So excited to be included in this collection as an author! I was a blessing to be a part of this anthology and work alongside the other talented writeSo excited to be included in this collection as an author! I was a blessing to be a part of this anthology and work alongside the other talented writers, and we're so excited to share these stories with you!...more
This is my first-ever anthology published with Wild Blue Wonder Press. It features myself along with seven other amazing authors: Faith BlumHey folks!
This is my first-ever anthology published with Wild Blue Wonder Press. It features myself along with seven other amazing authors: Faith Blum, Andrea Renee Cox, Bailey Gaines, Grace A. Johnson, Katja H. Labonté, Rachel Leitch, and Erika Mathews.
Springtime in Surrey, the first collection releasing with Wild Blue Wonder Press, is a Christian anthology featuring eight lovely stories. With a mix of historical and contemporary, romance and women’s fiction, a dash of mystery here and there, real-life themes presented in a loving way, and a vintage feel, this story is sure to charm lovers of Christian women’s fiction.
Each of these stories could easily have a G or PG rating if they were a movie. Think "thematic elements," like in a Jane Austen adaptation.
Here is a brief description & content warnings for each novella.
Jesus, I Am Resting
A WWI story with a romantic subplot that discusses the important themes of rest and trust in God. This story features brief mentions of the war, of illness & injury, and of death, but all of them are perfectly G.
The Cottage on the Hill
This story is about a former ballerina recovering from a tragic accident and her cheerful, farm-worker suitor. This story features brief mentions of illness, disability, and injury in a G-rated way.
If I Knew You Were Coming
This WWII novella features a mother struggling to keep her children safe while dealing with a potential visit from her soldier husband. This story features PTSD, war wounds, and death/grief in a G-rated way.
Her Heart's Home
This novella, set in the early 1920s, features a woman tossed out of her home and a sea captain searching for a safe harbor. This story features some clean but vivid description of war-related PTSD and a few kisses, as per its romantic storyline, in a G- or PG-rated way.
The Tussie-Mussie
This novella, set in the early 1900s, features a disgraced debutante fighting to save her brother, only to meet a kind reclusive author who changes her life. This story features brief references to verbal abuse, but is perfectly G-rated.
The Odd Duck Society
This contemporary storyline features a young woman trying to rescue her family's tea shop all the while she and two new friends receive mysterious letters from famous authors. This story is G-rated and features little that I could warn you about. I will note that the main character vividly suffers from anxiety.
Fear Not Tomorrows
This historical novella concerns the worries of a young woman separated from her betrothed and the journey with God she goes through as she accepts this change of plans. This story is G-rated and features little that I could warn you about save perhaps mentions of illness and death.
Courage to Stay
This Regency-era novella is about a bride chasing her husband into the woods to rescue him from himself. This story features a semi-vivid portrayal of war-related PTSD and references to war, a few kisses, and one scene (fade to black) where it is hinted that a married couple remained together overnight and few reflections of events thereof in the morning, all in a PG-rated manner.
So this book was a wild ride, and I'm going to try breaking it down a little. (Spoilers throughout.)
Overall summary: I didn't think it was too bad, ceSo this book was a wild ride, and I'm going to try breaking it down a little. (Spoilers throughout.)
Overall summary: I didn't think it was too bad, certainly not as bad as some did, but I also didn't think it was too good, certainly not as good as some did.
Basically: the portrayal of healthy and unhealthy sexual attraction was GOOD, in my opinion. But the characters were also stupid, in my opinion.
So let's break some things down in a chaotic manner.
Collin & Charity & Faith (& Mitch!)
Collin and Charity are easy to understand. Colin is a lost soul, and his backstory totally checks. He’s not a Christian and has no need to be moral—so why should he? Granted, his behavior is awful, and not just from a Christian perspective. From a secular perspective, he seems iffy on the concept of consent when it comes to kisses, plays with the two sisters and many other women in a senseless way, and in general is a jerk. That said, he has redeemable qualities, and personally, I hoped he would be redeemed from the beginning. Also, I did see some people saying his attraction to “good girls” like Charity (??? not a good girl ???) and Faith was unrealistic, but … I mean, he made out with Faith (more on that later) and had a history with her and in general, she was the forbidden fruit. Totally makes sense to me. Plus, from a Christian perspective, you can just tell Collin is soooo close to being done with his life, and it makes sense that he’d be searching around for something good.
Charity, meanwhile, is a “good, Christian girl” whose parents arguably didn’t feed her much information about sexual things, leading to her seeking out these relationships in an unhealthy way for the risk and adventure of it. (In my opinion, her parents are way too vague with her. They need to sit her down and give her a long talk about healthy sex, sexual arousal, etc. It might not have helped much, but at least then they could say they did their best.) But even if they had, I think Charity would’ve sought this out. And again, I found her interesting, but I’m a Scarlett O’Hara fan, so you can’t trust my opinion.
