“Gingerbread Treasures” by Rebekah Jones.

Today, I’m excited to share about the release of the individual stories that were originally part of the A Very Bookish Christmas novella collection. Each story takes elements from classic books and incorporates them into the story. This weekend, three of the four stories will now be available on Kindle! Today I'll be reviewing another of the books. :)

Gingerbread Treasures

 by Rebekah Jones

Synopsis: 

Missing Gingerbread Men are the Key...

Oliver Breckenridge has a case — one he’s willing to fly all the way across the pond at Christmastime to look into. 

Emily Willis says it all started with the gingerbread men. Then came the dognapping. And then the email…

Despite mounting clues, Oliver and his ad hock team of investigators aren’t getting anywhere. Add in a man Oliver hoped never to see again, a few rumors, and even more inconsistencies, and matters aren't clearing up.

Finding the “gingerbread treasure” might turn out to be more than they bargained for.

(From Goodreads)

My Review:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ & ❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎

4.5 stars & 5/10 hearts. This was my first book by Rebekah Jones and I would love to read more of her work!!! The story was humorous, mysterious, sweet, and a great retelling. As it happens, I was in the middle of rereading The Sign of the Four when I got this ARC so I had fun comparing the two. I was really impressed by how the author pulled in the important elements but changed some things and made them a bit more of subtle nods to Holmes’ story. There was a tiny bit of hugging (a guy comforting the girl character) but otherwise it was very clean. I really liked the characters, and I appreciated that the mystery was very clean too, but still kept the nasty villain factor and was still quite mysterious. There was excellent humour, and Gavin’s asthma threw in such an interesting and unique angle! The more I think of it the more of the subtle similarities I notice between the two stories and I’m extremely impressed. Highly recommended for Sherlock Holmes fans or mystery lovers! 

A Favourite Quote: “‘Praying won’t fix anything, you know.’

“... ‘It might not fix things how I would like them, but it will help me to bear what I need to.’”

A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “Emily smiled, pushing the hair out of the eyes that still held that gentle touch of sorrow in them.”

A Favourite Humorous Quote: “‘When did you memorize those verses?’

“‘I think that I was ten or eleven. Why?’

“Just making sure that you didn’t do it this morning, just so you could recite them to me.”

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*

Get this book:

America | Canada

Classic that inspired the story: Sherlock Holmes: The Sign of the Four.

Random fun fact: Gingerbread Treasures is just the beginning. I have 18 more books planned that stem off of this story.

Find it on Amazon and Goodreads.

And the same group is putting out an all-new collection this fall! You can add it to Goodreads now. 

To celebrate the release of the three Christmas stories, the authors are giving away an Amazon gift card!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

“Molly & Anna” by Sarah Holman

Today, I’m excited to share about the release of the individual stories that were originally part of the A Very Bookish Christmas novella collection. Each story takes elements from classic books and incorporates them into the story. This weekend, three of the four stories will now be available on Kindle! Today I'll be reviewing one of the books; my second review will come tomorrow! :)

Molly & Anna

 by Sarah Holman

Synopsis: 

With the death of her sister near Christmas time, Lacie becomes the guardian of two girls of mixed heritage. Caring for them is harder than she ever imagined. She’s confronted daily with memories she would rather forget and her own prejudice. No matter what, she is determined to give her two nieces the best Christmas she can.
Molly hasn’t seen her aunt Lacie in a long time, but she is determined to be glad, like in the book Pollyanna. It isn’t as easy. She misses her parents, her home, the mission her parents worked in, and her friends. She cannot understand why Aunt Lacie doesn’t like to talk about her father, but she will do whatever she needs to make a new start for her and her sister. 

(From Amazon)

My Review:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ & ❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎

5 stars & 5/10 hearts. What a perfect retelling! This is all a retelling should be, in my opinion—similar enough for one to quickly know which book it’s retelling, but different enough to be its own unique story. I think all of the main elements of “Pollyanna” were in this story, and as someone who’s known, loved, and reread “Pollyanna” all my life, I was so happy with this story. I totally loved how Sarah tackles a difficult subject and how she handles it. It’s really very well done!! Lacie’s journey was lovely & the ending was prefect. Jared was amazing too. And I loved the two little girls. Also, the father sounds like a simply wonderful man and I quite admired him, even if he was never in an actual scene. I’m looking forwards to the next retelling! 

A Favourite Quote: “‘You know that even though her husband is real mean, she never says anything bad about him? She doesn’t lie about him either, she just talks about how good God is to her.’”

A Favourite Humorous Quote: “‘Since I was there, Miss Hines tried to recruit me into helping with the play.’

“Aunt Lacie shook her head. ‘That woman would have the whole church involved if she could. Did she persuade you?’

“... ‘She sure did[.]’

“‘I’m glad you’re going to help.’ Molly liked Jared. 

“‘You are? ... Well, that settles it. I don’t want you to be unglad.’”

