Land of My Sojourn

About the Book:

“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a reader in possession of a good humor, must be in want of a Pepper Basham book–and Pride and Practicality is one of her best.” –Karen Witemeyer, Christy Award winning author

In a world ruled by reputation, compassion may be the most scandalous act of all.

Arianna Reeves knows how quickly admiration can turn into exile. One poorly placed trust, one disastrously charming rake, and she is no longer society’s darling–but its favorite cautionary tale.

Now returned home–uninvited and unmistakably whispered about–Arianna is determined to make amends with her estranged family and do something useful with her thoroughly ruined life. Even if polite society would prefer she did it at a very great distance from anyone respectable.

Thomas Bridges, a principled clergyman with an inconvenient habit of thinking for himself, is already walking a narrow line. His congregation expects propriety, his mother expects matrimony, and both have very firm opinions about his future. Thomas, however, would prefer a life guided by conviction . . . even when it proves impractical.

When Arianna repeatedly–and quite disruptively–crosses his path, Thomas faces a dilemma no sermon prepared him for. She is not at all what she ought to be: not dull, not foolish, and–most dangerously–not someone he can overlook, but a kindred spirit who shares his passion for service and his troubling habit of defying society’s expectations . . . all with good intentions, of course.

As their forbidden acquaintance deepens into something far more perilous than friendship, Arianna and Thomas must decide: preserve their reputations, or risk them entirely for the good of others—–and their own hearts.

Because in a society that measures worth by perfection, choosing grace, mercy, and love may cost them everything–and give them more than they ever hoped to find.

In Pride and Practicality, Pepper Basham delivers a Regency romcom brimming with lively banter, heartfelt charm, and just enough mischief to keep propriety on its toes. With a kisses-only romance that sparkles with chemistry and a story rich in faith, humor, and second chances, this delightful tale invites readers to laugh, sigh, and fall in love with a romance that is as meaningful as it is joyful.

My Thoughts:

I adored Pride and Practicality. Pepper Basham is a delightfully engaging author and she has a way of setting her characters in stories that you can relate to, despite being from an entirely different era. I’m sure every reader has been judged and found wanting at some point, over some issue. Arianna finds herself in that unenviable situation, but she has learned and grown and has such a beautiful soul. Thomas is equally appealing as a character with strong convictions and a compassionate heart.

The journey of living for conviction and refusing to settle for something less is fraught, but it makes for a delightful tale. I laughed out loud at times, while deeply connecting with the narrative. I highly recommend this novel. It was a fabulous read.

Pride and Practicality follows after Sense and Suitability (Amazon: https://amzn.to/4hiFb1a) While I suppose it could be read as a stand alone I think you would enjoy it a lot more if you start at the beginning. And since Pride and Practicality doesn’t release until Nov. 3rd you have time.

I received a free digital copy of this novel in advance of publication. My opinions are entirely my own.

About the Book:

In occupied France, a woman becomes a spy for the Resistance and rises to lead the largest intelligence operation in the country in this propulsive new World War II historical novel by bestselling author Roseanna M. White.

Marseille, France, 1941. Zelie Bellerose never fit the mold of an army officer’s wife. She was too passionate in her convictions, too indifferent to societal expectations. After her husband is killed in the war, Zelie focuses on securing a brighter future for her children, hoping to help free her country from the Nazi regime by joining the Resistance. She is soon one of the most trusted operatives in Alliance, and when their leader is imprisoned, she takes command, hiding her identity from all but a few. With enemies closing in, Zelie must earn the trust of her network and prove herself to those who doubt a woman’s place at the helm of France’s largest spy ring.

Marcel Laurent was a renowned concert pianist before joining the French army and being sent to a POW camp. Freed in a prisoner exchange by a wealthy businessman with ties to the Resistance, Marcel agrees to spy for Alliance by conducting a youth orchestra, gathering intelligence from patrons who are loose-lipped Nazi sympathizers. Marcel’s weekly radio broadcasts introducing the orchestra’s performances give him the perfect cover to send coded messages over the airwaves.

As Zelie and Marcel grow closer through their shared love of music, she begins to rely on him. But betrayal from within Alliance puts everything they’ve fought for at risk. When a double agent infiltrates their ranks and the two are captured, their bond faces its greatest test . . . and any misstep could jeopardize not only Alliance but the very outcome of the war.

