Welcome to First Line Friday! Today I’m featuring Sarah Sundin’s newest WWII novel, Until Leaves Fall in Paris. Her books are always on my list of favorites every year, and this one did not disappoint!

Paris, France
Wednesday, May 29, 1940

“As long as she kept dancing, Lucille Girard could pretend the world wasn’t falling apart.”

Until Leaves Fall in Paris by Sarah Sundin

The Basics

Title: Until Leaves Fall in Paris

Author: Sarah Sundin

Publication Date: February 1, 2022

Genre: WWII Historical Romance

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

When the Nazis march toward Paris, American ballerina Lucie Girard buys her favorite English-language bookstore to allow the Jewish owners to escape. The Germans make it difficult for her to keep Green Leaf Books afloat. And she must keep the store open if she is to continue aiding the resistance by passing secret messages between the pages of her books.

Widower Paul Aubrey wants nothing more than to return to the States with his little girl, but the US Army convinces him to keep his factory running and obtain military information from his German customers. As the war rages on, Paul offers his own resistance by sabotaging his product and hiding British airmen in his factory. But in order to carry out his mission, he must appear to support the occupation–which does not win him any sympathy when he meets Lucie in the bookstore.

In a world turned upside down, will love or duty prevail?

My Review

Sarah Sundin sets the standard for WWII fiction in my book, and Until Leaves Fall in Paris is no exception. Every time I read one of her books, I learn something new about the WWII era. It’s apparent Sundin does her research, and the historical details come to life through her characters and settings. This is a captivating story of unexpected love in the face of adversity and unexpected courage in the face of evil. The romance between Paul, a misunderstood man of principle and conviction, and Lucie, a charming heroine who discovers she is stronger than she believed, is an enchanting part of the story. The suspense and intrigue of their work with the resistance make the book almost impossible to put down!

Until Leaves Fall in Paris is Sarah Sundin at her finest – engaging characters and powerful truths woven into a story that will stick with you long after the final page. I highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction, especially those who enjoy authors like Michelle Dobson and Amy Lynn Green, and also to readers who love finely crafted, compelling stories in any genre.

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 Reading is My Superpower 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. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, Revell!

Happy Saturday! There have been a lot of good books released so far in 2022 – if you’re a fan of the suspense genre, you might want to add Trust Me by Kelly Irvin to your TBR pile!

The Basics

Title: Trust Me

Author: Kelly Irvin

Publication Date: February 8, 2022

Genre: Contemporary Suspense

My Rating: 3.5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

Her best friend is murdered the same way her brother was years ago. Is there anyone she can possibly trust?

A decade ago, Delaney Broward discovered her brother’s murdered body at the San Antonio art co-op he founded with friends. Her artist boyfriend, Hunter Nash, went to prison for the murder, despite his not-guilty plea.

This morning, Hunter walks out of prison a free man, having served his sentence.

This afternoon, Delaney finds her best friend dead, murdered in the same fashion as her brother.

Stay out of it or you’re next, the killer warns.

Hunter never stopped loving Delaney, though he can’t blame her for not forgiving her. He knows he’ll get his life back one day at a time, one step at a time. But he’s blindsided to realize he’s a murder suspect. Again.

When Hunter shows up on her doorstep asking her to help him find the real killer, Delaney’s head says to run away, yet her heart tells her there’s more to his story than what came out in the trial. An uneasy truce leads to their probe into a dark past that shatters Delaney’s image of her brother. She can’t stop and neither can Hunter—which lands them both in the crosshairs of a murderer growing more desperate by the hour.

In this gripping romantic suspense, Kelly Irvin plumbs the complexity of broken trust in the people we love—and in God—and whether either can be mended.

My Review

I have really enjoyed Kelly Irvin’s suspense novels, and the description of this one definitely sounded intriguing. The story starts off with Hunter being released from prison after serving time for a murder he didn’t commit. He sets out to prove his innocence and win the forgiveness of his ex-girlfriend Delaney. Things are complicated when another one of their friends is murdered on the same day he is released.

While I appreciated the uniqueness of the story, I didn’t enjoy it as much as I have the author’s other books. I didn’t really feel connected with the characters, and the secondary plot line of Hunter’s investigation into the original murder felt a little like filler and a distraction from the real killer rather than a valuable part of the plot. Overall, it was still an enjoyable story, and if you’re a fan of the author I think you’ll still want to give it a try.

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

Welcome to First Line Friday! This week was so busy, I’m late posting… but at least it is still Friday 🙂 Today I’m featuring Shaped by the Waves by Christina Suzann Nelson.