Faith … I don’t get. Granted, I LOVE the conversations and accountability with her mentor character and friend—I think the book did a good job addressing lust and giving Faith some tools for countering her attraction to Collin, jealousy toward Charity, etc. (I find it sad that she can’t trust her parents with this, but then, they’ve proven themselves to be not entirely straightforward, so it makes sense.) That said, Faith chose not to use those tools. And I get that. I’ve struggled with sin myself (as we all have)—I’ve done so with and without the proper tools, and I know that, though the proper tools make it easier, they do not always guarantee that we make the right choices, even if we want to. Yet Faith chooses again and again to make the wrong choices, to put herself in dangerous positions (knowing her tendency toward lust/attraction when it comes to Collin), and further, she doesn’t seem to specifically address the very iffy things he does toward her, such as kissing her without her consent or invitation (which she seems to take as a matter of course). In fact, no one really does talk about it or address it, even when Faith tells her mentor the first time it happens (more on that later).
Then of course there’s the deal with Faith's brief boyfriend Danny. Apparently, what’s okay for Collin to do is NOT okay for Danny to do. I’m left confused about what Faith believes, what she will and will not allow, etc. I mean, clearly she knows the word “no.”
Also, Faith could’ve told Charity about Briana a whole heck of a lot sooner. Just saying. Honestly, there were a lot of situations where Faith should’ve spoken up earlier. She could’ve told Charity, for instance, that she and Collin have kissed! I’m glad she eventually told her parents the truth about her and Collin, but she didn’t tell Charity, and she also didn’t tell Charity or her parents when Collin cheated on Charity.
That said, I didn’t actively dislike Faith. I just thought she was on parr with Collin and Charity in terms of loose morals. “But she didn’t actually do anything …” She didn’t actually sleep around, you mean? Believe it or not, that’s not the only sin, nor is it the worst sin.
Then ... there was Mitch. The whole storyline with Mitch confused me. It seemed so out of the blue! And 34 to 20 is just … a creepy age gap? Especially when she's so young and immature and he's not a great guy? I know 14 years is okay, but the power dynamic just made it worse. Then he calls her into his office, as her superior, and ends up kissing her … she should've run. She should have left the job! But of course, she didn't feel like she could … and for some reason, it doesn't occur to her to do so? Anyways, she lets him take her out to dinner and is all giggly and acts like it's a real date—and maybe that it could even be good that he's distracting her from Collin. He also has her drinking wine, so yeah. So risky. And I ... I disagree with all of this. It's just another opportunity to lust. I'm starting to believe Faith has a serious issue with lust, and it's not really addressed that way?
Anyways, she lays down the law in terms of not sleeping with him before marriage, but she apparently doesn't care about his spiritual state or moral ill behavior … or that he's her supervisor. And further, until Marcy learns how old Mitch is, she doesn't care? And even then, she doesn't protest enough. And like, I know Faith says he's Catholic, but he's certainly just "in name only" … and like, I don't know much about Catholics, but I assume truly devout ones aren't just out there picking up drunkard womanizers off the street and going, "But he says he's Catholic so it's okay?" Anyways, I also just find it weird that Faith is so INTO him? Like, unlike with Collin, she's 100% okay with him as long as they don't sleep together.
That said, he does reform … and it feels kind of unrealistic, but I'm giving it a pass.
What does annoy me is that he's into Charity. Not every man is going to be into every woman, and given both her age and her relationship with his fiancee, he should not be seeing her that way. I feel like either the author has made Charity irresistible for no reason — or feels that all men cannot resist a pretty woman. Equally as harmful.
What Mitch did was awful, and I feel like Faith's reaction was justified.
That said, in the end, I felt like Faith SHOULD HAVE ended up with Mitch ... but she didn't. I agree with some reviewers who said that it felt like the book has this idea that soulmates are actually a thing, and it's so annoying. Because they're not.
Anyways, moving on ...
Patrick and Mitch
Glad to see married love rep’d, but I have some problems with how it was rep’d in a scene or two - not because of the sexual content but because of the way it's addressed. Forgiveness without information on what actually happened is not forgiveness, suffice to say, and there needed to be a bit more talking before the sex or it comes off as "hate sex," which was (probably) not the author’s intent. There’s a reason why it's a fanfic trope.
Basically, I needed Patrick to go a little further to meet Marcy. (And to not be dumb in the first place, but that's fair. I believe internally he has addressed the sin well; he just needed to do more for his poor wife.)
Some of the family dynamics are a little unhealthy (other than just Faith and Charity), and I'm sick of Patrick making Faith accountable for Charity's actions (STOP!!!), but maybe that'll be resolved.
The other issue I have is that when Patrick or Marcy talk to their children about morality … well, they talk to them about morality. I think Patrick even says something like, “We’re a moral family, so we don’t do that!” some time. But there’s so much more to a conversation between a parent and a child about why boundaries are observed that will then encourage said child to maintain the boundaries when their parents are not around. Just saying “we’re moral” doesn’t have any justification for why morality must be observed.
Also, if Patrick really was a man like Collin once, why is he so hard on him? And why was Marcy willing to marry him in the first place?
