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parklandmom's reviews
766 reviews
All About Mercie by Sharon Srock
3.0
Completed: Feb. 10/25
Series: The Mercie, #3
Format: Kindle e-book
Challenge Prompt: to be decided
Book #18 of 2024: I enjoyed the series prior but I found myself frustrated with this concluding e-book. It said 130 pages yet it ended before 90. That's misleading. Promotions of other books aren't part of the story.
It felt as though Scottlyn went backward in this book. For a very smart and perceptive young woman, who had been through a lot, fell for an obvious scam hook, line, and sinker.
I understand that people want to know where they came from but it was DIANA that was there for her. She was going to ask the father who kicked her out of the house to walk her down the aisle? Regardless of any changes he may have possibly made, DIANA was the one who was there for her. Then she turns around and practically alienates her future husband and was rather irresponsible and immature. The two people who were there for her more than anyone else were just cast aside for parents that weren't there for her.
I guess this book brought a few letdowns to mind regarding the time jumps between each mini novella. This would have been better as one book with the information and major parts included.
- Readers missed Brad's parents becoming a part of the picture and Penny's mental health turnaround
- Missed her time in college thus far
- Missed almost all of the dating relationship and engagement between her and Grant
- We miss almost all of the actual wedding ceremony
As a reader, I am being honest in saying that it was disappointing.
Series: The Mercie, #3
Format: Kindle e-book
Challenge Prompt: to be decided
Book #18 of 2024: I enjoyed the series prior but I found myself frustrated with this concluding e-book. It said 130 pages yet it ended before 90. That's misleading. Promotions of other books aren't part of the story.
It felt as though Scottlyn went backward in this book. For a very smart and perceptive young woman, who had been through a lot, fell for an obvious scam hook, line, and sinker.
I understand that people want to know where they came from but it was DIANA that was there for her. She was going to ask the father who kicked her out of the house to walk her down the aisle? Regardless of any changes he may have possibly made, DIANA was the one who was there for her. Then she turns around and practically alienates her future husband and was rather irresponsible and immature. The two people who were there for her more than anyone else were just cast aside for parents that weren't there for her.
I guess this book brought a few letdowns to mind regarding the time jumps between each mini novella. This would have been better as one book with the information and major parts included.
- Readers missed Brad's parents becoming a part of the picture and Penny's mental health turnaround
- Missed her time in college thus far
- Missed almost all of the dating relationship and engagement between her and Grant
- We miss almost all of the actual wedding ceremony
As a reader, I am being honest in saying that it was disappointing.
Begging for Mercie by Sharon Srock
4.0
Completed: Feb. 09/25
Series: The Mercie, #2
Format: Kindle e-Book
Challenge Prompt: CNL's #32 of 50 - "that includes more than 2 POVs"
Book #17 of 2024: I'm enjoying this series but I am very confused as to why these short books weren't released as one book?
Mercie is now a year old, Scottlyn is nearing her time at college and she has a good boyfriend. She learns that the man who assaulted her has died in prison. Unfortunately, Bradley's parents suddenly sue for custody. Scottlyn learns dependence on God in a whole new way as she navigates this unexpected trial and a new romance.
It's hard to really say something about such a short book that is under 90 pages. Diana is such a lovely support to Scottlyn and the reader can seen that Scottlyn has been positively influenced by her.
It ended abruptly but I'm looking forward to the conclusion to this series.
Series: The Mercie, #2
Format: Kindle e-Book
Challenge Prompt: CNL's #32 of 50 - "that includes more than 2 POVs"
Book #17 of 2024: I'm enjoying this series but I am very confused as to why these short books weren't released as one book?
Mercie is now a year old, Scottlyn is nearing her time at college and she has a good boyfriend. She learns that the man who assaulted her has died in prison. Unfortunately, Bradley's parents suddenly sue for custody. Scottlyn learns dependence on God in a whole new way as she navigates this unexpected trial and a new romance.
It's hard to really say something about such a short book that is under 90 pages. Diana is such a lovely support to Scottlyn and the reader can seen that Scottlyn has been positively influenced by her.
It ended abruptly but I'm looking forward to the conclusion to this series.
