Beyond Molasses Creek by Nicole Seitz

Three lives are bound by a single book . . . and the cleansing waters of Molasses Creek.

Having traveled to the ends of the earth as a flight attendant, Ally Green has finally returned to the Lowcountry to bury her father as well as the past. But Vesey Washington is still living across the creek, and theirs is a complicated relationship—he was once her best friend . . . and also part of the reason she’s stayed away so long. When Ally discovers a message her father left behind asking her to quit running, it seems her past isn’t through with her yet.

As Ally’s wandering spirit wrestles with a deep longing to flee again, a young woman on the other side of the world escapes her life of slavery in the rock quarries of Nepal. A mysterious sketchbook leads Sunila Kunari to believe there’s more to her story than she’s ever been told, and she’s determined to follow the truth wherever it leads her.

A deep current intertwines the lives of these three souls, and a destiny of freedom, faith, and friendship awaits them all on the banks of Molasses Creek.

My Review

I have mixed reviews about this book. I really did want to love it, but I had the hardest time getting through it! The characters of Molasses Creek were lovely, vibrant and entertaining. And while I thought they were a memorable bunch, they didn't finish the novel as such. Perhaps that was the biggest problem for me, the ending. It didn't make sense and frankly was out of character for many of those involved. But at least I finished it, which didn't seem likely in the beginning. Overall I though Seitz's writing style was nice, but not enthralling. It was simply lacking in a way I cannot explain. A solid three stars for me.

Sweet Sanctuary by Shelia Walsh

Back of the Book


Wren has tried to shelter her only son from the tumult of the world. Now she's about to find sanctuary . . . in the last place she ever expected.


In tiny Cottage Cover, on the coast of Maine, Wren Evans is raising her gifted son, Charlie. A single mom, she's fought hard to give Charlie a stable, secure home life. When a prestigious music academy in Boston expresses interest in Charlie's talent, Wren is willing to move them again to make his dreams come true.

But Wren doesn't know that Charlie has been praying for her. And the answer to her son's prayers will change both of their lives. As Wren plans their move to Boston, life in Maine begins to fall apart. Her job is threatened with budget cuts, and Wren's grandmother, Ruth, arrives unannounced, with an outlandish request.

Ruth wants the family gathered together one last time, at the summer home where, years before, an accident shattered Wren's peaceful childhood. In the tumult, Wren finds a friend in a handsome, kind-hearted local, Paul Callahan.

When the family gathers in Cottage Cover, old wounds will be healed, new love will blossom, and the innocent prayers of a child will be answered in a most unexpected way.


My Review


This novel was a step away from my typical genre of historical fiction. While I often read faith inspired fictions, I rarely read those set in contemporary times. For once I'm glad I stepped away from my norm.


I found the author to be a wonderful, descriptive writer who's characters easily captured my heart. Oftentimes I find characters fall flat, especially in Christian novels, and are one sided. Either they are inherently, unwaveringly good or they are the epitome of evil. Ms. Walsh's characters, especially the one of Wren Evans came to life, flaws and all. 


The story itself was a bit predictable, unfortunately, and therefore I did not give it a full 5 stars. Also, I found the big reveal to be a let down, the suspense aspect of the plot was not my favorite and it did not wrap up in as 'big' of a way as I would have liked, but all in all was a worthy read. I would recommend this novel to a friend, but more likely insist they borrow my copy rather than run out and buy one for themselves.


I was graciously given a copy of this book for free from BookSneeze® for this review, but was in no way compelled to write a positive review.

Here Burns My Candle by Liz Curtis Higgs

What I love about Here Burns My Candle by Liz Curtis Higgs is the incorporation of the biblical stories of Ruth and Naomi in a historical Scottish setting. While you can't say it's a modern interpretation, it's definitely a fresh spin on the story.


The novel centers around the Lowlander family and takes place in the year 1745. Ms Curtis Higgs writes a rich, descriptive novel that deeply inserts the reader into the setting. I did have to use the glossary at the back of the novel, a lovely addition, when Scottish dialect was used to supplement the story.


I have to admit that this novel was a bit slow at times, especially in the beginning, which is why I'm only giving it 4 stars. I'm an avid reader, but the starting pace along didn't help this large novel (450+ pages) move along as quickly as I would have liked. Even so, I think its a captivating novel and I would recommend it (and the sequel) to anyone seeking a strong, Christian fiction.


I was graciously given a copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review, but was in no way compelled to write a positive review.

Beyond All Measure by Dorothy Love

Back of the Book


Unless she can trust God's love to cast out her fears, Ada may lose the heart of a good man.   

Ada Wentworth, a young Bostonian, journeys to Hickory Ridge, Tennessee, in the years following the Civil War. Alone and nearly penniless following a broken engagement, Ada accepts a position as a lady's companion to the elderly Lillian Willis, a pillar of the community and aunt to the local lumber mill owner, Wyatt Caldwell. Ada intends to use her millinery skills to establish a hat shop and secure her future.

Haunted by unanswered questions from her life in Boston, Ada is most drawn to two townsfolks: Wyatt, a Texan with big plans of his own, and Sophie, a mulatto girl who resides at the Hickory Ridge orphanage. Ada's friendship with Sophia attracts the attention of a group of locals seeking to displace the residents of Two Creeks, a "colored" settlement on the edge of town. As tensions rise, Ada is threatened but refuses to abandon her plan to help the girl.

When Lillian dies, Ada is left without employment or a place to call home. And since Wyatt's primary purpose for staying in Hickory Ridge was to watch over his aunt, he can now pursue his dream of owning Longhorns in his home state of Texas.

With their feelings for each other growing, Ada must decide whether she can trust God with her future and Wyatt with her heart.