“The Pacific Ocean licked the heat from her feet.”

Shaped by the Waves by Christina Suzann Nelson

The Basics

Title: Shaped by the Waves

Author: Christina Suzann Nelson

Publication Date: February 1, 2022

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover:

Cassie George is barely staying above water as she works to get her doctorate and raise her daughter. But she stubbornly keeps swimming to prove a few bad decisions haven’t ruined her forever. Plus, it’s all a great excuse to stay away from the small Oregon town she fled in shame years prior. But when she receives a call that the aunt who raised her has had a major health crisis, she knows it’s time to return.

Cassie is surprised to be more welcomed by the quirky seaside community than she expected, even if there’s still tension between her and her former classmate Nora Milford. But she still can’t help feeling unsettled and is mystified by a mysterious package that appears, full of typed pages that tell the story of an anonymous woman’s life. As her curiosity sends her on a journey toward truth, Cassie will discover that who she thought she was and what she wants for her life are both about to change.

My Review

Christina Suzann Nelson is a go-to author for powerful, thought-provoking, heartwarming stories, and Shaped by the Waves is no exception! The small Oregon town is a charming setting, filled with lots of likable characters. Cassie and her daughter, Lark, are lovable right from the beginning, and their story is a powerful reminder that families are more than just people we’re related to. The mystery woven in through the anonymous story Cassie received kept me turning pages late into the night. Fans of Irene Hannon’s Hope Harbor series or Robin Jones Gunn’s Glennbrooke series will love this book!

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 Reading is My Superpower 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! This is the second weekend in a row we’ve had a big snowstorm – perfect reading weather 🙂 Today I’m linking up with Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday and featuring In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh.

“Your Majesty, I am afraid the news is not good.”

In Search of a Prince by Toni Shiloh

The Basics

Title: In Search of a Prince

Author: Toni Shiloh

Publication Date: February 1, 2022

Genre: Contemporary Christian Romance

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover:

It seems like a dream come true . . . until it forces her to question everything.

Brielle Adebayo is fully content teaching at a New York City public school and taking annual summer vacations with her mother to Martha’s Vineyard. But everything changes when her mom drops a bombshell–Brielle is really a princess in the island kingdom of Ọlọrọ Ilé, off the coast of Africa, and she must immediately assume her royal position, since the health of her grandfather, the king, is failing.

Distraught by all the secrets her mother kept, Brielle is further left spinning when the Ọlọrọ Ilé Royal Council brings up an old edict that states she must marry before her coronation, or the crown will pass to another. Brielle is uncertain if she even wants the throne, and with her world totally shaken, where will she find the courage to take a chance on love and brave the perils a wrong decision may bring?

My Review

In Search of a Prince transports readers to the African island nation of Ọlọrọ Ilé and into a modern-day fairy tale. Toni Shiloh has created a world full of rich culture and a beautiful setting, where Brielle is thrust into both her royal role and a marriage of convenience. I loved how Brielle’s authentic, heartfelt faith was her foundation as her life was upended and she faced several difficult decisions. Her best friend, Iris, brought richness and depth to the story with the wisdom she spoke into Brielle’s life. I’m hoping there might be another book coming so we can read her story!

I hadn’t read any of Toni Shiloh’s books before, but now I’m definitely a fan! This sweet romance with hints of The Princess Diaries and The Bachelorette is a delightful addition to the Christian fiction world. Fans of Rachel Hauck’s Royal Wedding series, as well as fans of contemporary romance authors like Becky Wade and Melissa Tagg, will enjoy this story.

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 Reading is My Superpower 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! We’re getting ready for a big snowstorm to hit here in Maine tomorrow – sounds like a good day to stay in and read! Today, I’m linking up with Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday and featuring Life Flight by Lynette Eason.

“Today was not going to be the day they died – not if she had anything to say about it.”

Life Flight by Lynette Eason

The Basics

Title: Life Flight

Author: Lynette Eason

Publication Date: January 4, 2022

Series: Extreme Measures (Book 1)

Genre: Suspense

My Rating: 4 Stars

My Review

Lynette Eason has done it again! She is one of my favorite suspense authors, and I can already tell I’m going to love this new series! Penny is an engaging heroine, bold enough to fly her chopper into a storm and fight to defend herself, as well as caring and compassionate toward her friends, family, and patients. Her unique friendship with Julianna and Grace adds depth to the story – I can’t wait to read more about them in the rest of the series. Penny and Holt’s relationship develops authentically and doesn’t overshadow the suspense. I saw their point of conflict toward the end of the book coming from a mile away, but it makes sense and works well in the story.