The Perfect Rom-Com by Melissa Ferguson
2.0
Completed: Feb. 08/25
Format: Advanced Reader Copy from Net Galley
Challenge Prompt: CNL's #43 of 50 -- "with an illustrated or typography cover"
Book #16 of 2024: I had not read this author before but I'm not one to shy away from reading a new-to-me author. It often works out. It didn't this time, I'm sorry to say. I started and stopped multiple times. I finally just read through in spurts but it just never piqued my interest. It wasn't a fit for me, or what I was expecting, but others may enjoy it. Books are so subjective.
NOTE: I was expecting a Christian fiction publication but there was no faith content at all. It was clean but not what I was expecting. I wish I had known beforehand so my expectations could have been adjusted. I don't mind clean content but I expect Christian content from a Christian publisher.
That aside, this book just wasn't for me. I have enjoyed many rom-coms but this didn't really read like a rom-com in my opinion. For me, a rom-com is funny but still has something to chew on to keep it grounded. Much of the content felt shallow and superfluous. The first 55-60% of the book didn't really go anywhere and I really struggled to keep going many times. The last 15% was the best part of the novel.
I found Bryony a weird mixture of dedicated and flighty. (???) I didn't care for Jack and considered him iffy and untrustworthy. Amelia, the untalented, annoying person that Bryony did the ghostwriting for, was just a mean-spirited, spoiled narcissist with no growth. However, I really liked the assistants, Bryony's Grandma, and her students. The scenes with them were the best scenes. They were very likeable. There were two passages that I highlighted but I did not find this book funny otherwise. That was disappointing.
[To be honest, the entire concept of ghostwriting is something that I find distasteful and dishonest. Someone takes credit for someone else's hard work and the readers are lied to. Why can't talented writers use their own name rather than giving credit to another? It makes zero sense to me. The mainstream publishing world seems to be incredibly cutthroat.]
>>> My thanks to Net Galley and Thomas Nelson (publisher) for an advanced copy of this novel. My words and opinion are my own.
Format: Advanced Reader Copy from Net Galley
Challenge Prompt: CNL's #43 of 50 -- "with an illustrated or typography cover"
Book #16 of 2024: I had not read this author before but I'm not one to shy away from reading a new-to-me author. It often works out. It didn't this time, I'm sorry to say. I started and stopped multiple times. I finally just read through in spurts but it just never piqued my interest. It wasn't a fit for me, or what I was expecting, but others may enjoy it. Books are so subjective.
NOTE: I was expecting a Christian fiction publication but there was no faith content at all. It was clean but not what I was expecting. I wish I had known beforehand so my expectations could have been adjusted. I don't mind clean content but I expect Christian content from a Christian publisher.
That aside, this book just wasn't for me. I have enjoyed many rom-coms but this didn't really read like a rom-com in my opinion. For me, a rom-com is funny but still has something to chew on to keep it grounded. Much of the content felt shallow and superfluous. The first 55-60% of the book didn't really go anywhere and I really struggled to keep going many times. The last 15% was the best part of the novel.
I found Bryony a weird mixture of dedicated and flighty. (???) I didn't care for Jack and considered him iffy and untrustworthy. Amelia, the untalented, annoying person that Bryony did the ghostwriting for, was just a mean-spirited, spoiled narcissist with no growth. However, I really liked the assistants, Bryony's Grandma, and her students. The scenes with them were the best scenes. They were very likeable. There were two passages that I highlighted but I did not find this book funny otherwise. That was disappointing.
[To be honest, the entire concept of ghostwriting is something that I find distasteful and dishonest. Someone takes credit for someone else's hard work and the readers are lied to. Why can't talented writers use their own name rather than giving credit to another? It makes zero sense to me. The mainstream publishing world seems to be incredibly cutthroat.]
>>> My thanks to Net Galley and Thomas Nelson (publisher) for an advanced copy of this novel. My words and opinion are my own.
Where Trees Touch the Sky: A Redwood National Park Novel by Karen Barnett
4.25
Completed: Feb. 5/25
Format: Audible audiobook
Narrator: Susan Bennett (always a treat!)