My Review

I’m not entirely sure how I felt about this book. Was the story enjoyable? Yes, but within means. Ada, our heroine, wasn’t an entirely likeable character in the beginning, but her personal growth added to the story. Wyatt on the other hand, was a charming southern gentleman from the beginning. But there was the problem, he was annoyingly so. It was unrealistic to think that he could be so good natured and unwaveringly kind, even in times that the pair clash. And can I just say, what man calls a woman he loves my dear friend? That term of endearment slipped under my skin from its first emergence and every time is reappear, more often than I would ever wish it to, it just annoyed me more. Dorothy Love is a wonderful writer, but really Ms. Love, that is not romance. I want to rate this higher because I think it was beautifully written and the flow kept my attention despite the issues I had with the actual plotline, but it was nothing special. It fits the same formula of so many other novels, destitute woman with a dream who falls for a man that is different from everything she’s wanted, but has everything she needs. And in the end, they work past their differences and make it work. 

I was graciously given a copy of this book for free from BookSneeze® for this review, but was in no way compelled to write a positive review.

The Dragons of Chiril by Donita K. Paul

With her father having been missing for 15 years, Tipper has been keeping her family going by selling off the art he left behind. His sudden reappearance is less than joyful however, and soon a journey to find 3 statues she sold of years prior ensues. Tipper, her father, and a group of unlikely characters band together in search of the statues, realizing without them the world will fall apart.

I’m not sure how I feel about this book. It’s definitely one that is hard to describe without revealing too much detail or plot. I found it to be well written in the sense of flow and word choice, and the characters were likeable enough. Donita Paul has a talent for developing a well rounded cast of characters as well as a interesting plotline. I suppose it just wasn’t my type of story. I found it to be rushed at points, as if Paul was trying to hurry through the details to get on with the plot and whenever authors do that I often find myself confused. Sure, they understand entirely what’s going on, its their story, but the reader needs those added details to keep up. Maybe it was just me, but the last hundred pages or so seemed out of nowhere. Where was the build up? The little clues throughout the story that all tied up at the end?

To me, this novel was a ho hum kind of story. It wasn’t  a horrible novel, but I won’t go out and get the next book to continue the series.

I was graciously given a copy of this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review, but was in no way compelled to write a positive review.

The Inconvenient Marriage of Charlotte Beck by Kathleen Y'Barbo

Back of the Book

Unlikely romance is sometimes just an inconvenient marriage away.

Charlotte Beck may be entering adulthood, but she can’t seem to keep to her stubborn, independent spirit from bucking social protocol. Fed up with her behavior, Charlotte’s father Daniel pressures her to settle into a nice marriage despite knowing she is set on going to college. Then Daniel sees Charlotte with the handsome but annoying English astronomer Alex Hambly, and everything changes.

Though Alex and Charlotte can barely stand one another, Daniel offers them a deal they can’t refuse: if they agree to marry, he will save Alex’s family from financial ruin and grant Charlotte the freedom to go to college. Reluctantly the couple agrees, but in private they plot to annul the marriage as soon as possible.

But when Alex’s feelings change and he refuses to dissolve their contract, will Charlotte find a way out of her vows? Or will she discover that maybe this marriage isn’t so inconvenient after all?

My Review

This book took me just about a day to get through. I have quite a bit of downtime at work, and we’re allowed to read when there aren’t customers lingering about. The majority of it was finished in a 5 hours shift, and the rest I greedily finished up at home. Is it a thought provoking novel? By no means. But if you’re looking for an easy, fun read than Kathleen Y’Barbo has your book. I’ve heard good things about the author, though I can’t speak for her other novels, so I jumped at the chance to review this. And I have to say, I wasn’t disappointed.

Charlotte and Alex’s banter is amusing and it kept my attention. Some of the humorous scenarios the pair found themselves in seemed a bit… too perfect for me. I could see them happening before they did, and I could figure out the reactions before I read them. Even so, I wasn’t going into this not expecting that.  If you want a light, fun novel that you can take with on a day to the beach and read while you lay in the sun I would tuck this in your bag. You’ll finish it up just about the same time your skin becomes a lovely golden tan.

I was graciously given a copy of this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review, but was in no way compelled to write a positive review.

Mine Is The Night by Liz Curtis Higgs

An intriguing story that begins with a recently widowed young woman Elizabeth and her mother-in-law who, after the battle at Falkirk have lost everything including those they held dear. Seeking refuge with a cousin named Anne, Elizabeth strikes out to find means of supporting herself and her family. Having a talented hand with a needle she quickly finds a job, but is soon let go.

Eventually, she finds herself under the employ of Lord Jack Buchanan where she sews uniforms for newly hired staff. Romance unfolds threefold and a charming tale of love emerges throughout the novel. I have to admit that I love Liz Curtis Higgs from her previous novel Here Burns My Candle, so I may have come into this novel a bit biased. Nevertheless I was enchanted by the retelling of the book of Ruth from the Bible. For those unfamiliar with the story, the book of Ruth tells of how God aids a faithful young woman and ultimately rewards her. I do not mean that as a spoiler, as the novel is loosely based up the book, but the plot is a tad predictable. That does not detract from the enjoyment of the story, I assure you.

Ultimately, this novel is a lovely story of faith and love that leaves nothing lacking. Or, perhaps it does depending on how one wishes for a story to end. Higgs ties up the story in a neat bow with an ending most will find pleasing. However, if you're not one for perfectly wrapped up storylines then you might find it disappointed. I'd still give it a go though, overall it's enjoyable and a wonderful historical fiction. 

I was graciously given a copy of this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review, but was in no way compelled to write a positive review.