Heart of the Glen

This is an interesting book that fulfills the reader's desire for a compelling story.  Saoirse is basically homeless but finds a friend in Aileen McCready.  For a few days, Aileen hid Saoirse from her brother, Owen.    When he found her, he offered to let her stay until she could find another job.  When Owen is injured in a fight with a man who tries to steal his sheep, Saoirse learned his weaving and works hard to fulfill the orders he has for his tweed.  

This is a seriously rewarding novel to read. The townspeople readily accept Saoirse and she slowly works her way into Owen's good graces.  Jennifer Deibel writes with a true talent for the craft.  I love reading her books and this one just added an extra oomph to my reading.  My only criticism is that the bad guys never get caught or even pursued for the most part of the book. Other than that, it's a really good book.  The romance in the book is not overt or smarmy.  It's a day to day look at the life of someone down on her luck who happens to land on her feet.   

One of my friends told me I just like books with happy endings and my friend is not wrong.  This is the best kind of book to fit that bill.  

Four Strong Stars. 

Revell Publishing provided the copy I read for this review.  All opinions expressed are solely my own.  

The Seaside Homecoming

 

Julie Klassen has hooked me in since I read her book "The Lady of Milkweed Manor."  She thinks her plots through and builds them up to a classical crescendo.  Sometimes when I read a book like this, I know the outcome because the plot is so predictable.  Julie has crafted a plot that keeps the reader engaged and interested throughout.

The Seaside Homecoming is first and foremost a story of redemption and forgiveness.  Claire Summers has been disowned by her family because of an impulsive decision she made two years prior.  For two years she lived with her great-aunt and took care of her until she passed away.  She returns to the town where her mother and sisters are living and takes a position at a different boarding house. 

The characters in this book are varied and for the most part likable.  There are a few hoity-toities who live to make people's lives miserable.  When the villain of the story shows up in the book, Claire has made peace with her situation and is making inroads to a peaceful resolution with her mother.  Finding out that the whole debacle she's in is caused by money and that's all she was deemed good for, she makes her best decision and sends him away.  

There are two love stories that develop throughout the book that are completely satisfying.  This is one of the best books I've read so far this year.  Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and a Boarding House by the Sea.  

Bethany House provided the copy I read for this review.  All opinions expressed are solely my own.