Challenge Prompt: TBBS's "a book with a nature theme"
Book #15 of 2024: This book had a beautiful emphasis on God's gift of nature. I learned a great deal about Redwood trees and the importance of preservation, even though it's something I had already believed in.
This novel is a split-time that goes between the early 1920s and 1972. It flows back and forth easily. Susan Bennett does a fantastic job of narrating each and every character. Barnett has a knack for vivid descriptions and well-defined characters. Marion and Frank are the main characters in the earlier timeline while June and Adam are in the 1972 timeline.
Marion is a staunch defender of preserving the Redwoods and Frank is the son of the lumber company wanting to profit. Things are pretty strained early on but they fall in love. Then a major event puts a whole new spin on everything.
June is a niece of Marion's by marriage. She strives to follow in the footsteps of her late uncle, her Aunt Marion, and her late brother by becoming a park ranger. Her gender and the damage left by polio are a sore issue with her. When she meets Adam, it doesn't go well. He has arrived to possibly take her job over due to questions about her handicap and ability to do the job. Late on the two strike a friendship and work together on a documentary to try and highlight the park, with a focus on her reluctant aunt. Their research uncovers question after question and June begins to wonder if her aunt isn't who she claims to be.
Format: Audible audiobook
Narrator: Susan Bennett (always a treat!)
Challenge Prompt: TBBS's "a book with a nature theme"
Book #15 of 2024: This book had a beautiful emphasis on God's gift of nature. I learned a great deal about Redwood trees and the importance of preservation, even though it's something I had already believed in.
This novel is a split-time that goes between the early 1920s and 1972. It flows back and forth easily. Susan Bennett does a fantastic job of narrating each and every character. Barnett has a knack for vivid descriptions and well-defined characters. Marion and Frank are the main characters in the earlier timeline while June and Adam are in the 1972 timeline.
Marion is a staunch defender of preserving the Redwoods and Frank is the son of the lumber company wanting to profit. Things are pretty strained early on but they fall in love. Then a major event puts a whole new spin on everything.
June is a niece of Marion's by marriage. She strives to follow in the footsteps of her late uncle, her Aunt Marion, and her late brother by becoming a park ranger. Her gender and the damage left by polio are a sore issue with her. When she meets Adam, it doesn't go well. He has arrived to possibly take her job over due to questions about her handicap and ability to do the job. Late on the two strike a friendship and work together on a documentary to try and highlight the park, with a focus on her reluctant aunt. Their research uncovers question after question and June begins to wonder if her aunt isn't who she claims to be.
Kate Landry Has a Plan by Rebekah Millet
4.5
Completed: Jan. 31/25
Series: Beignets for Two, #2
Format: advanced reader copy
Challenge Prompt: CNL's #26 of 50 - "Set in a bakery or restaurant" - Books & Beignets (bakery/café)
Book #14 of 2024: I'm a gargantuan fan of book 1 (Julia Monroe Begins Again) of this series and I think I unconsciously went into this book with Julia firmly on my brain. It's like I was expecting Kate to do and say things like Julia! Once I realized that, I had to stop myself. I made an internal switch to turn Julia off and enjoy Kate for who she is. Once I did that, everything clicked. It just got better and better as I read. Incidentally, Kate is Julia's best friend and she has a minor role throughout this novel.
Kate is 40 and a single parent to her niece of 13. Let's just say her wealthy parents are...... difficult. 😬 She has a wonderful beignet shop that she had opened with her sister years before. When her Claire and her husband were killed in an accident, she became the legal guardian of Hayley and sole proprietor of the café. Kate is striving to do everything she can to be a good parent, a good businesswoman, etc. She feels she has no room on her life for love. After all, her last relationship a decade before resulted in disaster. She just needs to put her nose to the grindstone and continue the plans her and her sister made.
Micah, her first kiss back in seventh grade, is back to town. Their friendship is renewed and then feelings arise. Kate finds herself coming up with every excuse she can to fight her feelings and a relationship. But Micah has other plans..... Cue the swoon!
