“Driftwood Dreams” is the second book in the “The Carolina Coast” series and it is the third book I have read by T.I. Lowe. This book can be read separately, however, it is so much better if you read them together and in order to get the full enjoyment out of this book. In this novel, you get better acquainted with two of the characters from the first novel, Josie and August. You will also continue to hear about Opal and Lincoln who were the main characters from the first novel, “Beach Haven”. Josie is so scared after losing her mom that something bad will happen to her dad that she does not even try to follow her passion of art. She also spends what time she is not spending helping her dad assisting everyone else in town with whatever they need. August has finally come back to town to stay. Josie and August have a past history together and as you are reading you wonder if they will pick up where they left off. If you are looking for a good beach fun read and like some romance then this book is for you! T.I. Lowe does an amazing job of bringing you into the lives of her characters where you feel like you live in the town with them. You should definitely read this novel and the one before it.
Review of “Carolina Breeze” by Denise Hunter
“Carolina Breeze” is the second novel in the “A Bluebell Inn Romance” series. While you could probably read this book without reading the first, I would have to say that you would not like it as much by doing that. This is definitely one of those series where you should read the books in order because they build on each other. I have to say that this is one of the first times where I cannot say which of the two I like better. So far with this series I like both books the same. In both books the main characters from the Bennett family tend to over analyze, worry and over think so many things. I could completely relate to that because I do the same thing myself in all aspects of my life. If you are looking for a great relatable read then this book and the one before it, “Lake Season”, are the books for you.
Review of “Summer by the Tides” by Denise Hunter
This is the sixth book by Denise Hunter, including the novella she wrote for the “Smitten”, and I will have to say I have not been disappointed in a book I have read by her yet. As with several of her other novels, this book is set in North Carolina which I am always drawn in by since I live in North Carolina. In this novel, you are introduced to three sisters to whom all have different situations going on that are causing them difficulties when they all three get a call about their grandma going missing. Emma and Nora have issues between the two of them that go back twenty years ago. While Maddy has problems that just happened right before she receives the call from Connor (the neighbor of her grandma) about his concern that her grandma did not tell him that she was going anywhere and he is not sure where she is. All three sisters find themselves trying to figure out how to come together in order to go through things at their grandma’s house and hopefully some reconciliation will occur. Finally, I must share my favorite quote from this book. It was on page 193 – “Bear in mind” Emma said as they walked through the house, “granting forgiveness doesn’t mean granting trust. One is given, and the other is earned.” I definitely recommend this book to anyone.
Review of “Stay with Me” by Becky Wade
I have read several books by Becky Wade and I have thoroughly enjoyed everyone. This book was no exception to that. “Stay with Me” was even better than I was anticipating. It had so much going on that you could not help but want to keep reading until the end. It had part mystery and part romance. The characters all had different issues they were dealing with. Given that, you can find at least something you could relate to even if it was just the imperfection of a person. There were some heavy issues in this novel but Becky Wade did an excellent job with going about writing about them. Without giving anything away about this first book in the “Misty River Romance” series, I will say that the way this book goes definitely makes me ready and wanting to read the next one when it comes out in 2021.
Review of “What Momma Left Behind” by Cindy K. Sproles
Cindy K. Sproles is a brand new author to me. The blurb for this book sounded really interesting to me so I thought I’d give it a shot. Given that the blurb mentions that it is set in the mountains in 1877, I should have realized that the characters would have a old timey dialect. I did not think about that though I wish I had because it causes a book to be a slower read for me. However, I am glad that I did not let this stop me from continuing the book because there was a lot of mystery and good lessons to be had from this book. I would recommend it but just keep in mind that it may not be as fast a read as some of the other Christian fiction books you may be reading these days.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in order to give an honest review.