Their spiritual development was WEIRD. Had Marcy never read the Bible before Patrick’s "death"? Does she have faith at all? To be fair, the spiritual situations of the characters in general were hard to track.
A word on consent ...
It's even more important amongst Christians than it is in non-Christians. No matter what you say, it is.
Christian fiction wants the bad boy to kiss the girl without asking so she doesn't have accountability and can still enjoy a "swoon-worthy" kiss without the guilt. Nevertheless, being kissed (especially that MUCH) by someone who you don't want to kiss you, even if you subconsciously want him to, is not actually fun and sets a dangerous precedent for men and women.
Please, please, Christian authors. STOP THE RANDOM KISSING WITHOUT ASKING FIRST AMONGST COUPLES WHO AREN'T COMMITTED. If they're in a relationship or it's clear that they both want to be kissed or whatever, fine. But it is never fun to have someone kiss you without any kind of warning when you're not together is actually NOT FUN.
A Word on Religion
The characters are all Catholic but exist in a world where Catholicism is not real-world Catholicism. It's like lukewarm Baptist with a hint more structure and less Bible-reading.
View this as a historical fantasy in terms of religious structure, and you'll be happier.
Random Other Stuff
To be honest, Mrs. Gerson is kind of a lackluster mentor. Yeah, she spouts the Bible stuff in a way that makes sense, but somehow it does come off as preachy to me? And I say this as someone who is the queen of preachy mentors, but like, in my opinion, the relationship comes first? And the relationships were not well-developed?
About Briana—it was mentioned in an off-handed way that she has gone through some serious trauma throughout her life—including CSA by her own father. I don’t think you can just pray that kind of trauma away … the book does not, however, address that.
There was very little grounding in reality in this story; however, I didn’t mind that. I tend to do that with my own books—and honestly, I prefer it … but I know most readers don’t. That said, it would’ve been fun to see more historical outlooks on life.
There were some places where the writing needed some help.
Summary
This is such a weird book.
It's always fun to see authentic, realistic portrayal of sexual sin, sexual attraction, and marital intimacy.
It's always weird how Christian authors choose to address things like Catholicism and how writing an "edgy" Christian fiction means writing unhealthy relationships that never are addressed in a meaningful way.
I also enjoyed the more dramatic actions, but like, at the end of the day, I want the dramatics to calm down and people to apologize for all their crap and become better in actionable ways. It's one thing when you're reading Gone with the Wind or The Great Gatsby ... but in Christian fiction, with the main characters being Christians, we can and should hold them to a higher standard. Especially if, at the end, we're saying, "these are the good guys!" not "these are the morally gray guys."
Like a Ship on the Sea is a standalone historical romance novel with ties to both The Chronicles of Alice & Ivy and the rest of its upcoming trilogy, Like a Ship on the Sea is a standalone historical romance novel with ties to both The Chronicles of Alice & Ivy and the rest of its upcoming trilogy, The Hilton Legacy.
This novel is a work of adult Christian fiction and is not necessarily appropriate for younger readers. However, it is a clean romance novel written in a God-honoring manner, and any more mature discussions are written from a strongly biblical lens.
Official Content Guide for Like a Ship on the Sea:
Language:
None.
Expressions: thank goodness (x1), heavens (x1), heaven help her (x1)
Violence:
None.
Mentions of war, particularly the American Civil War.
Sexual:
It's a romance, so there are a few kisses, undescribed (no on-page make-out sessions!).
There's a reference to a newlywed couple desiring sex.
Two characters have a brief, vague discussion about "marital intimacy" and navigating sexual relationships between Christian married couples during grief and trauma. This conversation is the primary reason I've advertised this story as adult fiction.
The main character mentions she had "the talk" with both of her older siblings at "probably a too-young age."
Though characters from past novels who have dealt with sexual sins are a part of this story, those aspects are not really mentioned or important to the story.
An engaged woman is having an affair. She's unrepentant, but she's also a minor character, and the main character who deals with her has other things on his mind.
Other:
Discussions of miscarriage, stillbirth, and post-partum depression. A minor character has attempted to commit suicide off-screen, and this (and her depression) are discussed in non-gratuitous manners.
On the other end of the spectrum, mentions of pregnancy and childbirth.
Mentions of and discussions of anti-Irish sentiment in America, England, and even Ireland itself, which also includes anti-Catholic sentiment.
It could be argued that Clarence Hilton is emotionally and financially abusive. I would probably agree with that argument, but I haven't dug into it much.
* * *
If I missed anything, don't be afraid to let me know! I did this one after the fact, so it's not as fresh on my mind.
I admit this wasn't my favorite of the Sarah Sundin books I have read, but it was still an entertaining read with themes and characters that I really I admit this wasn't my favorite of the Sarah Sundin books I have read, but it was still an entertaining read with themes and characters that I really enjoyed. On this one, I really enjoyed the historical information about the Dutch in WWII. I found it utterly fascinating, and it really made me proud to have the slightest bit of Dutch blood. (It's not much, but I still do have some!)
