the calico books

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Title: The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden Pages: 319 Genres: Fantasy, Historical Publisher: Del Rey Books (Jan. 10th, 2017) Summary: At the edge of the Russian wilderness, winter lasts most of the year and the snowdrifts grow taller than houses. But Vasilisa doesn’t mind—she spends the winter nights huddled around the embers of a fire with her beloved siblings, listening to her nurse’s fairy tales. Above all, she loves the… Read More

Title: Hiddensee by Gregory Maguire Pages: 304 Genres: Fantasy, Retelling Publisher: William Morrow (Oct. 31st, 2017) Summary From the author of the beloved #1 New York Times bestseller Wicked, the magical story of a toymaker, a nutcracker, and a legend remade . . . Gregory Maguire returns with an inventive novel inspired by a timeless holiday legend, intertwining the story of the famous Nutcracker with the life of the mysterious toy maker named Drosselmeier who carves him. Hiddensee: An island… Read More

Title: All She Left Behind by Jane Kirkpatrick Pages: 368 Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Publisher Revell (Sept. 5th, 2017) Summary Already well-versed in the natural healing properties of herbs and oils, Jennie Pickett longs to become a doctor. But the Oregon frontier of the 1870s doesn’t approve of such innovations as women attending medical school. To leave grief and guilt behind, as well as support herself and her challenging young son, Jennie cares for an elderly woman… Read More

Title: Ornamental Graces by Carolyn Astfalk Pages: 366 Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Christian/Catholic Publisher: Multa Verba Publishing (Oct. 11th, 2016) Summary After his duplicitous girlfriend left, Dan Malone spent six months in a tailspin of despair and destruction: emotional, physical, and spiritual. Just when his life seems to be back on track, he meets Emily Kowalski, younger sister of his new best friend. Emily’s the kind of girl he’d always dreamed of—sweet, smart, and sincere. But he’s made… Read More

Title: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens Page: 384 Publisher: G. P. Putnam’s Sons (Aug. 14th, 2018) Summary For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, the so-called Marsh Girl. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in… Read More

Hey everyone! Today I’m teaming up with JustRead Tours and Gilead Publishing for the blog tour to celebrate the recent release of Silent Days, Holy Night by Phyllis Clark Nichols. I’ll be sharing my thoughts about the book as well as how you can win a copy! Here we go: Title: Silent Days, Holy Night by Phyllis Clark Nichols Pages: 240 Genres: Fiction, Inspirational, Christmas Published by: Gilead Publishing (Oct. 20th, 2018) Summary The sounds of Christmases past echo… Read More

Countdown to Christmas is back!  If you’re new(ish) to my blog, Countdown to Christmas is a weekly feature where I recommend a different Christmas-y book each week to read this holiday season.  This is the third year I’ve been doing this, and it’s now time to share my first pick for the 2018 holiday season! To start things off, my first pick for 2018 is Skipping Christmas by John Grisham. Imagine a year without… Read More

In honor of the recent release of Hester Fox’s debut novel, The Witch of Willow Hall, today I’m sharing with you all my thoughts about the book as well as how you can have the chance to win a copy, plus a fun and festive prize pack! Title: The Witch of Willow Hall by Hester Fox Pages: 368 Genre: Historical Fiction Published by: Harlequin’s Graydon House Books (Oct. 2nd, 2018) Summary Two centuries after the Salem witch trials,… Read More

Title: Sunrise Cabin by Stacey Donovan Pages: 346 Genres: Romance, Contemporary Published by: Hallmark Publishing (Sept. 16th, 2018) Summary Two very different people… One very special place. Dylan’s an overworked investment banker. Paige is a free-spirited first-grade teacher. From the first time they meet, these two opposites attract. Meanwhile, the cabin Paige is renting has gone up for sale. She loves living there, and she just might be able to buy it—if she finally achieves her dream… Read More

Hey everyone!  Today on the blog, I’m going to be sharing with you all my thoughts about the poetry book Purple Kisses, as well as share how you can enter to win an e-copy! This is in celebration of the re-release of Purple Kisses, in honor of its new cover! Title: Purple Kisses by Priya Prithviraj, illustrated by Niveditha Warrier Pages: 23 Genre: Poetry, Art Publisher: Linnet’s Wings Press (Dec. 31st, 2017) Summary Purple Kisses’ is a one-of-a-kind book of… Read More