Life Flight is full of action, twists, and turns, as Penny and Holt race to find the killer before he finds them. I highly recommend this book for fans of the suspense genre, especially authors like Susan May Warren, Natalie Walters, and Lynn H. Blackburn!

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 Reading is My Superpower 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. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, Revell!

Happy Friday! I’m joining the First Line Friday linkup hosted by Reading is My Superpower, where participants share the first line of the closest book. Today I’m sharing from a new release by one of my favorite authors, Erin Bartels. Her fourth book, The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water, is a evocative novel about the power of memory and the roles we play in each other’s stories.

“The summer you chopped off all your hair, I asked your dad what the point of being a novelist was. He said it was to tell the truth.

Ridiculous.”

The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water by Erin Bartels

The Basics

Title: The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water

Author: Erin Bartels

Publication Date: January 4, 2022

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction

My Rating: 4 Stars

From the Back Cover:

The best fiction simply tells the truth.
But the truth is never simple.

When novelist Kendra Brennan moves into her grandfather’s old cabin on Hidden Lake, she has a problem and a plan. The problem? An inflammatory letter from A Very Disappointed Reader. The plan? To confront Tyler, her childhood best friend’s brother–and the man who inspired the antagonist in her first book. If she can prove that she told the truth about what happened during those long-ago summers, perhaps she can put the letter’s claims to rest and meet the swiftly approaching deadline for her next book.

But what she discovers as she delves into the murky past is not what she expected. While facing Tyler isn’t easy, facing the consequences of her failed friendship with his sister, Cami, may be the hardest thing she’s ever had to do.

Plumb the depths of the human heart with this emotional exploration of how a friendship dies, how we can face the unforgivable, and how even those who have been hurt can learn to love with abandon.

My Review

I have loved Erin Bartels’ books since her debut, We Hope for Better Things. She is a must-read author for me, but this book was a little different from what I was expecting. I know that she does not shy away from tough topics, but this book had some dark and heavy moments. At one point in the middle I wasn’t sure if I wanted to finish it, but I’m glad I did! It definitely was redeemed by the end.

One of my favorite parts of the book is the author’s writing style. Her descriptions of lake life in Michigan make me feel like I am right there with Kendra and Cami on a hot summer day, and her beautiful prose lets us into the hearts and minds of her characters. Kendra’s story of confronting her past and discovering the truth through her writing is one that will stick with readers long after the last page. There is a bit of romance in the story as well, and while it isn’t the main focus, it does provide a lightness and sweetness to an otherwise heavy book. The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water is a powerful story of overcoming abuse and tragedy, hope, healing, and forgiveness that fans of the author will enjoy.

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 Reading is My Superpower 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. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Happy Friday! I’m linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday and sharing the first line of the closest book. Today I’m sharing from The Winter Rose by Melanie Dobson.

Saint-Lizier, France
September 1943

“Sunlight broke through the mist like a spotlight in Hollywood, the crimson globe guiding Grace Tonquin and the twelve children in her care.”

The Winter Rose by Melanie Dobson

The Basics

Title: The Winter Rose

Author: Melanie Dobson

Publication Date: January 11, 2022

Genre: Christian Historical Fiction

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

In this gripping split-time novel, Grace Tonquin is an American Quaker woman who works tirelessly in Vichy France to rescue Jewish children from the Nazis. After crossing the treacherous Pyrénées, Grace returns home to Oregon with a brother and sister whose parents were lost during the war. Though Grace and her husband love Élias and Marguerite as their own, echoes of Grace’s past and trauma from the Holocaust tear the Tonquin family apart.

More than fifty years after they disappear, Addie Hoult arrives at Tonquin Lake, hoping to find the Tonquin family. For Addie, the mystery is a matter of life and death for her beloved mentor Charlie, who is battling a genetic disease. Though Charlie refuses to discuss his ties to the elusive Tonquins, finding them is the only way to save his life and mend the wounds from his broken past.

My Review

The Winter Rose is a powerful story of hope and healing in the midst of tragedy. The dual timelines connect a daring escape during World War II with the present day. Grace, a young Quaker woman, is dedicated to rescuing Jewish children from occupied France during the war. Her journey with the children kept me on the edge of my seat, hoping they would escape the Nazi’s grip. But that wasn’t the end of the danger for Elias and Marguerite, who came home to America with Grace. The trauma they faced during the war followed them and led to a betrayal that affected their family for generations to come.