Else and Hemming (Henning? Henrik? What do we call this man!?) weren't my favorites, as I said before (I mean, who can compete with Lucie and Josie and Paul? And Evelyn and Peter, too. <3), but I still liked them. I think there was just something missing for me in the story, and I can't put my finger on it. Personal preference is all. Plus I did feel like the ending was a little rushing, but maybe that's because I truly didn't want it to end.
I'd recommend this to any lovers of WWII fiction! It's a perfectly clean, amazing romance with sacrificial love, amazing characters, and a beautiful historical background. It's full of heroism, standing up for what is right, and lots of fun sciencey stuff which was a blast to read....more
This book was such an adorable, Betsy-Tacy-ish story that gave me alllll the childhood vibes. I used to read dozens of books like this, and it was jusThis book was such an adorable, Betsy-Tacy-ish story that gave me alllll the childhood vibes. I used to read dozens of books like this, and it was just … the same style. The same vibe.
Granted, it was a little slow, but it can be fun to read something a little slow from time to time. I really enjoyed Norvia. However, my favorite characters were definitely Dicta, Virgil, and Vernon. Unlike others, I didn't REALLY care terribly much for most of the boys running in and out of Norvia's life (non-romantically, which means friends and brothers). Like, they were all right, but none of them, including Aylmer, really interested me. Overall, the family dynamics were AWESOME, though. I was so excited for Novia's new and improved family!! Especially her new big sister. <3 I loved her!
The plot was, as I said, a little slow. Even though it didn't particularly take a long time for the plot to get started, it still had a sloggy feeling. That was just the style of the book, though, and as I said, I didn't mind terribly. It was just worth mentioning that there were definitely some points where I was a little boring. I also really disliked the flashbacks as they always took me out of the story and were difficult to keep track of, despite being dated. I found myself skipping them to get to the "actual story," if you will. (Plus, you know. Despite Norvia's POV and all, I just couldn't buy into caring about her dad or anything related to him. I didn't love her mom, either, but in particular, I wanted to be away from her dad and move into her great new family! Did I mention her new family was great?)
It was also interesting hearing hints of several different cultures in this story, and seeing how, realistically, in the era there wasn't a lot of understanding or respect for different cultures OR for situations like Norvia found herself in (the child of divorced parents). (BUT OH MY GOSH HER STEPFATHER. I'm sorry, Alymer is all right, I guess, but find yourself a man like Norvia's stepdad. And I've honestly forgotten if he was Vernon or Virgil, but anyways, THAT GUY. Though I did like her stepbrother, too. He was basically Colin Lennox. Like, 100%. If you know, you know.)
Anywho, basically, this was an adorable story, and I highly recommend it for middle grade and adult readers. It's great for a nostalgia boost....more
The writing didn't improve from the last book, nor did the development that much, but I do feel like it was a slightly tighter story. Mich4.5/5 again.
The writing didn't improve from the last book, nor did the development that much, but I do feel like it was a slightly tighter story. Michelle seemed more developed than Laura to me - though I was a bit confused about how she feels about the company?
I mean, to be fair, there were probably quite a few points I was confused because I started skim-reading because I really just am interested in the plot and characters, and you can get that without ... reading. If you're a homeschooler who has learned to work smart and not hard, anywho.
I do love Zane still. And his sisters are honestly pretty cute, too. (Michelle, you're lucky because Zane is <3 <3 <3 #mangoals)
Like I said, it does take away my eagerness to share this story that it's not super developed, and it all just reads as one continued story, so reading individual volumes is not going to work, in my opinion.
And now I'm so curious about Jilly. I have an idea, but ... I also have an idea that this genre isn't necessarily going to ... do that idea? That would be super heavy. How could they take that on in one book? Anyways, we'll see, because let me tell you, I cannot not finish this story....more
4.5/5 because I feel like it wasn't super well written, but I still deeply enjoyed it. It's an excellent story!
Michelle, Jilly, and Laura all stand ou4.5/5 because I feel like it wasn't super well written, but I still deeply enjoyed it. It's an excellent story!
Michelle, Jilly, and Laura all stand out as unique and interesting characters (I want to write siblings like this!), their knowledge is extensive and believable, and the plot is interesting. Pleased how clean it was, too, as the author made the decision to keep us out of the bedroom but still be realistic about the situation the characters were in, which I don't see enough of. I feel like this is one of the few situations where a rushed marriage can work well! (I really like Zane! I mean, I also like Caleb, but ZANE!)
But again ... not well-written, the themes weren't well-developed, and I honestly feel like I haven't seen much growth in terms of the author's writing style, etc., over the years. However, maybe that's just me. I feel like there was so much more editing and general development that could've gone into this story to make it excellent - and more likable to people who, unlike me, weren't just pleased with the characters.
However, I'm not in charge of writing other peoples' stories - just to enjoy them or not and report my impressions. Therefore, I shall remember the parts of this book I loved and be a little ashamed of my recommendation....more
It took way too long for the (view spoiler)[murder to happen (hide spoiler)] but other than that, it was good. And I see why it took so long, as it waIt took way too long for the (view spoiler)[murder to happen (hide spoiler)] but other than that, it was good. And I see why it took so long, as it was set up very classically.
