Adult Review – Springtime in Surrey – anthology
Welcome to the Springtime in Surrey Blog Tour!
I’m so excited to participate in the blog tour and giveaway for a new novella collection: Springtime in Surrey: a Wild Blue Wonder Press anthology!
Guide to categories: Adult Review – review of books for adults – they may or may not be appropriate for a school library
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Purchase Springtime in Surrey on Amazon
About the Book
The genre is … Christian Women’s Fiction, both Historical and Contemporary
This collection of novellas, set in County Surrey, England, features both historical and contemporary stories by new and old authors!
Springtime in Surrey contains the follow eight novellas:
Jesus, I Am Resting by Faith Blum
Elinor Chapman, an orphaned laundry woman, must fight to survive after WWI breaks out. She prays her beau doesn’t die on a foreign battlefield like her father did 14 years ago. She is forced to take on nursing, but her passion for helping other orphans distracts her from this job, leaving her little time for rest. Will she run herself into the ground … or will she learn to rest in Jesus?
The Cottage on the Hill by Andrea Renee Cox
During every teatime at her cottage hideaway, Moira struggles to discover hope amongst her lost ballerina dreams. Unsettled by elusive goals of his own, sheep farmer Adrian observes his uncle’s neighbor crying into her tea and wonders why… and what he can do to cheer her up. While facing their regrets, can Moira and Adrian trust that God has a good plan despite crushed dreams and far-off hopes?
If I Knew You Were Coming by Bailey Gaines
With her husband off to war and two evacuee children staying in her home, Joan feels duty-bound to contribute to the war effort via her participation in the Women’s Land Army. She is thrilled to learn that her husband has leave. But when the London Blitz ruins her plans to see him, Joan must decide what is most important in her life: her contribution to the war effort or her calling as a mother?
Her Heart’s Home by Grace A. Johnson
Forced from her childhood home after her father was killed in action, Meredith Tate is forced to seek employment at the Deepdene Hotel until she discovers the next step. Which most certainly does not include the brooding Captain Trevor Seaton, a guest who always manages to catch her at her worst. Despite his gentle magnetism, Meredith is determined not to fall for a military man—but God may have other plans.
The Tussie-Mussie by Katja H. Labonté
Caitrìona is determined to rescue her family from poverty by making a brilliant match. She is on the verge of success when her brother is arrested for a sensational crime. Banished to the country, she meets Ewart, a fearful recluse with a younger sister in need of aid. Ewart and Caitrìona grow together through shared goals—but as mysteries are uncovered and characters tested, what truth will be revealed?
The Odd Duck Society by Rachel Leitch
Jessamy Aubertine is too much for her university classmates, too little for her overstressed mum, and nothing in between. Then a mysterious letter signed by Jane Austen brings her back to her family’s fading tea shop and a pair of unlikely comrades. Will they find the letter writer—and perhaps discover themselves along the way? Or will their friendship fade with The Muses?
Fear Not Tomorrows by Erika Mathews
Hardworking Margaret Enfield is thrilled with her engagement to her lifelong best friend Lester. When his brother’s sudden illness forces Lester’s prolonged and indefinite absence, every tomorrow feels bleak to Margaret as lonely drudgery overtakes the once-rosy springtime. As she throws herself into her tasks, can she learn to trust her tomorrows with Jesus—one day at a time?
Courage to Stay by Kellyn Roth
Rosalind finds herself engaged to Matthias after her former fiancé, his brother, perishes in battle. Determined to forge a connection, she embarks on a risky mission. When Matthias retreats into his own turmoil on a hunting trip, Rosalind disguises herself as a man and follows him to the forest, vowing to fight for their love. Will Matthias summon the courage to stay, or will his fractured mind drive them apart forever?
My Review
Springtime in Surrey. White Salmon, WA: Wild Blue Wonder Press, 2023
I love anthologies! Springtime in Surrey is no exception either. This anthology includes 8 different novellas. Some are contemporary, while others are historical fiction. Some are related in some way to a war, others are not. Most involve a tragedy of some sort that is overcome. Most of the stories either directly or indirectly show the working of God in the lives of the characters. All the stories take place in Surrey.
Jesus, I Am Resting by Faith Blum
After her mother dies, Elinor is left on her own, an orphan. She tries to do the work her mother started and later works as a nurse, but she does it under her own power – not relying on the Lord. Author Blum builds up the story to include an unexpected romance as well as a tragedy which forces Elinor to change the focus of her life.
The Cottage on the Hill by Andrea Renee Cox
Moira suffered a severe injury which killed her lifelong dreams. She struggles with accepting the changes in her life until Adrian, a young man helping out on the next door farm, takes an interest in her. He is also struggling with unfulfilled dreams. Together they figure out how to move forward from disappointments. AuthorCox shows a clear understanding of tragedy in someone’s life.
If I Knew You Were Coming by Bailey Gaines
Joan is doing what she can to contribute to the war effort while her husband is fighting the war. She helps on a farm and has taken in some refugee children. The day comes when she learns her husband has leave but can’t get home. She is faced with choosing to help the children through a tragedy of their own or going to see her husband. She also faces some shocking information. Together the family figures out what life is now going to look like. Author Gaines handles some very difficult situations in a caring way.
