Scan barcode
parklandmom's reviews
768 reviews
A Valentine from Charleston by Ashley Clark
5.0
Read: December 2024
Series: Heirloom Secrets, #1.75
Format: Kindle e-Book novella
Book #146 of 2024: I loved the previous novella but this one is even better!! It was romantic and swoony without being too much. I loved these two characters and the entire storyline!
This novella is a great reminder about how eye candy doesn't always mean substance and that finding someone who sees you and gets you is far more valuable. This George reminds me of my own George, my husband of over 28 and a half years.
Ashley Clark sure shines at packing in a fabulous story into a short novella!
Series: Heirloom Secrets, #1.75
Format: Kindle e-Book novella
Book #146 of 2024: I loved the previous novella but this one is even better!! It was romantic and swoony without being too much. I loved these two characters and the entire storyline!
This novella is a great reminder about how eye candy doesn't always mean substance and that finding someone who sees you and gets you is far more valuable. This George reminds me of my own George, my husband of over 28 and a half years.
Ashley Clark sure shines at packing in a fabulous story into a short novella!
Christmas at the Inn by Ashley Clark
4.5
Read: December 2024
Series: Heriloom Secrets, #1.5
Format: Kindle eBook
Book #145 of 2024: This was such a fun novella and I enjoyed the chemistry between the main characters. Sometimes we can meet people in such unexpected ways and God just continues the path forward.
I loved how they fit together and how their dreams merged and stretched together. I read book 1 in this series and knew I would continue on. I will now be following this novella with the next novella in this series! I am following the recommended reading order by the author.
Series: Heriloom Secrets, #1.5
Format: Kindle eBook
Book #145 of 2024: This was such a fun novella and I enjoyed the chemistry between the main characters. Sometimes we can meet people in such unexpected ways and God just continues the path forward.
I loved how they fit together and how their dreams merged and stretched together. I read book 1 in this series and knew I would continue on. I will now be following this novella with the next novella in this series! I am following the recommended reading order by the author.
Once Upon a Summer by Janette Oke
4.25
Read: December 2024
Series: season of the Heart, #1
Format: audiobook from Audible Plus
Narrator: Johnny Heller (absolutely fantastic!)
Book #143 of 2024: I enjoyed this story a lot! The narrator couldn't have been better. A first person perspective from a young boy likely isn't easy but Oke did a wonderful job! I appreciate this family and they came together out of loss and heartache. They love one another and find joy in the every day. I'm particularly fond of stories between an individual and a grandparent figure.
Series: season of the Heart, #1
Format: audiobook from Audible Plus
Narrator: Johnny Heller (absolutely fantastic!)
Book #143 of 2024: I enjoyed this story a lot! The narrator couldn't have been better. A first person perspective from a young boy likely isn't easy but Oke did a wonderful job! I appreciate this family and they came together out of loss and heartache. They love one another and find joy in the every day. I'm particularly fond of stories between an individual and a grandparent figure.
How Her Ex Stole Christmas by Christy Barritt
2.25
Read: December 2024
Format: Kindle e-Book
Book #144 of 2024: I've enjoyed suspense books by this author but I didn't connect with this at all. Personally, I didn't find it believable or humorous. The mother-daughter relationship was the one aspect I appreciated as well as the one quote from 59% through:
"He’d discovered that when money was involved, men’s hearts could be changed entirely too easily. Most men could be bought."
Format: Kindle e-Book
Book #144 of 2024: I've enjoyed suspense books by this author but I didn't connect with this at all. Personally, I didn't find it believable or humorous. The mother-daughter relationship was the one aspect I appreciated as well as the one quote from 59% through:
"He’d discovered that when money was involved, men’s hearts could be changed entirely too easily. Most men could be bought."
Broken Noel by Brenda S. Anderson
4.0
Read: December 2024
Format: Kindle e-book
Book #142 of 2024: This is a short story but kind of a mini novella. It's from The Heart of Christmas anthology from The Mosaic Collection.
Losing a loved one at any time but during the holidays just seems extra difficult. I can understand why the main character is overwhelmed with the usual 'stuff' surrounding Christmas. How does one go on "as normal" when your wife is gone?
Noelle wants the opposite. She wants to do everything they always did. Everyone reacts differently in grief.
I love how supportive family and friends are. Even when it came time to give him some hard love and a kick, it's done with compassion and care.
Format: Kindle e-book
Book #142 of 2024: This is a short story but kind of a mini novella. It's from The Heart of Christmas anthology from The Mosaic Collection.
Losing a loved one at any time but during the holidays just seems extra difficult. I can understand why the main character is overwhelmed with the usual 'stuff' surrounding Christmas. How does one go on "as normal" when your wife is gone?
Noelle wants the opposite. She wants to do everything they always did. Everyone reacts differently in grief.
I love how supportive family and friends are. Even when it came time to give him some hard love and a kick, it's done with compassion and care.
Fragile Blessings by Susan M. Baganz
3.25
Read: December 2024
Format: e-book borrow from Everand
Book #141 of 2024: My 50th "new-to-me" author for 2024.
I found the premise of this story to be very intriguing. I think it would have been improved by being a longer story. This was more of a novelette. It seemed a little simple and matter of fact and tied up too neatly, so to speak. There are several typos with Colleen misspelled several times as Collen.
The loss of an infant is something horrible to endure but I appreciated that the husband and wife took in the orphaned children. They all needed each other.
Format: e-book borrow from Everand
Book #141 of 2024: My 50th "new-to-me" author for 2024.