I do feel like there was a bit more room for angst, but that's really a me problem - not the problem of the book. The atmosphere and feel of the book was great, and it really reminded me of an older mystery - Agatha Christie, as other reviews have mentioned, for instance.
I also did like a lot of the things that were set up with minor characters. I wished there'd been a bit more focus on the major characters' backstories, but it was still fit in all right, and I think it all came together to form a fun mystery!...more
But I did love it - I'm just not sure I liked it ... or disliked it ... or anything.
I thought it was fEarly Exclamations:
I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TO THINK.
But I did love it - I'm just not sure I liked it ... or disliked it ... or anything.
I thought it was fantastic. I really like Harriet, actually, and Jonas, but he was grumpy and she had to do SO much growing that sometimes it was hard to believe ... well, certain plot points. That said, it was mostly just so enjoyable that I cannot rate it lower or complain about it at all, because I just enjoyed it a lot.
Actual Analysis:
I knew while I read this that not everyone was going to love this book. If this is your first Hunter book … eh, maybe not. There's some things about this book that just do not work if you haven't read her other books - and other things about it that require you to trust the author - and other things about it that are just not for everyone.
Do you remember reading Emma and hating the title character? If you threw said Austen book across the room rather than finishing it to its (in my opinion) very satisfying conclusion, this may not be the novel for you.
That said, I personally found this to be a 5-star read. I loved it. I love Harriet with her Miss Woodhouse-like meddling, though in the end, her motives were considerably purer. I loved Jonas with his gruffness. I loved the light, somewhat gruff, somewhat goofy dialogue - I am not looking for constant serious romantic mush, and this couple totally gave me that sharp wit without all the fluff that I frankly don't need.
Really, this book was written for someone like me … but I can see how that might be problematic for the average romance writer.
There were certain plot points in this book that I felt were rushed, especially toward the end, but I was no less satisfied by the way the plot, themes, and characters concluded. I am miserably, MISERABLY sad that the series is over, though! I grew to love the heath and the people who live there. The friend group is just ...
GAH. Kristi Ann Hunter writes friend groups/found families that I can only aspire to!
Also, can we just admit that this book is unapologetically UNIQUE? Thank heavens! Finally!
Anyways, this is a clean, cute, fun book that should delight writers with its writer-y scenes, Emma lovers with its Emma-like scenes, horse lovers with its horsey scenes, and ... oh, y'all, please, be gentle with it, for my soul needed this even if yours didn't. :P Okay, just kidding. I would never seek to influence someone's thoughts but ...
CAN'T YOU SEE MY BABIES ARE HURTING.
That is all.
Any Acknowledgements:
I received a free ebook copy of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for my honest thoughts. A positive review was not required.
And the Aubrey Automobile with theEarly Exclamations:
ALFKADFAJDGKJADKFAJDFKAJDFKAJSDFKLA
JOSIE
JUST JOSIE
Also, Lucie is the cutest.
aND I ADORE PAUL TOO.
And the Aubrey Automobile with their Au is hilarious but fun.
I am so bourgeois, y'all. So, so bourgeois. And I'm saying this to a bunch of creative reviews, readers, and authors, so consider me brave - but I do not get you. I want to. But I am so on Paul's side here. xD France is amusing, though.
That's all I have to say on the subject. Except spoilers.
(view spoiler)[SO APPARENTLY this whole "forbidden to be in love but are in love" thing is MY TROPE because it killed me so much that I couldn't sleep or let my husband sleep until tHEY KISSED which was great, and Matthew will attest to the fact that it made me squeal a LOT.
THE A(U)RABESQUE THING.
ALSO, Peter and Evelyn have TWO babies, thank heavens - finally an author is giving me enough babies, enough being "the amount that a couple can conceivably have." (hide spoiler)]
Actual Analysis
I still have a book hangover from this one.
As I mentioned in my original squeals, I was delighted. Utterly delighted. I don't think I liked it as much as When Twilight Breaks, but it was a near second. I started it a bit skeptical but Lucie seems like just the type of chick I wouldn't like, but I often say that about Sundin's heroines and then end up utterly wooed.
Just ... oh, the beauty. The beauty through the pain. I am delighted - that's the only way I can properly express my love of this book!
All the characters were so real. All the situations so sweet. And the whole forbidden romance story ... Apparently that's my thing. Like, I had no idea, but apparently it is. Call it the rebel in me or the fact that I just can't bear to see two people with a genuine connection be denied access to each other.
Maybe I am a hopeless romantic after all ...
I want to be professional, but instead I'll leave you with those thoughts. READ THIS! Know that it's great. If you don't understand why after you read it, I'm happy to try to explain better.
Any Acknowledgements:
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange from my honest review, which I have given. No positive review was required.
I always knew I could write a cute Christmas story!
I still haven't written one with a legitimWant to review the book? Fill out this form!
Dear Knights,
I always knew I could write a cute Christmas story!