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*

Get this book:

America | Canada

Classic that inspired the story: Pollyanna by Eleanor H. Porter.

Random fun fact: Jared from this story might possibly be the same Jared featured in another of Sarah’s Christmas stories, Distorted Glass (but he was younger in that story).

Find it on Amazon and Goodreads.

And the same group is putting out an all-new collection this fall! You can add it to Goodreads now. 

To celebrate the release of the three Christmas stories, the authors are giving away an Amazon gift card!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

“Jo's Boys” by Louisa May Alcott

Jo's Boys, 
& How They Turned Out

by Louisa May Alcott

Synopsis: 

Best known for the novels Little Women and Little Men, Louisa May Alcott brought the story of her feisty protagonist Jo and the adventures and misadventures of the March family to an entertaining, surprising, and bittersweet conclusion in Jo’s Boys. Beginning ten years after Little Men, Jo’s Boys revisits Plumfield, the New England school still presided over by Jo and her husband, Professor Bhaer. Jo remains at the center of the tale, surrounded by her boys—including rebellious Dan, sailor Emil, and promising musician Nat—as they experience shipwreck and storm, disappointment and even murder.
Popular for over a century, Alcott’s series still holds universal appeal with its powerful and affectionate depiction of family—the haven where the prodigal can always return, adversity is shared, and our dreams of being cherished, despite our flaws, come true. In this edition of Jo’s Boys, readers once again experience a treasured classic by one of America’s best-loved writers.

My Review:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ & ❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎

 5+ stars & 8/10 hearts. This is the perfect wrap-up for the Little Women Series. Everyone has grown up perfectly (not a common thing in lengthy series!). This book is just as funny as the other two and it’s just as full of wisdom and truth. I still love Dan so much, and Emil (kind of sad Franz isn’t around anymore!) Josie & Ted are a pair, and Rob is a dear. It does have much more women’s rights in it than the other two, and a few instances of swearing, but other than that it’s lovely.

A Favourite Quote: “‘‘I don’t see but I must, and “leave the consequences to the Lord”, as Marmee used to say when she had to decide, and only saw a step of the road.’”

A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “Dan pitied him more than he dared to show, and this one tender emotion in that dark time was like the little flower that sprung up between the stones of the prison yard and saved the captive from despair, in the beautiful old story.”

A Favourite Humorous Quote: “‘I stir him up a bit, and he steadies me a great deal. You and father do the same, you know. Nice plan. I like it’; and Ted felt that he had settled the matter capitally.

“‘Mother won’t thank you for comparing yourself to her, Ted. I’m flattered at being like father in any way. I try to be,’ answered Rob, as they laughed at Ted’s compliment.”

Purchase this book: 

Canada | America

“I Don't Dance ” by Jesseca Wheaton

I Don't Dance 

by Jesseca Wheaton

Synopsis: 

Ty and Jen have been friends for nearly as long as anyone can remember. But when Ty goes off to college and leaves her behind, he has to face the reality that he cares for her as more then just a friend. 
As graduation approaches and with only one summer left before he begins basic training, Ty must make a decision. Military life is never easy; is it fair to force it on the one he loves? 
In the midst of wrestling with the question and coming to the realization that summer is quickly drawing to a close, Ty struggles to face questions he cannot answer, and is forced to examine his own heart. 
Is it possible that God has a future for him with Jen? Or will the summer close with only memories of days gone by? 
Their relationship would be old fashioned. But that was okay. Because old fashioned and whimsical fit perfectly with a southern summer.

My Review:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ & ❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎❤︎

5+ stars & 6/10 hearts. I was a bit wary of this book, but I fell in love almost immediately and loved it more and more as I read on. It was so sweet and summery and whimsical and... beautiful. The romance astonished me by its purity. There were a few hugs, maybe a cheek/hair kiss or two, and some dancing, but other than that it was perfectly pure. The chaperons were amazing and Mr. Davis was a great father. I loved Ty and Jen, but my favourite was by far Mike. How can I explain? He LIVED for me. I enjoyed him and his banter with Ty so, so much. I loved the themes—it tied together so beautifully and honestly, I didn’t expect them. I should have known. I love Jesseca Wheaton’s writing because of its beauty, both writing style, plots, and spiritual lessons. I kept expecting the story to end and turned the pages desperately only to find it continued—and ended perfectly. This author’s works just get better and better—and I’m so eager for her next story.

A Favourite Quote: “‘Ty, let’s not focus on how many days we have till you leave. Let’s instead focus on the time we’ve had. And the time we have left.’”
A Favourite Beautiful Quote: “She tilted her head, and the last rays of the sun caught her braid and turned it into tarnished gold.”
A Favourite Humorous Quote: “‘You got Mike home?’
“‘Yeah, we didn’t have any problems.’ Well, besides the fact that Mike had managed to figure out the password for his phone.”

Get this book:

Canada | America