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I thought Amanda Cabot's Into the Starlight was a sweet tale to read. I enjoyed it from start to finish. I am giving it well deserved five plus stars.
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Into the Starlight
by Amanda Cabot
Pub Date: July 16, 2024
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Get swept away by this emotional tale of family, friendship, and the kind of love that overcomes every obstacle.
This is a great series and I highly recommend it!
Into the Starlight is the third in the series Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing. This book follows the middle sister Joanna who has been travelling in the previous books. She is the gifted musician in the family and has been enjoying extensive piano training in Europe. Through the story we learn that she's had severe pneumonia which effectively ended her musical career as she can't "stand the exertion" with her lungs. So, she comes home. And she doesn't want to be coddled by her sisters but is struggling to find her path without concerts in her future.
None of the books are a stand-alone so I recommend starting with Book one in the series.
The book wraps everything up in a bow--especially the mystery of what happened to Clive...the man who built the house that the girls have lived in their whole life--who disappeared one day. Once the answer to that is revealed--it is obvious to me now that hints were given through the previous two books as well. But it still wasn't one of those IT IS OBVIOUSLLY SO-AND-SO until it was revealed.
I appreciated the inspirational encouragement throughout the books. 5 stars
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I've loved this series, this is the third book, and this is sister Joanna's turn. This can be read alone, but all three of the books are page turners.
Joanna has returned from Europe, she is a gifted pianist, but has had a serious illness. There are a lot of other surprises this family is about to learn as they greet their returned family member. She isn't home long when more surprise guests arrives, and with them some answers to questions we have been looking for.
There is some sweet romance, along with some unresolved answers of where a missing person is?
The Answers do come, and then surprises abound, and we are gifted with an epilogue!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Revell, and was not required to give a positive review.
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This entry in the author’s Sweetwater Crossing series is a well-written and sweet it of escapism like the earlier books in the series. As with the others, the story of Joanna and Burke is well-written and emotional, and readers of the whole series will like catching up with characters from the other books. Joanna returns from Europe and heartbreak to catch up with family, while Burke and his aunt are trying to solve a family mystery. The mystery element really helps drive the story along. My only complaint is that some of the tension echoed the situation from the earlier books a little too closely. Again, though, a good, enjoyable entry in the series. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. All
views are entirely my own.
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I enjoyed how this third book tied us loose ends and brought the story full circle. While some of it was a little odd and was a different twist on what could have happened in the 1880’s I enjoyed the series as a whole. This book told the love story for the last sister, and I enjoyed the relationship between the two main characters. There was a big mystery that is finally solved…in a very interesting way.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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I was sad to see that the series is ending with this book. I have enjoyed the 3 sisters and their adventures.
Joanna and Burke have been my favorite couple. And of course Della and Harold! The characters are
likable and there's just enough mystery to keep it going.
Thank you NetGalley for my arc.
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What a wonderful close to a great series. This was probably my favorite book out of the three.
This book about the middle child of a mixed family is very endearing. I loved Joanna and felt like she exhibited all the things a middle child normally does. She was definitely balanced, independent, and a peace keeper. Her story was interesting and I loved how we really got to know her.
Burke's story was also the most interesting out of the husbands. I found his hardship to be the most real and we really got to know him more than Josh and Craig. It was really just a heartwarming read.
I highly recommend this series to anyone wanting a historical romance that is sort of like a Hallmark movie but better.
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Thank you to Net Galley and Revell for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
This is the third book in the Sweetwater Crossing trilogy. I have read and enjoyed all three books. This book focuses on the middle sister, Joanna Vaughn. She must return home to Sweetwater Crossing when her dreams of becoming a concert pianist are shattered by illness and the death of her husband. At first it is hard for her to find her way, but with her family's help she begins to build a new life. I enjoyed this book. I like the way the author solved the mystery of Clive Finley and his big house. I recommend reading all of the books in this trilogy.
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Into the Starlight by Amanda Cabot was a good book. This is the third book in the series. Johanna is back home after going on tour as a pianist. She is back with her sisters and their families deciding what is the next step. There are new friends that they meet. This book is about family and friendship. I really enjoyed how the author wrote the book and am looking forward to reading the other books. I was given this book by NetGally. All thoughts are my own.
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I really appreciate a novel like this. It kind of reminds me of a Hallmark movie that warms your heart in more ways than one. This book has done that for me.
I loved Joanna's story best. This is the 3rd and best novel in this series!
I felt like I got to know her so much better!