I still haven't written one with a legitimate purpose, but oh well. Can't win 'em all.
You were too much fun to write, allowed me to show some things I never got to show in the main series novels, and basically, allowed me a chance to ENJOY writing for a bit. Which, granted, I always do in part. But this was true, unabashed "just for fun" writing.
I hope you'll be a true, unabashed "just for fun" read, too.
Enjoy yourself.
Official Content Guide for The Knights of Pearlbelle Park:
Language:
None.
Expressions: heaven knows (x1), for heaven's sake (x1)
Violence:
N/A
A character claims a second character killed a third character as surely as if he had "taken a gun and shot her" (first character is being mildly dramatic, but to be fair, the second character is a jerk).
Sexual:
Mentions of and kissing/touching between married couples, within reasonable limits. PG unless you give it your full imagination, in which case I say PG-13.
A mention of a man "seducing" a young woman. A mention of a man who tends to take advantage of servants, though it's very veiled. If you know the story, you know what's going on, basically.
Other:
Mentions of pregnancy and mentions of a woman who died due to childbirth. Several mentions of illnesses (nothing graphic or gross) and of someone who died in a previous story due to illness. Mentions of a baby dying not long after birth and the accompanying grief of the baby's parents.
If Charlie could kill Frosty, he would have killed Frosty. Malicious intent present in story.
This was the first book that made me realize that Hazel was TWENTY-TWO. Twenty-two. I almost cried.
***
This is probably one of the "cleanest" stories I've written in a long while; don't expect this to ever happen again. :P
Another book I wasn't sure I was going to write. In fact, up until a few months before I wrote you, you didn't exist.
But I wrote a snippetDear Castle,
Another book I wasn't sure I was going to write. In fact, up until a few months before I wrote you, you didn't exist.
But I wrote a snippet. A small snippet of an in-between story, a scene that (mostly) ended up in the novel.
Something about Jordy's thoughts and descriptions in that scene triggered a story idea.
Triggered the title, more than anything. "After Our Castle." How could I not write that?
The story grew. I realized Ivy had a great deal more to say than Jordy. Then I realized this was a great opportunity for Violet to finally have her own voice (especially since we may not get her POV in book 8, but shh, don't tell).
Castle, I didn't expect you, but I came to love you more than most of my stories.
You're personal, in some ways. Oh, I'll never experience anything like the Jordy/Violet/Ivy storyline. But there were elements that certainly felt real to me. Almost too personal. Of course, in other ways, it was helpful - because, at least, I can give Ivy the happy ending I can't guarantee for myself. Not in the way I'd like to, in my all-too-human eagerness to embrace what I want over what I, perhaps, need.
This book is filled with emotions because it is filled with those kinds of snippets I mentioned earlier. The one-off types that I used to develop my characters. Somehow, God created a story that allowed them all to be beautifully included while the rest of the novel built naturally around them.
Yet editing this book wasn't easy, either. Jordy was hiding from me, probably because he was also hiding from Ivy. I also found myself less enchanted with him than I am normally. (After all, he was getting in the way!) I knew this would happen, of course, as I outlined, but I didn't expect the sheer indifference I felt toward him.
Which of course meant I had to edit all my indifference out. Which took a while!
In summary, I'm so pleased I get to finally share After Our Castle with the world, even though it definitely is a more vulnerable, mature novel than some I've written in the past.
May it bless you as much as it blessed me.
(And, if you don't hate Jordy too much, return for more of Ivy and Jordy and some Violet in book 8, Love Once Lost.)
Official Content Guide for After Our Castle:
Language:
None.
For heaven's sake (x1), heavens (x2), thank goodness (x2)
Violence:
None.
Brief mentions of injuries being treated by a doctor (nothing on screen).
Sexual:
A few kisses between married couples, not described. Opaque references to a married couples' private life, including a scene where it's hinted that something happened.
Two characters argue continually about how much access Character 1 should have to information about Character 2's private relationship with her husband (Character 2 doesn't want to share anything, and she is correct in that she shouldn't have to). This includes a few vague references to birth control (in the context of the historical era) and/or family planning. An argument between a group of characters (mostly off-screen/unwritten) about birth control (some say it's immoral, some say not). There are a few references other than this to the fact that a couple is choosing not to have children, though it's mostly angst. (For more information on this, I do have an article now that discusses the subject! Just let me know if you want a link.)
References to a man's sexually immoral past (see book 4) which he has since repented of.
Mentions of and discussions about adultery/lusting after a married person/lust vs. love.
Mentions that a minor character's son is illegitimate.
Other:
Violet is still Violet. And she has large sections entirely from her point of view.
A main character deals with depressive thoughts and thinks about past suicidal thoughts. She also makes a few guarded references toward self-harm and has a brief conversation that could be interpreted as being about self-harm (though it's left somewhat vague, it is hinted that she probably damaged her upper arm at some point). Her emotional turmoil is very present in this book.
Brief reference to another character attempting to take her own life (see book 5) and the guilt some of her family members feel about not having recognized the signs.