Just like with book 1, there is humour. Whereas Julia is sarcastic and hilarious, Kate is more of a 'nerd' that likes alliteration and following the rules. She also tends to make a verbal blunder here and there. From her unusual word expressions to her semi-helicopter-ish parenting, she's a woman of honour and faith. One of her favourite expressions is the name of a celebrity. It reminded me of a Steve Carell movie where the actor groans, "Kelly Clarkson!"
And just like with book 1, there is far more to the novel than romance and humour. There are several layers. There are family conflicts, grieving, a girl's love for a dog, discovering one's talents, letting go of pain, etc.
I enjoyed learning more about New Orleans, owning a café, sweet Hayley and her pitifully ugly dog, and more. I especially loved Micah, despite his ugly Hawaiian shirts! 🍍🥥🌴 I appreciated his swoony, yet quirky, unabashed pursuit of Kate and being so patient with her. The staff at Books & Beignets is so special and I loved seeing Julia and Sam pop into the book. The honest friendship between the two is beautiful.
One of my favourite quotes from the novel:
"He'd taken the question marks I'd had of his interest in me and replaced them with exclamation marks. Exclamation marks in bold font.”
― Rebekah Millet, Kate Landry Has a Plan (Beignets for Two), p. 175
I highly recommend this novel. I just wish I had some delicious beignets to enjoy while I read it.... 😉 Maybe when I get my hands on the audiobook with the amazing Susan Bennett narrating , I'll make some beignets ahead of time!
-- Many thanks to the publisher, Bethany House, and Net Galley for an advanced reader copy. My honest review is voluntary and in my own words. This novel will publish on March 18, 2025.
Series: Beignets for Two, #2
Format: advanced reader copy
Challenge Prompt: CNL's #26 of 50 - "Set in a bakery or restaurant" - Books & Beignets (bakery/café)
Book #14 of 2024: I'm a gargantuan fan of book 1 (Julia Monroe Begins Again) of this series and I think I unconsciously went into this book with Julia firmly on my brain. It's like I was expecting Kate to do and say things like Julia! Once I realized that, I had to stop myself. I made an internal switch to turn Julia off and enjoy Kate for who she is. Once I did that, everything clicked. It just got better and better as I read. Incidentally, Kate is Julia's best friend and she has a minor role throughout this novel.
Kate is 40 and a single parent to her niece of 13. Let's just say her wealthy parents are...... difficult. 😬 She has a wonderful beignet shop that she had opened with her sister years before. When her Claire and her husband were killed in an accident, she became the legal guardian of Hayley and sole proprietor of the café. Kate is striving to do everything she can to be a good parent, a good businesswoman, etc. She feels she has no room on her life for love. After all, her last relationship a decade before resulted in disaster. She just needs to put her nose to the grindstone and continue the plans her and her sister made.
Micah, her first kiss back in seventh grade, is back to town. Their friendship is renewed and then feelings arise. Kate finds herself coming up with every excuse she can to fight her feelings and a relationship. But Micah has other plans..... Cue the swoon!
Just like with book 1, there is humour. Whereas Julia is sarcastic and hilarious, Kate is more of a 'nerd' that likes alliteration and following the rules. She also tends to make a verbal blunder here and there. From her unusual word expressions to her semi-helicopter-ish parenting, she's a woman of honour and faith. One of her favourite expressions is the name of a celebrity. It reminded me of a Steve Carell movie where the actor groans, "Kelly Clarkson!"
And just like with book 1, there is far more to the novel than romance and humour. There are several layers. There are family conflicts, grieving, a girl's love for a dog, discovering one's talents, letting go of pain, etc.
I enjoyed learning more about New Orleans, owning a café, sweet Hayley and her pitifully ugly dog, and more. I especially loved Micah, despite his ugly Hawaiian shirts! 🍍🥥🌴 I appreciated his swoony, yet quirky, unabashed pursuit of Kate and being so patient with her. The staff at Books & Beignets is so special and I loved seeing Julia and Sam pop into the book. The honest friendship between the two is beautiful.
One of my favourite quotes from the novel:
"He'd taken the question marks I'd had of his interest in me and replaced them with exclamation marks. Exclamation marks in bold font.”
