The Magnolia House Listening Room Experience

If you are a repeat visitor to the blog, you know by now that I love to read and I have a crazy little thing called Alpha Gal Syndrome that greatly impacts my life. With those two factors, it is probably not a surprise that I don’t get out much. Evenings are one of my favorite times to cuddle up with the pups and a good book. Eating away from home is always a risk; I don’t deign to micromanage another cook’s kitchen and failing to do so could result in accidental allergen consumption, which is never a good time for my family or me. So when my dear friend Rachel at Magnolia House Listening Room informed me the menu for a particular dinner concert would be vegan and totally safe for me, I set aside my book for an evening and enjoyed a night out. Sit back and get cozy, and I will tell you the tale of a girl who had a magical experience practically in her own backyard.

Magnolia House is a darling little coffee shop in an historic building in the heart of downtown Prairie Grove, Arkansas. Just down from Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park, you will find Magnolia House lining the street alongside a handful of fascinating little shops in beautiful old storefronts. The front porch is inviting on a balmy day, but step through the doors to meet some of the sweetest people you will ever meet. During the daytime and Thursday evening open mic nights, you can sample their handcrafted coffees, house blended teas and homemade pastries. Their brunch and lunch menus will delight even the soggiest curmudgeon. I could go on for days about how their food is made from scratch in a cozy little kitchen just like my grandmothers did, or how blissful it is to sit and soak up the nostalgia as you enjoy your culinary delights. But a very different kind of magic happens on Saturday nights, when Magnolia House dons her exclusive elevated identity and shines as Magnolia House Listening Room.

The light outside was fading and the streets of small town America were tucking themselves in for the night on this particular evening. Patrons stood with bated breath, waiting for the doors to open and allow us to find a table in preparation for the carefully curated three course meal. Homemade hummus anchored the appetizer with a glorious pour of olive oil, accented by fresh cut vegetables and freshly made flatbread. This hummus sang with vibrant, fresh flavors, and enough garlic to make the body feel joyful for having consumed it. I could have made a very satisfying meal on the appetizer alone, but then the entree was discreetly swept into place and I found myself looking at the very portrait of a perfectly crafted baked sweet potato. Well seasoned, perfectly cooked black beans, slivered fresh red onions, a delicately portioned mound of perky little sprouts, and a well balanced sprinkle of scallion weighed perfectly on the fork and satisfyingly on the tongue. Closing my eyes and savoring each bite, my body thrummed with energy, good health, and great happiness as life leapt from fork to tongue. To be honest, one half of this masterpiece could have sufficed as supper, the second as dessert. But the creative genius behind this meal left no such opportunity, as a moist and flavorful spiced apple cake was set before me. My heart and body were so very blissful. And then the music began.

The delightful fare provided by MHLR.

Looking at the venue area of Magnolia House does not evoke thoughts of great acoustics or a particularly special listening experience. But do not be fooled. The music in the Magnolia House Listening Room is unamplified, so it is not overwhelming, but it will take someone more familiar with sound engineering than I to explain how the particular shape of the room manages to take that sound and channel it directly to the soul. And the musical magicians of this evening are storytellers who speak directly to the soul, haunting and delighting and tickling the spirit with musical Ozark folklore that evokes a visceral reaction. Still On The Hill delights like no one I have heard before, and I noticed several times that I was holding my breath, leaning forward in my chair or settling relaxed in my seat, depending on the lyrical story they were telling. With quilted slideshows and instruments that tell their own stories, the duo carried me away like pixies in the night, and slipped me home none the wiser by morning. And when the show ended, I was surprised to find that any time at all had passed. The only appropriate response I could give was to sit in my seat, eyes closed, cells humming joyfully through my body, and savor the experience. I might have actually been to enthralled  to applaud, but in the intimacy of the setting, I’m sure they felt the extent of my gratitude.

Woman By Grace and Magnolia Rachel with Kelly & Donna of Still On The Hill

My Partner In Dine for the evening was my heart’s sister and Magnolia House bakery genius, Rachel.

Still On The Hill is one of the phenomenal artists who have graced the patrons of the Magnolia House Listening Room, and the schedule is packed past and future with more acts that are not to be missed. Each one specifically curated by the musical genius of owner and outstanding musical artist, Rachel Fields. You can find the lineup and purchase tickets online: https://www.magnoliahousepg.com/events and I recommend doing just that. For less than the cost of a night on the town, we were immersed in a magical experience that is simply a shame to miss. 