Mentions of periods/monthly cycles. Because women had those back then. (Don't worry, men. Women no longer have periods. They just pretend to annoy you.)
Mentions and discussions of infant loss and miscarriage. A man fears his wife will die in childbirth. A lot of talk about babies, pregnancy, childbirth, etc.
A scene in which a woman gives birth and it is viewed through the eyes of someone who's not really paying attention to the details. Mentions of related blood, sweat, etc.
This is a different kind of "constant baby talk" than there was in book 5, but I feel like it could be just about as crushing if you're in a situation where it would be crushing.
First thought: I wish authors would stop branding their books as "book 1" when really it's like book 16 in a complicated series following many charactFirst thought: I wish authors would stop branding their books as "book 1" when really it's like book 16 in a complicated series following many characters.
If you're going to incorporate other characters from your other series in books, take a bit of time to explain what's going on to anyone who hopped in thinking, "Oh, this is book 1!" Kristi Ann Hunter does it well (I LOVE her inclusions of old cast members!), but I'm not sure I remember that many other authors who do.
Second thoughts ...
There are too many thoughts for a second thought. I have All The Thoughts. This book was a crazy train wreck.
But before I get into that, I just want to say: I did sort of enjoy it. Sort of. It was very frustrating, but for enjoyment's sake only, I can say it was a decent read. I wanted to finish it because it was dramatic, and because I wanted to see if it'd pick up, so it wasn't a, "I'm going to stop now" kind of bad.
Also, if you're the author, or know the author, or have read and loved this book, please skip this review! I'm going to ramble, but I understand that I'm not the book's target audience.
So let's just do bullet points of my thoughts.
-In my personal opinion, the writing was amateurish. It just didn't have a unique style, and it felt largely unpolished to me. -It definitely had a lot of exposition - the author really likes her characters to have pages upon pages of thoughts about every feeling, past event, current event, future event, etc. That made it a hard read to get through, and I skimmed a lot as time went on. -I sort of felt it read like fanfiction? Which makes no sense, but there it is. Is "fanfiction" a writing style? That was the author's writing style. -Nothing really ever happened in this story, ever. The author kept hinting that something was going to happen, but there was no plot. Only the characters' feelings. -Every single character in this book at some point gave either Thomas or Lily or both terrible relational advice. Yes, there were a few good moments, but overall, everyone in this book should not be in a relationship. Ever. -THERE ARE PRACTICAL STEPS ONE CAN TAKE TO HELP ONE'S MARRIAGE SUCCEED! There. I've said it. It's not all "waiting until she falls for you," etc. It's about PRACTICAL, LOVING steps to make a PRACTICAL, LOVING relationship. -Honesty. Honesty. Honesty. HOW IS IT THAT ALL THESE SUPPOSEDLY HAPPILY MARRIED COUPLES PRETTY MUCH NEVER MENTIONED HONESTY? This book would've been concluded in a chapter if that had been the primary piece of advice offered, but no. It's mentioned maybe once or twice. -Manufactured drama ... I can't stand it, but it's very there. -The fact that people keep saying they're going to give Thomas some advice and then not? That happened like sixteen times. -Come to think of it, most of the things in this book happened at least a few times. If Lily had a thought, she repeated it over and over again. Same thing with Thomas's thoughts, and with advice given, and with events that were explained. The author probably didn't have enough content for a full book, and that's why, but still. -Love is sold as being purely emotional. I hate to tell y'all this, but love has emotional elements ... but the only lasting love you'll ever have will be love based on consistent actions and a self-sacrificing love. It is NOT about chasing some dreamlike emotion. Yet these married men, with presumably so much experience, literally tell Thomas that he can't MAKE HIMSELF love Lily - he just has to let it happen. Okay then? So much for a happy marriage. -Passion doesn't last long. It just doesn't. Sorry to burst your bubble, but if that's what's fixing your marriage, you are going to end up miserable in the end. -I hated Thomas. Regardless of the reasoning, it's a horrible move to . And his reasoning wasn't even reasonable? I also find it hard to believe he'd go FIVE WHOLE YEARS without ever having a conversation with his wife. And that no one would confront him (or her, for that matter) on their behavior when they're surrounded by good friends? I don't know. It's just a weird story. -Lily was pretty gumption-less. I wish she'd toughen up! Also, FIVE YEARS and she didn't even address children with him in all that time? Whyyy!? That's just not how this era works! -Lots of other character issues, but this review is already too long. -Historical accuracy. There was none. There was a lot of phrasing/language that was inconsistent with the time and setting, but more than that, it was the characters' attitudes. It's one of those stories where everyone refers to inaccurate, stereotyped variations of Regency era (again, applying Victorian stereotypes, which are again inaccurate, to Regency society!) ... but no one we meet is actually like that. Everyone on screen believes in love, thinks of marriage differently than everyone else, etc. Which wouldn't be so bad if they were basing it on anything real, but no one in this book seems to understand the difference between love and that temporary feeling of being "in love," and it's very frustrating indeed as someone who really loves and has studied this era! -It is legally impossible for a married woman in the Regency era to own an estate while her husband is alive. Even without entail, even with a newly bought estate, a woman was legally considered one with her husband, having no separate identity, and therefore could not own her own property. I'm mentioning this specific detail because I recently did some research for my own novel, and I very much wish it were possible because it would have resolved a plot hole I was working on ... but it just isn't. (See note 1.) -A couple small content issues existed. (See note 2.) But not enough to bother me if that had been the only issue with the book. But just be aware! -Still frustrated 'cause I couldn't keep track of who any of the characters were, but then I have a horrible memory, so we'll just blame it on that. -And then, to top it off, everything was too easily resolved. If all they have to do to earn each other's affection is say a few words and have sex - events which happened multiple times - then why was it such a big deal? Not at all the pay-off one wants after five years of unhappiness that were ground into the reader's head. It just failed to satisfy in any way. -Have I mentioned that everything that happened happened more than once? The same apologies, the same thoughts ... I have already mentioned it, but I'll say it again. It's worth saying again! Darn it, and I'm becoming repetitive, too, but there 'tis! -How many "second chances" are we gonna have and keep calling them "second chances"? I'm on "fifth chances," by my count. -Basically, this is just not the kind of romance I enjoy.