― Rebekah Millet, Kate Landry Has a Plan (Beignets for Two), p. 175
I highly recommend this novel. I just wish I had some delicious beignets to enjoy while I read it.... 😉 Maybe when I get my hands on the audiobook with the amazing Susan Bennett narrating , I'll make some beignets ahead of time!
-- Many thanks to the publisher, Bethany House, and Net Galley for an advanced reader copy. My honest review is voluntary and in my own words. This novel will publish on March 18, 2025.
The Secret to Happiness by Suzanne Woods Fisher
4.0
Completed: Jan. 30/25
Series: Cape Cod Creamery, #2
Format: Audiobook borrow from Everand
Challenge Prompt: TBBS's "a book with a baking theme" - baking, ice cream making, and cooking are all elements of this novel
Book #13 of 2024: This is the middle book in a nice series centered around an ice cream business taken on by a widow and her daughter. This novel went beyond romance and actually focused more on personal and health issues.
This novel is largely about Callie, the niece to Marnie and cousin to Dawn from book 1. She is an accomplished executive chef at a young age who has lost her job and her way. Plagued and scared by a secret she's holding, she goes to see her aunt and cousin.
Gone is the vivacious, effervescent, positive person they've always known. She is a shell of her former self. Through patience and support, along with "positivity classes," based on a self-help book, Callie seeks to find the key to happiness.
I am not a fan of self-help books so I was a little concerned about that aspect. However, Bruno (author said book) is just so sincere and real that the reader can't help but respect him.
Callie's journey isn't smooth or without peaks and valleys. Like real life! Bruno is unwavering in his support as are Marnie and Dawn. However, Dawn's is more from a selfish perspective due to a lifetime of competitiveness with Callie.
Leo, a young boy, is the bonus within this novel. You can't help but fall in love with him just as Callie did. I also appreciated seeing a couple different groups of people working together as a unit, stronger together. Dawn and Marnie remain as central characters in this book as well.
The novel comes around to highlight that God's mercy, love, and direction are central to true happiness and peace. He can work through adults, children, books, life-altering moments, and everything else.
Series: Cape Cod Creamery, #2
Format: Audiobook borrow from Everand
Challenge Prompt: TBBS's "a book with a baking theme" - baking, ice cream making, and cooking are all elements of this novel
Book #13 of 2024: This is the middle book in a nice series centered around an ice cream business taken on by a widow and her daughter. This novel went beyond romance and actually focused more on personal and health issues.
This novel is largely about Callie, the niece to Marnie and cousin to Dawn from book 1. She is an accomplished executive chef at a young age who has lost her job and her way. Plagued and scared by a secret she's holding, she goes to see her aunt and cousin.
Gone is the vivacious, effervescent, positive person they've always known. She is a shell of her former self. Through patience and support, along with "positivity classes," based on a self-help book, Callie seeks to find the key to happiness.
I am not a fan of self-help books so I was a little concerned about that aspect. However, Bruno (author said book) is just so sincere and real that the reader can't help but respect him.
Callie's journey isn't smooth or without peaks and valleys. Like real life! Bruno is unwavering in his support as are Marnie and Dawn. However, Dawn's is more from a selfish perspective due to a lifetime of competitiveness with Callie.
Leo, a young boy, is the bonus within this novel. You can't help but fall in love with him just as Callie did. I also appreciated seeing a couple different groups of people working together as a unit, stronger together. Dawn and Marnie remain as central characters in this book as well.
The novel comes around to highlight that God's mercy, love, and direction are central to true happiness and peace. He can work through adults, children, books, life-altering moments, and everything else.
Serial Burn by Lynette Eason
4.5
Completed: Jan. 24/25
Series: Lake City Heroes, #3
Format: Audible audiobook
I have been enjoying this series so much. The characters are flushed out well with strengths and weaknesses. This story was very touching with the personal back stories but it was also very riveting in its suspense. A great balance is what makes a great suspense novel. I think this just may be my favourite season series. Thankfully, there is one more to come later this year.
A major point in this book is that everything we do has consequences. We need to think ahead and not act selfishly. When things do happen, we must ask for help when needed and find good support systems. Another major point, that struck me the most, is that many struggle to forgive themselves when that is impossible. Forgiveness comes only through and from God. We can't do it ourselves. It's His free and full grace alone.