My Thoughts:

I really enjoy Roseanna M White’s books. She writes characters with depth who grow throughout the story. World War II stories aren’t my favorite setting, but this story captivated me. To look back at the beginning of a movement, to consider the cost, the failures and the triumphs, while considering the characters themselves and their desires created an engaging and emotional tale of courage and conviction. I really liked this book and recommend it to you.

I received a free digital pre-release of this novel. I’m giving you my honest opinion of the book.

About the Book:

“[This book] is a treasure. The first time I read it, I remember closing the final page and thinking to myself, I wish I could make every single Christian on earth read this book. … John Chrysostom, Evagrius the Solitary, Julian of Norwich, Martin Luther, Dorothy Day, Dietrich Bonhoeffer?these saints and sages live on in me. And they can live on in you, too. They can enlarge and enrich your faith, one page at a time.” ? John Mark Comer, from the afterword

Ancient Faith for Modern Souls

In AD 165, two men named Carpus and Papylus stood before the proconsul of Pergamum, charged with the crime of being Christians. Not even torture could make them deny Christ, so they were burned alive.

Is my faithfulness as strong?

In the fifth century, Melania the Younger and her husband, Pinian, distributed their enormous wealth to the poor and intentionally practiced the discipline of renunciation.

Could living more simply deepen my trust in God?

In the seventeenth century, Philipp Jakob Spener’s love for the Word of God and his desire to help people apply the Bible to their daily life moved him to start “Colleges of Piety,” or small groups.

In what ways could commitment to community make me more like Christ?

The history of Christianity has produced models of spiritual life, some very different from our own, that can enrich and enlarge our spiritual lives. These saints believed in the same God, followed the same Christ, read the same Bible, and walked in the same Spirit. And they lived wholeheartedly for God, like Perpetua, an early Christian martyr; Francis of Assisi, a medieval visionary; Philipp Jakob Spener, the founder of fifteenth-century small groups; and Dorothy Day, a servant of the poor.

In Water from a Deep Well, Gerald Sittser opens to us the rich history of spirituality, helping us learn from the practices and storiesof believers from the past who thirsted for God. These vibrant narratives reveal deep, powerful faith and demonstrate how old ways can bring new life to our spirituality today. These histories are deep waters from which we can drink to become faithful followers of Jesus, like those who came before us.

In this revised edition, you’ll find

• history, insights, and practical exercises for incorporating spiritual practices into your life;
• a new chapter and updates throughout the book; and
• a new afterword from John Mark Comer.

Discover the richness of ancient faith practices and renew your spiritual life with Water from a Deep Well. Whether you’re discovering spiritual practices for the first time or seeking to deepen your journey with Christ, this book provides timeless guidance for spiritual growth, drawn from the wisdom of those who have walked the path before you.

My Thoughts:

This isn’t a flashy book. It’s not something that you skim. It’s one that I would pick up, read a chapter and then might not come back to for awhile. It’s a thoughtful book. I especially appreciate the balance the author brings. When he talks about people who lived in extremes he pulls forward what can be embraced and what might not be the best choices (and why).

The author takes a long look of faith through the centuries and encourages us to do the same. There is also a lot of good and thoughtful application to our lives. I think this book is absolutely worth reading, especially for those who haven’t deeply studied the history of Christianity and the lives of the saints previously.

I received a free digital copy of this book for review. I’m providing my honest opinion.

About the Book:

Escape to Avila Falls in this Cozy Second-Chance Romance

Jane is a successful ghostwriter living her dream in New York City, collaborating with movie stars and musicians while quietly longing to publish her own novel.

But just as her career comes to a crossroads, she’s called back to her hometown of Avila Falls, a charming mountain town with a colorful cast of characters, where a chance encounter with her high school crush stirs unexpected questions about her NYC life. These doubts deepen as Jane tries to find her place back in Avila Falls; begins a new project with Liv, a pop star grappling with her own identity; and reconnects with a friend and mentor who runs the local bookstore, And Then There Were Books.

Jane begins to see her hometown differently and sparks begin to fly. She questions whether the version of herself she’s created is truly who she wants to be. Could the answers she’s searching for lie in the very place she once ran from?

My Thoughts:

I don’t often choose modern day settings for novels, but this book captured my attention. I’m always drawn to second chance stories. It was a good book, not too fluffy, not too intense. It was thoughtful with the main character asking herself some significant questions and engaging with the uncomfortable process of evaluating her life. I think we all can use a reminder that we can change directions if we find ourselves on a path that isn’t leading us where we want to go. And a bit of a romance and a small town book store thrown into the mix just makes it more delightful.