I found the premise of this story to be very intriguing. I think it would have been improved by being a longer story. This was more of a novelette. It seemed a little simple and matter of fact and tied up too neatly, so to speak. There are several typos with Colleen misspelled several times as Collen.
The loss of an infant is something horrible to endure but I appreciated that the husband and wife took in the orphaned children. They all needed each other.
Where Courage Calls by Laurel Oke Logan, Janette Oke
4.25
Read: December 2024
Series: Return to the Canadian West, #1
Format: Audiobook borrow from Audible Plus catalogue
Book #140 of 2024: I hadn't read a Janette Oke book in many years and it took me back. This series is written with her daughter, Laurel.
I enjoyed this story of a newly graduated teacher leaving a life of privilege and wealth to take on a position two provinces away in Alberta. The town has little to offer in things but has riches in many other ways. Beth quickly realized that the people have more needs than an education for the children. She pours herself into her community and begins to discover what is true wealth. She earnestly seeks to help with Bible teaching and reaching out to the ostracized miners.
Beth becomes aware of some nefarious activity in the seemingly quiet, little town. A near tragedy amps up the investigation.
This story remained interesting throughout and I'm looking forward to the second book.
Series: Return to the Canadian West, #1
Format: Audiobook borrow from Audible Plus catalogue
Book #140 of 2024: I hadn't read a Janette Oke book in many years and it took me back. This series is written with her daughter, Laurel.
I enjoyed this story of a newly graduated teacher leaving a life of privilege and wealth to take on a position two provinces away in Alberta. The town has little to offer in things but has riches in many other ways. Beth quickly realized that the people have more needs than an education for the children. She pours herself into her community and begins to discover what is true wealth. She earnestly seeks to help with Bible teaching and reaching out to the ostracized miners.
Beth becomes aware of some nefarious activity in the seemingly quiet, little town. A near tragedy amps up the investigation.
This story remained interesting throughout and I'm looking forward to the second book.
Christmas Ella by Angela Ruth Strong, Angela Ruth Strong
2.25
Read: December 2024
Format: PDF sent to Kindle
Book #139 of 2024: New-to-me author.
This is a fairly tale re-telling of sorts. There are two snarky sisters and an overbearing mom that all belong to the romantic interest. An old family friend is the fairy godmother. Ella is Cinderella to the wealthy Paxton's role as prince. The fancy blue dress even makes an appearance. It was my favorite fairytale as a young girl.
Unfortunately, this novella just didn't grab me at any point. I liked the airport scene at the beginning and how Paxton handled things at the end.
Format: PDF sent to Kindle
Book #139 of 2024: New-to-me author.
This is a fairly tale re-telling of sorts. There are two snarky sisters and an overbearing mom that all belong to the romantic interest. An old family friend is the fairy godmother. Ella is Cinderella to the wealthy Paxton's role as prince. The fancy blue dress even makes an appearance. It was my favorite fairytale as a young girl.
Unfortunately, this novella just didn't grab me at any point. I liked the airport scene at the beginning and how Paxton handled things at the end.
Celebrating Tina by Sara Blackard
4.0
Read: December 2024
Series: Stryker Force, #3
Format: Kindle e-book
Book #137 of 2024: New-to-me author.
I didn't read the first two in the series yet. I wanted to read this one first because I enjoy Christmas books in December. I'll get to those two another time. I don't care for the title of the book. It doesn't seem to fit with the others to me.
I enjoyed the character of Tina as well as Milo. The camaraderie of the Stryker Force is special. They are a family of sorts. The novella keeps you guessing about who the bad person is and what their motive is.
The romance gets off to a rather unconventional start but they both find ways to break through the heartache of the past. Scout the search dog is a terrific added bonus.
Series: Stryker Force, #3
Format: Kindle e-book
Book #137 of 2024: New-to-me author.
I didn't read the first two in the series yet. I wanted to read this one first because I enjoy Christmas books in December. I'll get to those two another time. I don't care for the title of the book. It doesn't seem to fit with the others to me.
I enjoyed the character of Tina as well as Milo. The camaraderie of the Stryker Force is special. They are a family of sorts. The novella keeps you guessing about who the bad person is and what their motive is.
The romance gets off to a rather unconventional start but they both find ways to break through the heartache of the past. Scout the search dog is a terrific added bonus.
Marry Me by Autumn Macarthur
4.0
Read: December 2024
Collection: Chapel Cove, #6
Format: Kindle e-Book collection
Book #136 of 2024: This is my first time reading this author. This is a sweet story with a woman named Melanie who had lost her father, father-in-law, and husband all within a relatively short period of time. Not only that, her young daughter has leukemia and things aren't looking good. Her daughter presents her with an extensive Christmas wish list and her most favoured with is for a new daddy. Not any daddy - "Dr. Santa" from the hospital. How could she refuse?
This story is a little over-the-top at times with the abundance of Hallmark-y moments. However, it is a sweet story about grief and healing, God's grace, and His constant presence. It is a sweet Christmas read.
Collection: Chapel Cove, #6
Format: Kindle e-Book collection
Book #136 of 2024: This is my first time reading this author. This is a sweet story with a woman named Melanie who had lost her father, father-in-law, and husband all within a relatively short period of time. Not only that, her young daughter has leukemia and things aren't looking good. Her daughter presents her with an extensive Christmas wish list and her most favoured with is for a new daddy. Not any daddy - "Dr. Santa" from the hospital. How could she refuse?
This story is a little over-the-top at times with the abundance of Hallmark-y moments. However, it is a sweet story about grief and healing, God's grace, and His constant presence. It is a sweet Christmas read.