Book Review - The Collector of Burned Books

What is it about the written word that causes people to fear it? And what kind of beliefs must one have that they cannot stand against reading what is written from a different point of view? Roseanna M. White probes these questions in her upcoming release, The Collector of Burned Books, in which two literature professors in very different circumstances find themselves both thrown together and pulled apart.

Set during the occupation of Paris in 1940, Corinne Bastien and Christian Bauer find themselves on opposing sides politically. But despite the glaring differences, they find that free thinking and literature brings them together in a dangerous way. Bauer is assigned the task of library protector, including responsibilities at the rather curious Library of the Burned Books, a place with which Corinne is quite familiar. Though their political responsibilities are as different as darkness and light, their intellect and sensibilities find each other in the city filled with strife. White’s research shines in this novel, allowing the reader to see the contrasts and similarities in humanity through focused shaping of the setting and characters. The debates about literature, censorship, and free thought are well balanced and provocative, inspiring the reader to consider their own stance on the situation. The reader is reminded that there is often a very true person hiding beneath the projected facade. Though Corinne and Christian are the main characters, understanding and openness shine in their small corner of the City of Lights. The Collector of Burned Books is an enthralling read for its fiction, and an inspiring one for the light it shines on literature as a valuable conduit for thoughts and ideas.

The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White releases July 15, 2025 and is currently available for preorder from your favorite local bookseller or online:

Baker Book House    Christian Book    Amazon     Barnes & Noble    Walmart

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for allowing me a copy to read and review. All opinions expressed here are my own and are completely genuine. 

Book Review - Sunrise Reef

If you are also a longtime resident of Hope Harbor, I welcome you home. If you are a visitor, I hope you enjoy your stay. In the decade since Irene Hannon released her first Hope Harbor novel, many people have found home in this place where hearts heal and love blooms. Some are characters in the eleven novels of the series, but many are readers who have fallen in love with the town and its cast of vibrant characters.

Sunrise Reef is the eleventh Hope Harbor novel and focuses on Bren Ryan, one of our favorite baristas at The Perfect Blend. With a past full of heartache, Bren has started to find healing in her new home. Everything seems well settled for her until the day she finds herself in need of a temporary home, accosted in the middle of the night, and opening her arms to a stranger who feels like a kindred spirit. Noah Ward has a laser focused plan for his visit to Hope Harbor, and the sooner he can convince his father to move back to St. Louis, the sooner he can end this faux vacation and get back to work. That laser focus is how Noah has climbed to success in his world and how he will achieve his goal. This naturally means that Bren and Noah inevitably collide in glorious fashion on a regular basis. Hannon takes this seriously and delivers one run-in after another that will have to make or break this opposites-attract couple in a cozy and adorable page turner that keeps all of Hope Harbor on their toes.

Not one to shirk her supporting character duty, Hannon creates a supporting cast like no other. A job partially done by the lovingly crafted characters of the previous novels, the supporting characters are rounded out by some new additions, including Emma Blair. Emma has been riding a wave of bad luck for several years and it seems to have run out when her car dies in Hope Harbor. Fortunately, it never seems to be bad luck for anyone to get stuck in Hope Harbor, and though I enjoyed the way Hannon developed her story, I do hope Emma gets her own book someday. Sunrise Reef is a charming addition to the Hope Harbor series, but I am not going to judge too harshly if you decide to read it as a standalone. It will flow just fine. However, for real richness, indulge in the series and build all that backstory that comes with a decade of knowing and loving the residents of this hopeful little seaside town with big heart.

Sunrise Reef, the eleventh novel in the Hope Harbor series by Irene Hannon, is available now from your favorite local bookseller or online:

Baker Book House    Christian Book    Amazon    Barnes & Noble    Walmart

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for allowing me a copy to read and review. All opinions expressed here are my own and are completely genuine.

Book Review - The Voice We Find

When I received the review copy of this book, I quickly realized I had not yet read the first two books in the Fog Harbor Romance Series. While I am happy to report that The Voice We Find can be read as a standalone, I am also quite glad I took the time to binge read all three books in order last week. It makes certain things a bit sweeter to have the greater context. I also thoroughly enjoyed each intricately woven storyline and the tapestry they weave together. Nicole Deese has created these characters lovingly, with great depth. I convinced my soul sister to read along so we could shoot texts back and forth the way we did when we parallel watched Gilmore Girls and When Calls the Heart, and my favorite from her has been, “Tell me I’ll always love Chip.” I will resist the urge to tell you what I told her, as I recommend finding out for yourself.

