Happy Friday, readers! Who needs some spring reads? Here are my reading favorites from January through March with five to choose from! Did any of these make your list?
~ Kelsey
A Tapestry of Light by Kimberly Duffy
Historical Fiction – 1886 India and England
A Tapestry of Light is a beautiful journey of faith, family, and love, weaving two cultures together in a breathtaking performance. I knew little about Indian culture prior to reading this novel, but every word brought 1880’s Calcutta to life. The main character, Ottilie, lives in this world of her mother, but also lives in the English world of her father, while her dual heritage means she truly belongs to neither. A tragic life has left her faith wounded, almost beyond repair. It is only by stepping forward, collecting one small mustard seed of belief at a time, that she is finally able to find a family and a place where she truly belongs.
The Curse of Misty Wayfair by Jaime Jo Wright
Dual Timeline – 1908 and Present Day Wisconsin
If you’re looking for a creepy ghost story that isn’t quite the ghost story you’re expecting, The Curse of Misty Wayfair is for you. This story switches between past and present day in Pleasant Valley, Wisconsin, a town with more tragedies than there are people. Meet a century long family feud, a ghost-imposed curse, an unsolved murder, and strange goings-on at the local abandoned asylum. Jamie Jo has an art of stringing every detail and character together, wrapping you so deep in the story that you don’t want to put it down.
The Mobster’s Daughter by Rachel Scott McDaniel
Historical Fiction – 1920s Pittsburgh
The Mobster’s Daughter weaves a race against time story with romance and faith, drawing the reader through the twists and turns of 1920’s Pittsburgh. Although a relatively quick read, it had me guessing until the end. The romance plays out such that you want them to be together, but completely understand the reasons why they hold themselves back. I enjoyed seeing them grow and could feel their angst within some morally challenging decisions. They had a secret chemistry that really shined. The final suspenseful chapters leave the reader with a nicely packaged ending, but perhaps not with all the strings attached as expected.
Where the Last Rose Blooms
Dual Timeline – 1861 Charleston, SC and Present Day New Orleans, LA
Where the Last Rose Blooms travels between Alice, a flower shop owner in New Orleans whose mother went “missing” during Hurricane Katrina and Clara in 1861, an obedient Southern daughter who uses her upbringing in order to spy for and further the abolitionist cause. I found the incorporation of the language of flowers most interesting, whether used as secret codes for war secrets or to send a special message (or a not so special one) to a romantic pursuit. Also, no spoilers, but part of the book deals with depression, and I thank Ashley Clark for including the issue in a relatable and compassionate way.
Compared by Kortney Keisel
Contemporary Romance
With her signature wit, relatable emotions, and steamy yet clean romance, Compared is a delightful story between Tyler, a widower and his son’s school teacher, Meg, who has recently lost her mother and her father is starting to date again. Meg and Tyler played perfectly together despite the complications standing in their way. Every one felt like a legitimate barrier, rather than the eyerolling drama some romances provide. The way that Tyler and Meg’s grief is expressed felt like friends who understood exactly what I had experienced. You could tell that Kortney Keisel poured herself into this story, and I think this made the emotions of Compared all the richer and relatable.
Kelsey Gietl 