Her Heart’s Home by Grace A. Johnson
Meredith has been forced from her home because she has no money to keep it up. She takes a job at a local mansion turned hotel. She relies on the Lord for guidance. She meets a retired captain who is a guest at the hotel. Meredith and Trevor grow closer together. The story ends with a very happy surprise. Life doesn’t always have a happily-ever-after ending, but I am glad author Johnson gave this story the ending she did.
The Tussie-Mussie by Katja H. Labonté
The Roylett family is in poverty but does have some richer connections. So, Caitriona tries her hand at finding a good husband during the London season. Unfortunately, her brother is accused of a crime and, by family association, all of Caitriona’s chances at a good match disappear. Ewart is a bit of a recluse who, due to family circumstances, is raising his sister away from society. When his estranged mother demands he prepare his sister for entering society, a chance meeting brings Caitriona as a governess for his sister. Between the two of them, mysteries are solved with the help of the help of the person who took over for Sherlock Holmes. Both Ewart and Caitriona have wounds to heal and author Labonte guides them to that healing.
The Odd Duck Society by Rachel Leitch
This novella has several nods to classic literature and its authors which many readers will enjoy. The story is not without stress – a seemingly impossible task, letters coming from the past (who wrote them), being accused of stealing someone’s writing, and more. Leitch does a great job of moving the story forward and keeping the audience guessing as to who wrote the letters and how the story will turn out.
Fear Not Tomorrows by Erika Mathews
We all have tragedy in our lives at some point. Main character Margaret seems to have more than her share, however. Just when it looks like she will see some dreams come true another tragedy occurs making those dreams move farther away. Author Mathews exhibits a strong leaning on the Lord in the midst of tragedy throughout this story.
Courage to Stay by Kellyn Roth
Rosalind was “supposed to” marry the brother who died. Instead she marries the younger brother (whom she actually had a crush on as a child). But Matthias is different now, because of what he witnessed in the war. Author Roth does an excellent job of building the tension between Rosalind and Matthias and bringing that tension to a resolution.
Springtime in Surrey is a collection of novellas whose primary audience is adults. Because of a few scenes in the book I would recommend librarians read the book first to determine if it is appropriate for their audience.
I received a complimentary copy of Springtime in Surrey. This is my honest opinion.
Where to Find It
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3OpdzZh
Website: https://wildbluewonderpress.com/springtime-in-surrey/
Add it to your TBR stack on Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/157492074-springtime-in-surrey
Or on Bookbub:
What about this giveaway, though?!
The authors of Springtime in Surrey are hosting a huge giveaway with not one but two winners—a US winner and an international winner—over the course of the blog tour!
From July 25th to July 31st, follow the tour, commenting on posts, and subscribe to the authors’ newsletters and blogs! The winners will be announced on August 1st and contacted by email!
US Prizes
A print copy of Springtime in Surrey, two bookmarks and a quote sticker, a spring-themed mug, a bookish ornament, a spring-themed candle, an inspirational journal, and tea.
International Prizes
An ebook copy of Springtime in Surrey, two bookmarks and a quote sticker, a gift card, an ebook of choice by Erika Mathews, an ebook from the winner’s Amazon wishlist, an exclusive epilogue of The Tussie-Mussie, and a phone wallpaper.
Rules
Entrants must be 18+ or have parental permission to enter. Two winners—one US and one international—will be randomly selected at the end of the giveaway and contacted by email. The winners must be comfortable sharing their shipping addresses. Any and all information provided through the giveaway will be used only for the purposes stated.
ENTER BELOW:
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/1956f7e911/?
Feel free to check out Wild Blue Wonder Press on Instagram and Facebook, participate in the social media bookish challenge, or browse the other posts on the blog tour using our …
Blog Tour Schedule
Monday, July 24th
Kickoff Post at Lilacs & Reveries
Interview with Katja H. Labonté at Sheep Among Wolves
Interview with Faith Blum at Library Lady’s Kid Lit
Launch Announcement at Writing to Inspire
Interview with Rachel Leitch at Words & Wildflowers
Three-Novella Review at Miraculous Homeschool
Tuesday, July 25th (LAUNCH DAY)
Collection Spotlight at Of Blades and Thorns
Collection Spotlight & Single-Novella Review at Review from the Stacks
Collection Review at Emily Yager
Collection Review at The Book Dragon’s Alcove
Collection Review at Story of a Christian Girl
Wednesday, July 26th
Two-Novella Review at H.S. Kylian
Collection Review at Abbigail B.
“Tips from Editing 7 Novellas in a Month,” a Guest Post by Kellyn at Joyfully Natasha
Collection Review at Imperial Scribis
Thursday, July 27th
“Why We Wrote Stories Set in Surrey,” a Guest Post from Kellyn at A Handful of Quietness
Collection Review at Library Lady’s Kid Lit
Collection Spotlight at Kelsey’s Notebook
Single-Novella Review at Vanessa Hall
Interview with Andrea Renee Cox at Story of a Christian Girl
Friday, July 28th
Two-Novella Review at Read Review Rejoice
Collection Spotlight at Writing to Inspire
Collection Review at Graceful Reflections
“Why I Love Writing Women’s Fiction,” a Guest Post from Kellyn at Abbigail B.
Saturday, July 29th
Collection Review at Saraina Whitney
Collection Review & Collection Spotlight at Little Blossoms for Jesus
“Children’s Books I Drew Inspiration From,” a Guest Post from Kellyn at Library Lady’s Kid Lit
Wrapup Post at Lilacs & Reveries
You can find more of Library Lady’s Adult Reviews here.