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A story filled with intrigue, smugglers, ventriloquist, spies, romance, heartbreak, and a traitor. Travel back in time to 1808 in The Innkeepers Daughter.

This story has so many moving parts that you just want to keep reading to figure out WHAT IS GOING ON??? Also, there were several times our hero needed a good purse whomping. I absolutely LOVED this story. The romantic tension between Alex and Johanna...*whew*...And the climax of that tension in their kiss(es)...Make sure you keep a fainting couch nearby...and possible smelling salts.

The common thread throughout this story is all about giving over the control of our lives to God. It is easy to SAY that we trust God to see us through things...And yet we can still be found trying to fix all the little things that go wrong on our own...Trying to make it all better...in our own power. Instead of trusting for a door to open from God...we pry open the cellar door into destruction and chaos and say, "LOOK! I found a way!!! It isn't a GOOD way...but I did it ALL ON MY OWN!" Michelle Griep addresses the need to trust in our Lord so well. And it really rings true.

If you love a good romance that is clean and passionate, sprinkled with mystery and intrigue, this is definitely a book that you will enjoy!

I received a complimentary copy of The Innkeeper's Daughter from the publishers through Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write an honest review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
  
Caraval
Caraval
Stephanie Garber | 2017 | Young Adult (YA)
8
8.1 (97 Ratings)
Book Rating
A good read
Contains spoilers, click to show
Scarlett Dragna has never left the tiny island where she and her sister, Tella, live with their powerful, and cruel, father. Now Scarlett’s father has arranged a marriage for her, and Scarlett thinks her dreams of seeing Caraval—the faraway, once-a-year performance where the audience participates in the show—are over.

But this year, Scarlett’s long-dreamt-of invitation finally arrives. With the help of a mysterious sailor, Tella whisks Scarlett away to the show. Only, as soon as they arrive, Tella is kidnapped by Caraval’s mastermind organizer, Legend. It turns out that this season’s Caraval revolves around Tella, and whoever finds her first is the winner.

Scarlett has been told that everything that happens during Caraval is only an elaborate performance. Nevertheless she becomes enmeshed in a game of love, heartbreak, and magic.

It was good!
Lots of twists and turns as Scarlett tries to find her sister in a world created by magic. After escaping her father Tally takes on a whole new persona to save both her and her sister from a life where they are beaten and tormented by a father that is pure evil. Scarletts search for Tally pairs her up with Julien who she falls for although promised to a count! Both her father and count track them down at the caraval in an attempt to drag them home so Scarlett can be married off to the count that's paid a lot of money for her!
Here Scarlett discovers the whole plot put into motion by her sister and the legend.
Looking forward to book 2!

Recommended

⭐⭐⭐

  
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Guy Garvey recommended For the Roses by Joni Mitchell in Music (curated)

 
For the Roses by Joni Mitchell
For the Roses by Joni Mitchell
1972 | Rock
(0 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"I'm a fan of the album as a concept, but I'm in an album band that never discussed doing anything else and I never sit down and listen to one side on an LP, you know? I'll listen to both sides and that was with me from the beginning. She locked herself away in a cabin with no electricity to make that record. Just her own company and you hear the heartbreak start and end on that record. Genuinely, you know. She really had her heart ripped out and stomped on, and it's so full of love and yearning and adoration and then bitterness and recrimination. And again, it's just a resonant, beautiful thing and it captures a moment in time. And you know, everything from what I consider to be Joni's only swear in a song, she says in the song: 'Woman Of Heart And Mind': ""Drive your bargains/ Push your papers/ Win your medals/ Fuck your strangers/ Don't it leave you on the empty side?"" Can you imagine having that levelled at you? Like a machine gun of character assassination, but she says in the same song, ""You know the times you impress me most/ Are the times when you don't try/ When you don't even try"". It's great – songs, quite often, especially if it's lyric-heavy music, if it relies on the narrative, as Joni's stuff does, the stuff that deals earnestly and honestly with the grey areas, is what knocks me into next week. Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen and Joni Mitchell, but of the three she is the best."

Source
  
Love, and Other Things to Live For
Love, and Other Things to Live For
Louise Leverett | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry, Humor & Comedy, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The protagonist in this book is Jess, a struggling photographer, heartbroken after separation from her boyfriend, she is trying to piece her life together with the help of an amazing group of friends. I really liked Jess's friends, they are very believable but at the same time supportive and amusing personalities. I have mixed opinion about Jess, I liked her character and her determination, but at the same time, her decisions didn’t make sense to me sometimes, especially when it comes to men.

The narrative of this novel sounds quite realistic, and I was engrossed in Jess’s journey and her struggles. I really liked that the plot was not just plodding along, telling the events of Jess’s daily life, but the author threw in some interesting turns and different perspectives to shed more light on all the events happening in the book. It allowed to know more about Jenny’s friends and how they feel in different situations. The topics discussed in this book were love, friendships, hard work, heartbreak, dreams, self-growth, etc.

I really liked the writing style of this novel, it would feel like chick lit story sometimes, but the author incorporated her little analyses of different life topics, that made the whole book richer and more sophisticated. The chapters felt quite long at times, but the story itself didn’t leave me bored. I really liked the ending of this book, it was unexpected but rounded up this story very nicely.

So, to conclude, this was a very refreshing and indulgent book, filled with realistic, believable characters and difficult life choices, perfect for everyone who suffers after a breakup or anyone who struggles to accomplish their goals.
  
Marek (Guardians of Hades #4)
Marek (Guardians of Hades #4)
Felicity Heaton | 2020 | Paranormal, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Marek is the fourth book in the Guardians of Hades series and I really couldn't wait for the researcher's story! He has been hinted at in the previous books but, of course, you don't find out much until he gets his own story.

Marek has his past that he is "dealing" with. Well, he's not, not really, but it makes him feel better. Caterina goes out hunting vampires every night because she thinks if she kills his sire, her brother will return to 'normal'. When these two meet, sparks fly... literally!

Poor Marek! And poor Caterina!! Both of them were hurting before they found each other but even then it didn't go smoothly. Now, of course, I know it never does but these two really had it bad. How about turning into something the man you're falling for hates and literally fights every day? Yeah, not easy. However, in true Felicity Heaton style, they not only managed to overcome these obstacles but also found their HEA along the way. Of course, they also found murder, more mystery, betrayal, and heartbreak but it's all for a good cause! 😉

This is such a great series and Marek is a fantastic addition to it. A thoroughly enjoyable story from start to finish, with cameos from the other brothers, and plenty of steam between our two main characters. Absolutely brilliant and I can definitely recommend it. Now, bring on the next!

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!