Happy Friday! Can you believe Christmas is one week from today? I hope you’ve had some time to relax and enjoy this season, even in the midst of the busyness!

The book I’m featuring today for First Line Friday is definitely not a fun, lighthearted read, but it is a powerful and emotional story. Night Bird Calling by Cathy Gohlke won’t be out for a couple of weeks, but you can read the first line and my review below!

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

May 1941

“My mother was a beautiful woman, a magnificent and generous woman who loved music and poetry and literature and gardens.”

Night Bird Calling by Cathy Gohlke

The Basics

Title: Night Bird Calling

Author: Cathy Gohlke

Release Date: January 5, 2021

Genre: Christian historical fiction

My Rating: 3.5 Stars

From the Back Cover: When Lilliana Swope’s beloved mother dies, Lilliana gathers her last ounce of courage and flees her abusive husband for the home of her only living relative in the foothills of No Creek, North Carolina. Though Hyacinth Belvidere hasn’t seen Lilliana since she was five, she offers her cherished great-niece a safe harbor. Their joyful reunion inspires plans to revive Aunt Hyacinth’s estate and open a public library where everyone is welcome, no matter the color of their skin.

Slowly Lilliana finds revival and friendship in No Creek—with precocious eleven-year-old Celia Percy, with kindhearted Reverend Jesse Willard, and with Ruby Lynne Wishon, a young woman whose secrets could destroy both them and the town. When the plans for the library also incite the wrath of the Klan, the dangers of Lilliana’s past and present threaten to topple her before she’s learned to stand.

With war brewing for the nation and for her newfound community, Lilliana must overcome a hard truth voiced by her young friend Celia: Wishing comes easy. Change don’t.

My Thoughts

This book was my introduction to Cathy Gohlke’s writing, and I was impressed by her ability to weave a rich story full of historical detail and authentic characters. She offers a glimpse into the South in the early 1940s, when the horrors of racism and the KKK were still prevalent. Those topics, combined with the abuse several characters face, make this a book I would only recommend to older teenagers and above. However, the way these difficult topics are handled with such honesty and grace is what makes this such a powerful, moving story. Lilliana’s determination, Celia’s spunk, and Hyacinth’s story of redemption will stay with you long after the last page. This book is a must-read for historical fiction fans!

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Hoarding Books to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Happy Friday! I can’t believe it’s already time for another First Line Friday… December is flying by, and Christmas will be here before we know it! Today I’m featuring All Through the Night, an upcoming release by new-to-me author Tara Johnson.

April 1861

“‘What do you think, Songbird?'”

All Through the Night by Tara Johnson

The Basics

Title: All Through the Night

Author: Tara Johnson

Release Date: January 5, 2021

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover: With her stammering tongue and quiet ways, Cadence Piper has always struggled to be accepted. After the death of her mother, Cadence sets her heart on becoming a nurse, both to erase the stain her brother has left on the family’s honor and to find long-sought approval in the eyes of her father. When Dorothea Dix turns her away due to her young age and pretty face, Cadence finds another way to serve . . . singing to the soldiers in Judiciary Square Hospital. Only one stubborn doctor stands in her way.

Joshua Ivy is an intense man with a compassionate heart for the hurting and downtrodden. The one thing he can’t have is an idealistic woman destroying the plans he’s so carefully laid. When the chaos of war thrusts Cadence into the middle of his clandestine activities, he must decide if the lives at stake, and his own heart, are worth the risk of letting Cadence inside.

Everything changes when Joshua and Cadence unearth the workings of a secret society so vile, the course of their lives, and the war, could be altered forever. If they fight an enemy they cannot see, will the One who sees all show them the way in the darkest night?

My Thoughts

This was the first of Tara Johnson’s books I’ve read, but it won’t be the last! I can be a little picky when it comes to historical fiction, but this book had just the right balance of an intriguing storyline, historical detail, and engaging characters. I enjoyed the unique historical aspects, with a focus on the brave doctors and nurses who served the Union during the Civil War, both in Washington DC and on the battlefield. The added elements of Joshua’s clandestine work were fascinating from a historical perspective, and made the book hard to put down!