NOTE 1: By marriage, the husband and wife are one person in law: that is, the very being or legal existence of the woman is suspended during the marriage, or at least is incorporated and consolidated into that of the husband… and her condition during her marriage is called her coverture. … For this reason, a man cannot grant anything to his wife, or enter into covenant with her: for the grant would be to suppose her separate existence; and to covenant with her, would be only to covenant with himself: … a husband may also bequeath any thing to his wife by will; for that cannot take effect till the coverture is determined by his death. William Blackstone. Commentaries on the Laws of England. Vol, 1 (1765), pages 442-445
NOTE 2: this is not Christian fiction and has not been judged as such. Just for my fellow reader's sake, I'll mention that there were a couple minor swear words, but not in any way gratuitous. Also, there were some pretty heavy/passionate kissing scenes, but between a married couple, and we know that their sex life has gotten good once it does (e.g. it is much discussed! Which is understandable, given that they've had such a rocky life beforehand - I'd be talking about it, too!). However, we did not get any actual sex scenes, so it was overall a pretty PG/PG-13 story.
And ... those are my thoughts! Not something I'd recommend to my friends, but I can see that there's an audience for it.
Please, PLEASE tell me there will be a book about each of the gents!!!
I'm vaguely aware that this is a prequel to a different series of the authors, wPlease, PLEASE tell me there will be a book about each of the gents!!!
I'm vaguely aware that this is a prequel to a different series of the authors, which I have not read, but GAH. THIS book. THESE characters. THESE are the gems.
Okay, but to be honest, I rated it 5 stars in spite of the main couple who irritated me slightly. Granted, also touched my heart, but also irritated me. I was like, "Can y'all just ... not?" Especially the main guy, whose POV was a bit muddled. I had a hard time following him for a while/rooting for him. And the main girl was a bit ... whiny. Just a bit.
Also, they basically just gave each other loads of emotional trauma that will take years to work through, but whatever. rOmAnCe.
BUT for the Gents, I will rate this book a billion, bajillion, kermillion stars! They're all so cute....more
DNF at 38%. I just decided it wasn't for me - I was bored with the characters, situations, and writing styles. It felt quite basic. However, this is nDNF at 38%. I just decided it wasn't for me - I was bored with the characters, situations, and writing styles. It felt quite basic. However, this is no reflection on the book - which is why I decided to stop reading....more
I adored this little Christmas story. I mean, it was full-length, not little, but that didn't stop me from adoring it, naturally!
TOkay, that was cute!
I adored this little Christmas story. I mean, it was full-length, not little, but that didn't stop me from adoring it, naturally!
This book was precious. I adored Richard from the start - his grouchy demeanor didn't fool me for a minute. (I mean, no one who is purely evil owns a dog.) (Okay, that's not true - Hitler owned a dog. But he also killed that dog (? I'm not going to Google it so my faded memory will have to suffice) when the Allies invaded, so really, that negates it.)
Anyways, suffice to say, I didn't buy it, Richard. I knew there was good in you. Of course there was.
And Arabella was quite sweet! She did a good job balancing her scorn for Richard (totally earned) with a sense of kindness and just not being a nasty grouchy brat like a lot of heroines in romance novels. (Why are they always like that?)
I won't spoil this story for you, but I trust you'll enjoy it!
Content for Sensitive Readers: Richard has a reputation for being a "rake," even though not at all of it is true (and he has reformed). Arabella suspects several dishonorable things about him, but it's never described *what* she suspects, exactly. He also has a past with one of the women there, though it's not revealed what, and basically, it's in the past. Ummm ... I think that's about it. It doesn't really go past "I would like to kiss her" on the romantic attraction side; it's quite pure.
So, if you love Regency Christmas traditions, Jane Austen, and so on, definitely give this book a try! It's sweet as a sugarplum.
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