December 2021 Reads and January 2022 TBR

My December 2021 Reads:

I read considerably more than I expected to in December. Hooray!

1. Cinders Like Glass by Clarissa Kae - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 1/2 - Read my review.


2. Never Leave Me by Jody Hedlund - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 1/2 - Read my review..


3. The Debutante's Code by Erica Vetsch - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review. 


4. A Second Chance by Walt Mussell. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Read my review.


5. The Wish Book Christmas by Lynn Austin. - ⭐⭐⭐⭐- Read my review.


6. Sunrise by Susan May Warren - ⭐⭐⭐1/2 - Review to come 1/04/22.

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Expected January 2022 Reads:

2022 is starting off strong in the Christian Fiction realm with some favorite authors releasing books this month and next. I'm so excited about my upcoming reads!!!

1. Boundaries: When to Say Yes, When to Say No to Take Control of Your Life by Henry Cloud and John Townsend - Currently rereading this amazing book. I've found it so helpful every time I've read it.


2. Elinor by Shannon McNear.


3. Stone by Ronie Kendig.


4. Roots of Wood and Stone by Amanda Wen. - Recently nominated for a Christy award!


5. The Ice Swan by J'nell Ciesielski - My local book club's selection for January.


6. A Heart Adrift by Laura Frantz - Currently reading!


7. The Girl Who Could Breathe Under Water by Erin Bartels


8. The Lady's Mine by Francine Rivers. - My favorite author of all time. I've got the ebook on my kindle, but I'm trying to hold out until the physical copy arrives!

What will you read this month?

Book Review: Never Leave Me by Jody Hedlund

About the Book:

Facing death takes courage. Facing life takes even more.

In the last stages of a genetic disease, Ellen Creighton has decided to live out her remaining days at the estate of her longtime friend Harrison Burlington. Though he's never allowed himself to get serious in a relationship due to his paralysis, Harrison cares deeply for Ellen and is desperately trying to save her life by finding the holy water that is believed to heal any disease--the same substance Ellen suspects is responsible for the deaths of her father and sister.

But Harrison is not the only one seeking the holy water. Dangerous criminals are mere steps behind, and Ellen soon learns they will go to any lengths to get the powerful drug--including sending her back into the past to locate it for them.

Bestselling and award-winning author Jody Hedlund plunges you into the swiftly flowing river of history in this second breathtaking Waters of Time story.

Read an excerpt from Never Leave Me by Jody Hedlund on the publisher's website.

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My Thoughts:

I devoured Never Leave Me by Jody Hedlund. This easy-to-read story combined romance, danger, and time travel to hold my attention from beginning to end. I slightly favored the medieval intervals over the contemporary times, but the characters and narrative slipped seamlessly between the two periods. 

Ellen and Harrison’s friends-to-lovers romance sizzles from the first chapter to the last. There’s flirting, kissing, and desire. Yet, underlying this newfound romance is Harrison’s devotion to Ellen. He’s consistent. He’s willing to give Ellen space. He’ll do anything to save Ellen’s life from the genetic disease killing her. He sacrifices repeatedly for the woman he loves and makes a wonderful hero. I liked Harrison instantly and warmed up to Ellen as the story progressed.

Never Leave Me lands as the second installment in Jody Hedlund’s Waters of Time series. Several months have passed since I read Come Back to Me (book one) and Never Leave Me had just the right amount of refresher material to provide need-to-know information and remind me how the time travel worked. I recommend reading the novels in order. The series would make an epic binge-read session. Can’t wait for book three! 4.5 Stars!

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I was provided a copy of this book by the author or publisher. All opinions in this review are my own.