Burke was the same way. He is the most interesting character because of his past.
Yes, we all make mistakes. I wish Dr. Burke realized that instead of beating himself up all the time.
My heart went out to him in many ways.
This is a can't put down book until these two wonderful characters tell their story.
This story is full of love, family, friendship and compassion along with the community of Sweetwater Creek. Don't you just love the name? I do.
I enjoyed see Louisa and Emily too.
5 stars for keeping my heart full and satisfied! I highly recommend!
My thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review..all opinions expressed are my own.
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Such a delightful Historical Romance with endearing characters.
The writing in this book is truly beautiful. I enjoy reading books that evoke emotions in me, and the characters of this story really touch my heart...This book has everything - romance, intrigue, and mystery! The romance is sweet and tender and serves as a reminder that love can happen unexpectedly.
This is the third and sadly final book in the Sweetwater Crossing series. The story begins with Johanna, who has just arrived at her childhood home after experiencing devastating losses. Her dreams of becoming a concert pianist were shattered, by a severe pneumonia that affected her lungs. On top of that, her husband, whom she married after a whirlwind courtship, has passed away... Meanwhile, Burke has arrived at Sweetwater Crossing with her aunt to visit the Finley House... Burke is a Doctor struggling with guilt over the outcome of a patient's treatment and is finding it challenging to move on. Meanwhile, Johanna has lost everything dear to her and is searching for a new path in life. Burke and Johanna share many similarities, making them an ideal match for each other.
The mystery surrounding the fate of Clive Finley, who built Finley House for his fiancée, has finally been revealed. While everyone assumed he left to fight in the war and died, it has now come to light that he never left town. Johanna and Burke join forces to investigate what happened to Clive Finley... If you're good at guessing, you might know where the body is and have a good suspicion about who did it. The author drops some clues throughout the series, but the ending is still shocking and slightly sad.
Johanna and Burke are delightful characters who are easy to love, and their gently swoony romance grows from the warm friendship that first develops between them. It’s been a while since I’ve rooted for two characters to have a happy ending as much as I have for these two. Love these characters, especially Johanna, and her resilience despite disappointment in her pursuit of love and happiness.
The story was concise and did not have any unnecessary words... When I think of this book, words like bittersweet, inspirational, emotional, and romantic come to mind. The story can be read on its own, but I recommend reading the previous book to become familiar with the returning characters, especially Beulah and little Noah. I highly recommend Into the Starlight to everyone who enjoys reading delightfully written historical fiction, mystery, and romance!
Immediately posted reviews on Goodreads, BookBub, Barnes and Noble... and Amazon on publish date.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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Into the Starlight was wonderful to read. I didn’t know it was third in a series but you don’t have to have read the previous ones to know what is happening. The character development is great and both men and women characters developed. The Christian principles are enforced and God is prominent. I wish more verses of scripture were included. The book draws you into characters who have had devastating things in their lives, yet push forward to persue happiness and love.
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This is book 3 of 3. I suggest reading the previous books. Without having read them, I was lost in this story. I am going to read the first 2 books.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
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Another fantastic book by Amanda Cabot! The third and sadly final book in the Sweetwater Crossing series. I enjoyed Joanna's story immensely! There were so many surprises that popped up everywhere! A mystery is solved, and true love is found!
The characters are wonderful! There are many familiar characters and some interesting new ones! I love that all of the sisters found love and the men in their lives are full of great qualities! The way the author writes her characters really touches the heart, and they start to feel like beloved members of family!
Some difficult issues are present in the book. Death of loved ones, murder and mental illness. On the opposite side, there's also second chances, love, and new life! I eagerly look forward to reading more books by this author!
I was provided a complimentary copy of the book by Revell via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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I enjoyed this story so much. Love the sisters and their interactions. Joanna is a kind soul who grew through tragedy and pain. Burke is helping his aunt find peace. I love how the author brought the series full circle. I received a free copy with no expectations.
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Great book! I loved reading this one. It kept me interested the whole way through. I feel like this will be a book that will be on my mind for a while.
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Into the Starlight
By Amanda Cabot
Publisher: Revell
Series: Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing, Book 3
Rated: 4
Obtain: Borrow
Back of the Book: “After more than a year in Europe, Joanna Vaughn returns to Sweetwater Crossing, her dreams of becoming a concert pianist shattered. As if that weren't enough, her husband, whom she married after a whirlwind courtship, has died. The only thing sustaining her on the journey back to Texas was the thought of her childhood home. But to Joanna's dismay, she's changed so much that the place she once loved no longer feels like home.