I received a free digital pre-release of this title to read. I’m providing you with my honest opinion.

About the Books:

The Island Bookshop

When Kennedy Marshall sets off for a prestigious career in the city, she leaves behind the sunlit shores of North Carolina’s Outer Banks—and runs from a love she believes she can never have. With her sister, Lara, managing their grandmother’s beloved island bookshop, Kennedy feels confident she’s escaped the past. But when Lara is suddenly injured, Kennedy is drawn back into the island’s warm embrace—and bittersweet memories she thought she’d buried forever. 

For Wes Armstrong, the Outer Banks is more than home—it’s his anchor. Building a successful family business was supposed to bring stability, but life has been anything but steady since his wife’s passing. Haunted by past regrets and facing a life-changing decision, Wes is determined to make the right choice for his family’s future. Yet Kennedy’s unexpected return stirs up old emotions and mistakes he thought he’d put to rest. 

As hidden family secrets surface and long-buried truths come to light, Kennedy and Wes must navigate the delicate tides of forgiveness, second chances, and the unspoken love that still lingers between them. Can they find the courage to rewrite their story and create a new future on the island’s shifting sands?

The Island Bakeshop

Come back to the sun-drenched shores of the Outer Banks and immerse yourself in another exciting and inspiring tale from Roseanna M. White. This dual-timeline, clean romance will have you reading late into the night to find out what happens next.

In this uplifting story of hope and renewal, you’ll meet Harper Dailey, who returns to Avon, North Carolina, so she can help run the family business, Sunshine Bakery, after her father’s heart attack. Suddenly, her thriving career at an upscale Savannah bakery is behind her, as is her rocky relationship with her ex-boyfriend—that is, until he shows up in Avon, letting her know he now owns the building the shop is in, and he may not renew the lease.

For Beckett Mills, Avon is a quiet refuge after his eight years of active service in the Navy. He works as hard at keeping folks at arm’s length as he does at running his fishing charter business. His plan for distancing himself from others works well until the fateful day he enters the bakery and sees a beautiful Harper being harassed by her ex-boyfriend. Suddenly, he casts his fears aside and steps in to save the day.

Harper and Beckett have no intentions of beginning a romance, but when the pasts they are running from collide, they know it’s not just a coincidence that they have ended up here at the same time. God has placed them together for a reason. Can Beckett let go of the worries that haunt him and welcome Harper into his life? Will Harper realize she can face any challenge with God—and just maybe Beckett—by her side? Don’t miss this faith-filled story of hope, courage, and the grace to begin anew.

My Thoughts:

The Island Bookshop was a novel of second chances. I enjoyed the characters and their discoveries about the past and the present. It was an easy read, with a hopeful reminder that even when the happily ever after that we were pursuing falls apart, there is still a life worth living up ahead if we have courage enough to face our fears.

The Island Bakeshop was a return to the community that we were introduced to in The Island Bookshop. It could be read as a stand alone, but I think it’s more enjoyable having read the first in the series. I really liked the characters and the “fake dating trope.” There were some hard themes here, including abuse and narcissism, but the message that came through was a beautiful contrast of real love that serves and blesses others.

Both books were centered in community and enjoyable, easy reading. I’d recommend them.

I received free digital copies of these books and I’m giving you my honest opinion.

About the Book:

He promised to help her reclaim the memories she lost—no matter what they found.

Until she remembered another man.

Cornwall, 1913

For three years, Merryn has lived without a past—no family, no history, no home that’s truly hers.

When the threat of being locked away for her own “protection” looms, she takes a desperate chance on AJ Winthrop—a warmhearted, whimsical stranger who offers a hasty marriage of convenience and a promise: he will take her back to Cornwall and help her uncover the truth about who she once was.

But along the wild Cornish coast, the memories that begin to surface are not the ones she expects.

Another man.

Another wedding.

A life that may already be hers.

When a hidden painting reveals Merryn’s own face staring back from another life, the fragile life she’s begun to build with AJ begins to unravel. Because the truth waiting in her past could destroy the love she’s only just found.

Cornwall, 1947

Haunted by the war and estranged from the wife he still loves, William Crawford is determined to save their family home for her—even if it means selling the mysterious portrait of Merryn Dunn tucked away in his cottage. But the secrets hidden within the painting threaten to overturn everything he believes…or lead him toward a redemption he never expected.