I loved Cadence and Joshua as characters and thought they complemented each other very well, even though they got off to a rocky start! They brought out the best in each other, helped each other grow, and accomplished so much more together than they could have on their own. This multifaceted story even had some suspense mixed in that led to some tense moments at the end! This book is a must-read for fans of historical fiction, especially from the Civil War era.

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Hoarding Books to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Happy Friday! It’s hard to believe it’s already December, and Christmas is only three weeks from today!

For today’s First Line Friday linkup, hosted by Hoarding Books, I’m sharing a new release by debut author Ashley Clark – The Dress Shop on King Street.

Downtown Charleston, 1946

“Millicent Middleton. That’s the name Mama told her to give if anyone asked. Half of it was honest, at least.”

The Dress Shop on King Street by Ashley Clark

The Basics

Title: The Dress Shop on King Street

Author: Ashley Clark

Series: Heirloom Secrets (Book 1)

Genre: Historical/Contemporary Fiction

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover: Harper Dupree has pinned all her hopes on a future in fashion design. But when it comes crashing down around her, she returns home to Fairhope, Alabama, and to Millie, the woman who first taught her how to sew. As Harper rethinks her own future, long-hidden secrets about Millie’s past are brought to light.

In 1946, Millie Middleton–the daughter of an Italian man and a Black woman–boarded a train and left Charleston to keep half of her heritage hidden. She carried with her two heirloom buttons and the dream of owning a dress store. She never expected to meet a charming train jumper who changed her life forever . . . and led her yet again to a heartbreaking choice about which heritage would define her future.

Now, together, Harper and Millie return to Charleston to find the man who may hold the answers they seek . . . and a chance at the dress shop they’ve both dreamed of. But it’s not until all appears lost that they see the unexpected ways to mend what frayed between the seams.

My Thoughts

How could a heritage half-denied bring a life fully lived?

The Dress Shop on King Street is a fascinating story about two women whose lives are intertwined in ways they never imagined. It’s hard to believe this skillfully crafted time-slip novel is Ashley Clark’s debut!

Although they share a love of dressmaking, Millie and Harper are different in many ways. Living in the South in the 1940s, Millie was able to pass as white but struggled with feeling like she was abandoning her heritage. In the present day, Harper is facing rejection of a different kind – in her education and career. When she and Millie decide to open a dress shop together, pursuing their shared dream brings them both healing and new relationships they didn’t expect. Peter was a kind, endearing hero to both Millie and Harper. I really enjoyed seeing how all the threads of the different timelines and characters came together in the end!

One of the hallmarks of a great novel is relatable characters, even when their experiences are so different from your own. Those kinds of stories remind us of the humanity we share, and that was definitely the case in this book! This story of second chances, forgotten dreams, and sacrificial love will stick with you long after the last page. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series in May 2021!

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Hoarding Books to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Happy Friday! It’s hard to believe another week has gone by, but here we are, ready for another First Line Friday less than a week away from Thanksgiving! The book I’m featuring today is a must-read for suspense fans – keep reading for my review of The Escape by Lisa Harris.

“There is a razor-thin edge between justice and revenge, where the two easily blur if left unchecked.”

The Escape by Lisa Harris

That line definitely gives you an idea of the intensity and suspense you’re about to encounter in this book!

The Basics

Title: The Escape

Author: Lisa Harris

Series: US Marshals (Book 1 of 3)

Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover: US Marshals Madison James and Jonas Quinn have orders to transport two high-profile prisoners across the country on a private plane. But when the plane experiences engine trouble en route from the Pacific Northwest to Colorado, the pilots crash-land the aircraft deep in the heart of the sprawling Salmon-Challis National Forest. 

With both pilots and one prisoner dead–and one fugitive on the run–Madison and Jonas must negotiate the rugged and remote backcountry as they track a murderer who is desperate to disappear . . . and will do anything to stop them.