After his fiancée married his partner and both blamed him for a patient's death, Dr. Burke Finley believes it's time for a change. A quick trip with his almost-aunt Della Samuels to Sweetwater Crossing turns into an extended stay to discover what happened to his uncle and her would-be husband. But the beautiful and musical Joanna makes it more than bearable.
As the two join forces to help Della, there is no denying the attraction felt on both sides. But ghosts from the past are coming to call--and threatening to destroy any chance at happily ever after.
Get swept away by this emotional tale of family, friendship, and the kind of love that overcomes every obstacle.”
Impressions: This is the third and final book of this series. This book follows Joanna who had been in Europe. The plot continues to follow Sweetwater Crossing residents as well, but this could be read as a stand-alone novel. I enjoyed the new characters introduced and the mystery they brought. I did not feel like so much drama from Joanna’s past was necessary at the end. It felt like a whirlwind of extra stress was brought up towards the end to throw things off and make the mysterious conclusion more exciting. Rather than feel engaging it made the ending feel scattered.
Quotes: “...’ Talking about what had happened would help him, a bit like lancing a boil to let the poison drain...’”
I received an ARC of this book via the publisher through NetGalley for my honest review shared here.
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I love the sisters and how close they are. Sweetwater Crossing is a place where everyone feels like family and would be a great place to grow. Although this story is a romance there is so much more. A deeply buried secret keeps the reader fully engaged. More than one secret keeps this story exciting, twisting everything to keep the reader guessing at how it ends. I enjoyed the music and medicine components of this story. The author does a fantastic job at guiding the readers and their emotions toward certain characters yet keeping them undecided about others. There is a great ending to the story and series that wrapped up all three sisters and their lives founded on God, family and friends.
Was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
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Into the Starlight is the third and final book in the Sweetwater Crossing series. Joanna has come back home after being in Europe for a year. She is heartbroken in more than one sense: she's been widowed, she has returned home after both of her parents died, and she has lost her capacity to play the piano for long periods of time. To top it all off, she's pregnant. The day she arrives back home, Burke Finley and his "aunt" Della have come to Sweetwater Crossing to get some answers. Della was supposed to marry Burke's uncle, Clive Finley, and he disappeared without a trace.
There is a fairly large cast of characters roaming through this novel, making up the warp and woof of the town. It is not hard to keep track of the characters because they have shown up in other books in this series.
There is a bit of mystery and a couple of romances brewing in this final offering from Sweetwater Crossing. The mystery surrounds Clive's disappearance and who the last people were who saw him. The pastor finds a fondness for Della and Burke quickly finds himself falling for Joanna. The love of the three sisters is something I could only wish for my own children.
Amanda Cabot has a realism in her characters that evoke feelings of comradery and friendship. Even though her characters live in a bygone era, they are real in the sense of having faults and foibles as well as qualities of genuineness. I would love to have those sisters as friends.
The only thing that I didn't like in the book is that some of the issues were tied up too neatly as a vehicle to pull the series together.
A Strong Four Star Book.
Revell Publishing provided the copy I read for this review.
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Into the Starlight is the third in the series Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing. This book follows the middle sister Joanna who has been travelling in the previous books. She is the gifted musician in the family and has been enjoying extensive piano training in Europe. Through the story we learn that she's had severe pneumonia which effectively ended her musical career as she can't "stand the exertion" with her lungs. So she comes home. And she doesn't want to be coddled by her sisters, but is struggling to find her path without concerts in her future.
She comes under the scrutiny of Dr. Burke Finley who assesses that she has medical issues just from his personal training. He's in Sweetwater to accompany his aunt to the house that her fiancé built for her...the home that Joanna and her sisters are living in and is used as an INN. he has his own personal demons he's battling, but he is called to provide the care he trained for. He also desperately wants to help *cure* something like the pneumonia Joanna had in order to help so many people.
The book wraps everything up in a bow--especially the mystery of what happened to Clive...the man who built the house that the girls have lived in their whole life--who disappeared one day. Once the answer to that is revealed--it is obvious to me now that hints were given through the previous two books as well. But it still wasn't one of those IT IS OBVIOUSLLY SO-AND-SO until it was revealed.
This was a great series and had a lot of inspirational encouragement throughout the books. Highly recommend all three...and you really need all three as none of them truly is a stand-alone.
4 stars.
*I was provided a complimentary copy of the ARC by the publishers and NetGalley. i was not obligated to write a positive review and all opinions are 100% my own.