My Thoughts:

Politano is an excellent writer. I always look forward to reading her books and The Life She Forgot was no exception. Along with a writing style that is engaging the narrative kept me guessing. I appreciate a book that can surprise me.

Merryn’s story tugs at your heartstrings. To have forgotten who you are and where you belong is a nightmare. To wonder if you can start over, to wonder if your new commitments are going to one day fall apart when you realize that came before…I can’t even image walking in her shoes. And yet, that is where the author takes me. Deep into the “what ifs” I find a story of abiding love and faithfulness and the past touching the present, bringing hope to the spaces where it has been lost.

This was an excellent book and I highly recommend it. I received a free digital copy of this book for review and I am giving you my honest opinion.

About the Book:

Can opposites attract when a tea shop princess meets her pub-owning rival? 

In the charming mountain town of Wisteria, North Carolina, Daphne Austen clings to tradition like cream to a scone. She’s built her life–and her late grandmother’s tearoom, Tea Thyme–around all things English: delicate china, Jane Austen novels, and the comforting predictability of routine. The only thing threatening her perfectly ordered world? The loud, aggravatingly handsome Brit opening a pub next door.

After his ex-wife broke his heart and his business partner nearly destroyed his career, Finn Dashwood packed up his six-year-old daughter and left England behind. He’s looking for a fresh start, and the last thing he needs is a fussy, tea-obsessed neighbor criticizing his every pint and playlist. It doesn’t matter that she’s ridiculously kind (to everyone else) and that his daughter is utterly fascinated by her. Finn’s heart is not open to being broken again.

But disagreements turn into prank wars and then a competition when a high-profile wedding needs a last-minute caterer. The townsfolk are thrilled–Wisteria hasn’t seen this much excitement since the county fair lost a goat.

When the wedding demands both sweet and savory fare, Daphne and Finn are forced to put down their swords and pick up their serving trays. Between burnt pastries, brewing tempers, trending hashtags (#SipsAndSpats, anyone?), and one very adorable little girl, rivalry soon gives way to reluctant friendship–and maybe something that feels suspiciously like chemistry.

Can a tea shop princess and a pub owner with a past mix their lives as seamlessly as clotted cream and jam . . . or will their differences keep them steeped in rivalry forever?

Fall headfirst into a romance that’s as sweet as scones and as lively as a pub singalong. Early readers are raving about the laugh-out-loud humor, irresistible chemistry, and swoony, kisses-only romance that makes A Brewed Awakening impossible to put down. Grab your copy today and discover a charming story brewed with heart, humor, and small-town magic.

My Thoughts:

Small town charm, likeable personalities, baked goods and your beverage of choice, A Brewed Awakening is a fun and flirty easy to read romance. The community of characters were probably my favorite part of the book, and when tragedy comes calling it’s the genuine care and deeper realities of what matters most that rise to the surface. I’d say the book’s target audience is readers in their mid-twenties to thirties, but it can be enjoyed by anyone who wants a opposites attract love story.

I received a free digital copy of this book. I am providing you with my honest opinion.

About the Book:

Josh Donnelly has a steady life of good habits, small carvings, and the rhythm of Church Street, until a wrapped bundle appears on his doorstep on the coldest night of the year. The baby—quiet, insistent, and utterly unexpected—pulls Josh out of his carefully ordered world and straight into the messy business of parenting. When authorities question how the child arrived, secrets from Peculiar’s past surface: a long-buried death, a scarred family history, and whispers that force Josh and the woman who brought the baby to town into the spotlight.

As gossip swirls and legal hands close in, Josh must learn to be braver than he ever thought possible—tending grit as much as grace, trusting a bit more than he fears, and loving in spite of uncertainty. With a mastiff named Hoss at his heels and Heather Thomas by his side, he discovers that home is not a place you inherit; it’s a life you build, one small miracle at a time. 

My Thoughts:

I’ve read a couple of books by Angela Hunt and the cover of this one captured my imagination. The story was real, both in its trouble and in its triumph. I appreciated the character development, getting to really know both Josh and Heather. It was a story that I looked forward to picking up again each time I had to set the book down. With several unexpected twists and turns along the way A Most Peculiar Providence is a story about forgiveness, hope and learning how to live fully and freely.

I received a free digital copy of this book and have given my honest opinion.