra, I'll just receive a small percentage of the purchase price. See my disclosure page here.

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Review: Nothing Short of Wondrous by Regina Scott

About the book:

It is 1886, and the government has given the US Cavalry control of Yellowstone. For widowed hotelier Kate Tremaine, the change is a welcome one. She knows every inch of her wilderness home like the back of her hand and wants to see it protected from poachers and vandals.

Refused a guide by Congress, Lieutenant William Prescott must enlist Kate's aid to help him navigate the sprawling park and track down the troublemakers. But a secret from his past makes him wary of the tender feelings the capable and comely widow raises in him. As they work together to protect the park and stand firm through injustice and tragedy, they may just find that two wounded hearts can share one powerful love when God is in control.

My rating:
4 stars
(View my rating system)

My thoughts:

Nothing Short of Wondrous was an interesting story. I enjoyed the setting and thought the characters were realistic. Kate was a wonderful main character. She was strong and in charge of her life. I loved how she knew the land so well and wasn't afraid to protect it.

The romance was good. I thought the characters were well-matched and the ending was satisfying. 

All in all, with romance, good characters, and a little danger, Nothing Short of Wondrous was a very nice read and one I think fans of historical romance will enjoy.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Find the book on:
Amazon (aff link), Goodreads

This post may contain “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link with my affiliate code and purchase an item(s), I will receive an affiliate commission. You won't be charged extra, I'll just receive a small percentage of the purchase price. See my disclosure page here.

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Top Ten Books On My Christmas Wishlist

After seeing the upcoming topics for Top Ten Tuesday, I'm hoping to participate in most of them as they sound so fun and I've missed doing these posts. I hope you will enjoy them. :)

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This post may contain “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link with my affiliate code and purchase an item(s), I will receive an affiliate commission. You won't be charged extra, I'll just receive a small percentage of the purchase price. See my disclosure page here.

Top Ten Books On My Christmas Wishlist

I actually don't have a "real" Christmas book wishlist, so these are just books I'd like to acquire eventually. :)

#1, #2, & #3

The Supper Club series by Carla Laureano. I've heard wonderful things about this series and have been wanting to read it ever since.

#4

One Final Breath is the only book in this series I haven't read. 

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

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What are some books on your Christmas wishlist? Please share. :)

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My Favorite Reads of 2020 + Social Media

This post may contain “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link with my affiliate code and purchase an item(s), I will receive an affiliate commission. You won't be charged extra, I'll just receive a small percentage of the purchase price. See my disclosure page here.

2020 Reading Challenge

Melanie has completed her goal of reading 100 books in 2020!

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121 of 100 (100%)

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2020 has been quite a memorable year. I didn't read as many books as I did in prior years, but I did read some amazing stories and that makes me happy.

Here are my favorite reads of the year (in no particular order):

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Weekend Wrap-Up (December 18th)

Weekend Wrap-up is where I share what I read this past week, am currently reading, and my reading plans for the coming week. 

Feel free to join along and post your own Weekend Wrap-up on your blog/site (if you do, please leave the link in a comment so I can stop by) or, in a comment, share what you've read this past week. :)

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Books I Finished This Past Week:

None. Still in my slump. I'm thinking about starting a contemporary story to try and get me back to reading. 

What I'm Currently Reading: 

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Bookish Wishlist + Gift List

This post contains “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link with my affiliate code and purchase an item(s), I will receive an affiliate commission. You won't be charged extra, I'll just receive a small percentage of the purchase price. See my disclosure page here.

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I don't know about you, but I can't believe Christmas is just around the corner. I thought it would be fun to share a list of things that are either on my bookish wishlist (most of these ;)) or things I think book lovers would enjoy. What are some things on your bookish wishlist?

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Monthly Reflections ~ November 2020

This post may contain “affiliate links.” This means if you click on a link with my affiliate code and purchase an item(s), I will receive an affiliate commission. You won't be charged extra, I'll just receive a small percentage of the purchase price. See my disclosure page here.

Monthly Reflections, where we take the time to reflect on the previous month.

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