In the present day, Addie, a young widow, is searching for healing for the man who rescued her. She thought that her search for the truth was for the benefit of her mentor, Charlie, but it turned out she needed the healing it brought as well. The two storylines were perfectly woven together in a beautiful, satisfying conclusion. With characters that steal your heart, vivid descriptions that transport you into the story, and powerful themes of redemption and forgiveness, this is a story that will stay with you long after the final page. I highly recommend this book for fans of historical fiction and authors like Sarah Sundin and Heidi Chiavaroli!

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 Reading is My Superpower 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’m linking up with Carrie at Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday, where participants share the first line of the closest book. Today I’m featuring Colleen Coble’s newest release, A Stranger’s Game.

“Victoria Bergstrom almost forgot to breathe at the beauty of Georgia’s Jekyll Island.”

A Stranger’s Game by Colleen Coble

The Basics

Title: A Stranger’s Game

Author: Colleen Coble

Publication Date: January 4, 2022

Genre: Romantic Suspense

My Rating: 3 Stars

From the Back Cover:

A wealthy hotel heiress.

Even though Torie Bergstrom hasn’t been back to Georgia since she was ten, she’s happy to arrange a job for her best friend at one of the family properties on Jekyll Island.

A suspicious death.

But when Torie learns that her best friend has drowned, she knows it is more than a tragic accident: Lisbeth was terrified of water and wouldn’t have gone swimming by choice.

A fight for the truth.

Torie goes to the hotel under an alias, desperate to find answers. When she meets Joe Abbott and his daughter rescuing baby turtles, she finds a tentative ally.

The more Torie and Joe dig, the more elusive the truth seems. One thing is clear: someone will risk anything—even more murder—to keep their secrets buried.

My Review

I have been a fan of this author for years, but this book fell a little flat for me. The main characters, Torie and Joe, were likeable, and Joe’s daughter Hailey was adorable. Joe’s job training sea mammals for the Navy added a unique and interesting element to the story. However, the suspense didn’t draw me in as much as the author’s novels usually do. The ending felt rushed, and I finished the book without really understanding the perpetrator’s motives for committing the crimes. It wasn’t as satisfying as a conclusion as I would have liked. Still, that may just be my preference, and if you are a fan of this author and/or genre, I would recommend giving this book a try!

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 Reading is My Superpower 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, and Happy New Year! I can’t believe tomorrow will be 2022. Today I am linking up with Reading is My Superpower for First Line Friday and sharing the first line of the book closest to me. That just happens to my one of my most anticipated new books of 2022, releasing next Tuesday – Sunrise by Susan May Warren!

“By the time Dodge got to the hospital, he’d already broken his first promise.”

Sunrise by Susan May Warren

The Basics

Title: Sunrise

Author: Susan May Warren

Series: Sky King Ranch (Book 1)

Publication Date: January 4, 2022

Genre: Contemporary Romantic Adventure/Suspense

My Rating: 5 Stars

From the Back Cover:

After a terrible family fight, pilot Dodge Kingston left home to join the Air Force. A decade later, he’s headed back to the destiny that awaits him as heir to Sky King Ranch. But that’s not all that’s waiting for him at home.

Echo Yazzie is a true Alaskan woman–a homesteader, dogsledder, and research guide for the DNR. After her childhood best friend and former flame, Dodge, fled Denali, she settled into life on the Alaskan range. She’s made her peace with being left behind–by her mother and by Dodge. And she’s strong enough to live without them.

When one of Echo’s fellow researchers goes missing, Echo sets out to find her, despite a blizzard, a rogue grizzly haunting the woods, and the biting cold. What she doesn’t know is that there are more than just the regular dangers of the Alaskan forests stalking her . . .

As Dodge sets out to find Echo, he can’t ignore the feelings he still has for her. But will he be able to find her in time? And if he does, is there still room for him in her heart?

My Review

Every time I think Susan May Warren can’t get any better, she does! This captivating story transported me to the Alaskan bush, in the cockpit with Dodge and on the dogsled with Echo. The incredible attention to detail brings the small town and the wilderness to life. Dodge and Echo are unique and fascinating characters, bold and brave yet wounded and vulnerable. The story is full of tension, adventure, action, and a little mystery. This truly is a love story, not just between Dodge and Echo, but also love of family, home, and the wild, rugged beauty of Alaska. This book will delight fans of romance and adventure!

I can’t wait to get to know the other Kingston brothers in the rest of the series! The next book, Sunburst, will be out in June 2022. It can’t come soon enough!

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 Reading is My Superpower to see what first lines other bloggers are sharing, or to share your own!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher as part of the launch team. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.