*** NOTE: I simply HAVE to ask -- What sort of universe has a hospital cafeteria with food so great that people go there as though it were a restaurant??? A hospital SHOULD have great food to take care of ill and recovering people, but I've never been to one that can even get halfway on a scale of one to ten..... lol!!!😜
Series: Lake City Heroes, #3
Format: Audible audiobook
I have been enjoying this series so much. The characters are flushed out well with strengths and weaknesses. This story was very touching with the personal back stories but it was also very riveting in its suspense. A great balance is what makes a great suspense novel. I think this just may be my favourite season series. Thankfully, there is one more to come later this year.
A major point in this book is that everything we do has consequences. We need to think ahead and not act selfishly. When things do happen, we must ask for help when needed and find good support systems. Another major point, that struck me the most, is that many struggle to forgive themselves when that is impossible. Forgiveness comes only through and from God. We can't do it ourselves. It's His free and full grace alone.
*** NOTE: I simply HAVE to ask -- What sort of universe has a hospital cafeteria with food so great that people go there as though it were a restaurant??? A hospital SHOULD have great food to take care of ill and recovering people, but I've never been to one that can even get halfway on a scale of one to ten..... lol!!!😜
A Protector for Her Baby by April Arrington
4.25
Completed: Jan. 22/25
Format: Kindle E-Book
Challenge Prompt:
Book #10 of 2024: I'm not typically a Love Inspired Romance reader but this one intrigued me and came highly recommended. It just released yesterday (01/21/25) and this is a new author for me.
I like that there are layers to this story. The MFC is a divorced woman who was abused by her ex. During their separation, he kept trying to contact her. At one point, it results in an assault and she becomes pregnant. The storyline takes place AFTER all of that.
In her efforts to start over through a women's shelter, she meets the organizer's brother-in-law and takes a job caring for his mother with advanced dementia. Feelings develop but is it the baby drawing them together or is it more?
The storyline with his Mom hit me very personally and I feel it's something many can relate to. So many people have dementia or Alzheimer's and it's like enduring two deaths. However, I don't feel people should shy away from facing difficult storylines. They can help you see a different perspective and find further meaning. It can be healing.
Format: Kindle E-Book
Challenge Prompt:
Book #10 of 2024: I'm not typically a Love Inspired Romance reader but this one intrigued me and came highly recommended. It just released yesterday (01/21/25) and this is a new author for me.
I like that there are layers to this story. The MFC is a divorced woman who was abused by her ex. During their separation, he kept trying to contact her. At one point, it results in an assault and she becomes pregnant. The storyline takes place AFTER all of that.
In her efforts to start over through a women's shelter, she meets the organizer's brother-in-law and takes a job caring for his mother with advanced dementia. Feelings develop but is it the baby drawing them together or is it more?
The storyline with his Mom hit me very personally and I feel it's something many can relate to. So many people have dementia or Alzheimer's and it's like enduring two deaths. However, I don't feel people should shy away from facing difficult storylines. They can help you see a different perspective and find further meaning. It can be healing.
8 Down by Kimberley Woodhouse
4.25
Completed: Jan. 20th
Series: Alaskan Cyber Hunters, #2
Format: Everand audiobook & Kindle E-Book
Challenge Prompt: EOW's, "a book in a cold weather setting" (not a fan of the narrator!!)
Book #8 of 2024: Another great instalment in the Alaskan Cyber Hunters series! Lots of twists and turns, suspense, intrigue, but balanced with some regular moments. I particularly enjoyed the awkward, somewhat "nerdy" relationship that grew between the two main characters. I'm looking forward to the third and final novel in this series.
Series: Alaskan Cyber Hunters, #2
Format: Everand audiobook & Kindle E-Book
Challenge Prompt: EOW's, "a book in a cold weather setting" (not a fan of the narrator!!)
Book #8 of 2024: Another great instalment in the Alaskan Cyber Hunters series! Lots of twists and turns, suspense, intrigue, but balanced with some regular moments. I particularly enjoyed the awkward, somewhat "nerdy" relationship that grew between the two main characters. I'm looking forward to the third and final novel in this series.