It’s another month our challenge: Unlocking Ecclesiastes 3. I’m so excited to join you again this year with guest reviews from our reading challenge participants. If you want to submit a review for upcoming months, feel free to email me using my contact form. If you are looking for reading suggestions, I’ve cultivated a page just for that. (Note that it is still being updated throughout the year, so feel free to message me with suggestions.) I recommend you also checking Inspirational Historical Fiction Index or the Facebook Group Avid Readers of Christian Fiction or my Facebook group Crystal Caudill’s Reading Friends. I’ll also include a short list at the bottom of this post.
Don’t forget to comment at the bottom of the post for your chance to win a book off my prize shelf. *The list of prizes available from my prize shelf can be found here.*
Unlocking the Past: Ecclesiastes 3
Just as Ecclesiastes has two opposites in each verse, most months will leave you with two options to choose from.
April Verse: A time to tear down and a time to build up.
Challenge Theme: A book with characters or plots related to construction, remodeling, demolition, or architecture.
May Verse: A time to cry and a time to laugh.
Challenge Theme: A RomCom or a book that makes you cry
Engaging Deception
by Regina Jennings
Review by: Crystal Caudill
My MIL and I listened to this delightful tale while driving down to and back from watching the total eclipse. This book has long been on my TBR pile–the whole series really–and it was a joy to finally dive in. Olive was a wonderful character who, while reserved, was also interesting, had a wild/stubborn/brave streak, and was incredibly intelligent. The hero, Maxfield, was a loving dad running from his grief. The way both of these characters came together through architecture–at first as secret rivals–was a journey that was enjoyable, poignant, and had a depth I wasn’t expecting. The story was very well done, and I’m looking forward to reading Regina Jennings other books. I can’t remember if I’ve read her before, but this certainly won’t be my last.
Genre: Historical Romance, late 1890s to early 1900s, American
Plot Overview:
A lively competition draws her into her rival’s blueprints–and maybe even his heart.
Olive Kentworth has spent her life hiding her interest in architecture, even though she pores over architectural books and sketches buildings. When she accepts a job on a home expansion, it’s only because her cousin Amos agrees to pose as the builder. To further hide her involvement, Olive takes a position as a nanny–not knowing that she’ll be working for her idol, Joplin’s leading architect, widower Maxfield Scott.
Maxfield is intrigued by his new nanny–she makes his home and his life bearable again. His work, on the other hand, is a disaster. An untrained builder is remodeling a completed project of his. What’s worse, Maxfield’s current client wants changes to his plans because of that builder’s work.
As the architectural one-upmanship heats up, Olive’s involvement becomes harder to hide. Will the relationship between her and Maxfield survive, or will they both miss out on building something for their future?
Purchase Links:
Amazon | Baker Bookhouse | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook.com
Giveaway
For your chance to win a print copy, comment with what book YOU read for this month. Use the Rafflecopter below for extra entries and to mark that you left a comment. Entries end on the 7th of each month at midnight EST, and the winner will be drawn sometime that week and notified by email. The winner will be announced on the Rafflecopter widget.
*Open to all residents of the contiguous USA, legally able to enter, and an e-book format or Amazon Gift Card will be awarded to those outside that range who are legally able to enter.
Recommendations for May:
- The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh
- The Swindler’s Daughter by Stephania McGee
- Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish by Bethany Turner
- The Hart of Christmas by Latisha Sexton
- Playing the Part, Jen Turano
- Worthy Pursuit, Karen Witemeyer
- Husband Auditions or Hero Debut by Angela Ruth Strong
- Loyally, Luke by Pepper Basham
I read A Model of Devotion by Mary Connealy. It was a really interesting book.
That’s another on my TBR pile.
I read Lane Steen by Candace West. It was an inspiring read.
I’ve heard good things about Candance West
I read The House on Biscayne Bay by Chanel Cleeton. It’s not CF, but is very clean. I loved it and highly recommend!
Oh, I’ve not heard of that. I’ll have to look it up.
I read The Painted Castle by Kristy Cambron. Books with multiple timelines aren’t usually my cup of tea, but I’ve had this book for a while now and decided to give it a go. I’m glad I did!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I’m the same way about multiple timelines.
I read Promise Me Always by Christine Lynxwiler. It was a good book, a nice light read.
I’m still needing light reads, so I’ll have to check that one out.
The Swindler’s Daughter by Stephania McGee- I haven’t finished it yet, but I’ve read a few of her books and they have been great!
That one is still on my TBR. I LOVE Stephenia’s books!
I read A Sudden Romance by Rose Fresquez.
For May, I guess I’ve already read my book. I was reading The Butterfly Recluse by Therese Heckenkamp for another challenge. Started and finished it today. And boy is it an emotional book. Sure did make me cry in spots.
Awww. Here’s a tissue! Glad you got to double dip!
I read Inventions of the Heart by Mary Conneally. I recommend the first two books in the series for sure. I haven’t read book three yet.
I started On the Cliffs of Foxglove Manor by Jaime Jo Wright. Life happened, and I haven’t finished it yet, but so far it’s 10/10.
I understand that completely. I’ve been trying to read the same Erica Vetsch book since October. Today, I reached the 1/4 mark. Distractions have been killer.
Exactly. I forgot to give my reason for choosing Foxglove Manor. Though it’s not about renovating, the house that the plot centers on has been renovated.