My Thoughts

Lisa Harris’ new series is off to a great start with The Escape! If you like action-packed suspense that’s lighter on the romance, you will enjoy this book.

Madison and Jonas are US Marshals tasked with transporting a prisoner, and I really enjoyed learning more about this unique law enforcement agency. The fact that their prisoner escaped means we know from the start who the bad guy is, but that doesn’t lessen the suspense at all. He always seems to be one step ahead of the marshals as they track him across the country, keeping the tension high and the story fast-paced!

I appreciated the slower pace of the romance in this book – it feels much more authentic to both the suspenseful story and to Jonas and Madison. It also allows the rest of the series to focus on the same characters, which gives more opportunity for rich character development. Another thread that weaves the series together is the underlying mystery of who killed Madison’s husband – and who might be coming after her next. I can’t wait for the rest of the series, and I think fans of Natalie Walters, Lynette Eason, and Dani Pettrey will enjoy this book as well!

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Hoarding Books to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher as part of the Revell Reads blogger program. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Happy Friday! I can’t believe we’re less than two weeks from Thanksgiving; in some ways it seems like this year is flying by! I am on track to hit my yearly reading goal this weekend – I hope that wherever you are, you can get in some quality reading time this weekend too. The book I’m featuring for today’s First Line Friday linkup is a great one to savor on a fall weekend! The cover is gorgeous, and the story inside is even more beautiful.

Beverly, West Virginia

July 1934

“The day’s heat lay close to Loyal like a quilt he couldn’t push back.”

The Right Kind of Fool by Sarah Loudin Thomas

The Basics

Title: The Right Kind of Fool

Author: Sarah Loudin Thomas

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

From the Back Cover: Thirteen-year-old Loyal Raines is supposed to stay close to home on a hot summer day in 1934. When he slips away for a quick swim in the river and finds a dead body, he wishes he’d obeyed his mother. Desperate for help, he runs to the mountain cabin of his mostly absentee father, frantically trying to communicate the news with his hands.

Driven away by fear and guilt over his son’s deafness, Creed has played a distant part in Loyal’s life and language. But when he’s pulled into the murder investigation, he discovers that what sets his son apart isn’t his inability to hear but rather his courage. As the impact of the murder ripples through their West Virginia town, both will learn what it took to kill a man and what it takes to become one.

My Thoughts

What an exquisite, captivating story! This is the first of Sarah Loudin Thomas’ books I’ve read, but it won’t be the last. She does a beautiful job of writing from the unique perspective of Loyal, a young deaf teenager in 1934 rural West Virginia. I loved the way she was able to incorporate sign language into the story! When he accidentally discovers a dead body one summer day, a whole chain of events is set in motion that changes how everyone sees him – his parents, his friends, the community, and even himself.

While the mystery keeps the plot moving, the richly engaging characters are the stars of the show. Loyal’s growth throughout the book is compelling, as he is forced to make some hard choices. I loved the way he and his father begin to see each other from a new perspective and learn from each other as the story progresses, and Loyal and Rebecca’s growing friendship provided more touching moments. I highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction, especially Joanne Bischof’s Blackbird Mountain series!

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Hoarding Books to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Happy Friday! I am so excited about the book I’m sharing for today’s First Line Friday linkup – Things We Didn’t Say by debut author Amy Lynn Green just released this week, and I absolutely loved it. It’s such a unique twist on WWII fiction!

From Johanna Berglund to Charles Donohue, attorney-at-law

January 26, 1945

“Dear Mr. Donohue,

If I were an expert in criminal law, I’d be sick to death of outraged clients claiming to be falsely accused, and especially of weepy female clients wringing their hands and saying things like, ‘How could it have come to this?'”

Things We Didn’t Say by Amy Lynn Green

The Basics

Title: Things We Didn’t Say

Author: Amy Lynn Green

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover: Headstrong and determined, linguistics student Johanna Berglund has very definite plans for her future . . . plans that do not include returning to her hometown and the secrets and heartaches she left behind. But when the only way to her intended future is through undertaking a translator position at a nearby camp for German POWs, she reluctantly accepts.

Johanna arrives to find the once-sleepy Minnesota town exploding with hostility. Most patriotic citizens want nothing to do with German soldiers laboring in their fields, and they’re not afraid to criticize those who work at the camp as well. When Johanna describes the trouble to her close friend Peter Ito, a language instructor at a school for military intelligence officers, he encourages her to give the town that rejected her a second chance.

As Johanna interacts with the prisoners and censors their letters home, she begins to see them in a more sympathetic light, but advocating for better treatment makes her enemies in the community. The longer Johanna wages her home-front battle, the more the lines between compassion and treason become blurred–and she must decide where her heart truly lies.

My Thoughts

Amy Lynn Green has written a captivating debut novel! This unique WWII story is told entirely through letters, newspaper articles, and other correspondence. Even with the challenging format, the author captured each character’s distinct voice through their writing and wove together a fascinating look at some little-known aspects of the WWII era in America. We learn about life in a German POW camp through Johanna’s eyewitness accounts, and understand more about the struggles Japanese Americans faced through Peter’s perspective.

The epistolary format makes for rich characterization as we get inside the characters’ heads through their writing. I really enjoyed Johanna’s wit and determination, and Peter’s wisdom and encouraging spirit. Although we are reading about the action after the fact, there is still plenty of tension and anticipation to keep you turning pages!

This book is a peek into history wrapped up in a powerful, moving story that will linger with you after the last page. Fans of Sarah Sundin and Roseanna M. White will especially enjoy this novel. It will be going on my list of favorite books of 2020, and I will be eagerly awaiting whatever Amy Lynn Green writes next!

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Hoarding Books to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Happy Friday! For today’s First Line Friday linkup, hosted by Hoarding Books, I’m featuring a book that just came out last week – The Love Note by Joanna Davidson Politano. This is a beautiful story that’s perfect for curling up with on a cool fall day!

“There are two ways to truly know a person – one is to begin a friendship with them. The other is to end it.

– A scientist’s observations on love.”

The Love Note by Joanna Davidson Politano

The Basics

Title: The Love Note

Author: Joanna Davidson Politano

Genre: Christian historical romance

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover: Focused on a career in medicine and not on romance, Willa Duvall is thrown slightly off course during the summer of 1865 when she discovers a never-opened love letter in a crack of her old writing desk. Compelled to find the passionate soul who penned it and the person who never received it, she takes a job as a nurse at the seaside estate of Crestwicke Manor.

Everyone at Crestwicke has feelings–mostly negative ones–about the man who wrote the letter, but he seems to have disappeared. With plenty of enticing clues but few answers, Willa’s search becomes even more complicated when she misplaces the letter and it passes from person to person in the house, each finding a thrilling or disheartening message in its words. 

Laced with mysteries large and small, this romantic Victorian-era tale of love lost, love deferred, and love found is sure to delight.

My Thoughts

Joanna Davidson Politano has written an enchanting story about the power of words and the way they can touch our hearts. The story centers around Willa Duval, a nurse who wants to become a doctor in a time when that’s not a woman’s profession, and an anonymous love letter she finds in her desk. As the letter makes its way through the manor, touching each person in a different way, it sets changes in motion that alter the lives of its readers forever.

I absolutely loved the author’s writing style and the beautiful way she crafted this deeply layered story. Willa is a bold and confident heroine, determined to reach her goals and still longing for a love that will give her the freedom to pursue her dreams. Gabe Gresham is a delightful hero, understated but charming in his own way. His tender heart allows him to see beyond the surface of everyone around him. The final chapters brought an unexpected yet satisfying conclusion – I never guessed the true author of the letter until it was revealed! This was the first of Joanna Davidson Politano’s books I’ve read, but it definitely won’t be the last.

Now it’s your turn! Please share the first line of the book you’re reading in the comments below. Don’t forget to head to Hoarding Books to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.