The Voice We Find is, like every other Nicole Deese I have read, an experience with dear friends. Sophie Wilder is a brilliant stage actress whose star has fallen and must drag her disgraced self back to a home and trauma she has spent years avoiding. August Tate is still trying to find his footing in a world upended by tragedy, which is compounded by soul crushing shame. It is Chip that brings Sophie and August together with a business proposition that is like nothing either has ever imagined. While Sophie struggles to find her voice, August struggles to find his sister’s lost hearing, and Gabby struggles to be heard as she embraces the challenges of her new normal and meets them head on with grace and grit. The Voice We Find will have you cheering for beloved characters, rooting for the downfall of the villains, and searching out your own Twilight Theater experiences. The lessons learned by each are worth carrying close to the heart and the romance fermenting between Sophie and August will have you feeling just a bit tipsy with bliss!

The Voice We Find, the third book in the Fog Harbor Romance series from Nicole Deese, releases on April 15, 2025 and is currently available for preorder from your favorite local bookseller or online:

Baker Book House    Christian Book    Amazon     Barnes & Noble    Walmart

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me a copy to read and review. All opinions expressed here are my own and are completely genuine.

Book Review - Some Like It Scot

Sometimes home is where you find it. Katie Campbell has been globetrotting since her grandparents’ deaths, untethered and free, a social media star for her travel adventures and misadventures. A three week Edwardian Experience in Scotland is eccentric, but right up her alley. A thieving parrot and a tumble into the loch are hairy situations that make perfect stories for her followers; it is the #hotScot that whips them into a frenzy, though. And for some reason, Graeme MacKerrow seems to be present for every misadventure, seeing her only in the worst possible light while saving her life time and again. If only he was not so grumpy. And so infernally hot.

Some Like It Scot is heavy on the grump, the #hotScot and misadventure. Pepper Basham has created a community of quirky, lovable characters and brought them together in a spellbinding setting with experiences, both Edwardian and modern, that weave them together like the sturdiest plaid. A fair amount of frustration, a good bit of humor, and the nicest bit of heat make this a fun story to read about finding home, even when you did not realize you were searching for it. If you are looking for a fun romp with a good heart, a handful of humor and a dash of sweet heat, Some Like It Scot is a great pick.

Some Like It Scot by Pepper Basham will be available April 8, 2025 from your favorite local bookseller or online:

Baker Book House    Christian Book    Amazon     Barnes & Noble    Walmart

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Book Review - Break My Fall

Break My Fall by Lynn H. Blackburn is a return to Gossamer Falls and our friends, the Quinn family. This time, Dr. Meredith Quinn has seen and heard too much during her trips to neighboring Neeson in her mobile dentistry van, a fact that becomes painfully obvious when she finds herself stranded on the side of the road with an empty gas tank that should have still been full. It is a good thing Chief Grayson Ward is nearby to save the day. But why is he sticking so close to Meredith, especially when he keeps pushing her away? Drugs and trafficking run rampant in the county next door, but Gray has a problem with letting crime run amok on his doorstep. Fortunately, he has allies in his fight. Unfortunately, the woman he cannot let himself love is in the crosshairs of the worst of the perpetrators. And we all know what happens to those carefully constructed walls when the people who construct them find themselves in the line of fire.

If you read Never Fall Again, you are already a member of the Gossamer Falls community and are practically a Quinn, as well. Meredith and Mo, Cal and Cassie, Donovan and Gray are our people and we know them. Of course, we also know something has got to give between Meredith and Gray. And happy dance of happy dances, we get just that in Break My Fall. Blackburn’s characters stick with you; they are vibrant and relatable, and it is easy to want good things for them. The tension is very real, both in the romance and in the action of trying to keep headstrong Meredith safe when her primary concern is taking care of others. And the romance is so sweet. Maybe I am just a sucker right now, but I think it is more likely that this book is just one of the most downright delicious romances I have read in I don’t know how long. No need to worry, though… Mo keeps it from getting too sappy. Because that is just gross. (By the way, now that my hopes for Meredith and Gray are fulfilled, i have turned my sights on Mo and Bronwyn. Someone has some explaining to do there!) I like when characters from parallel storylines converge, and I have a great appreciation for the way Blackburn weaves in some beloved characters from her other novels to give this one some extra depth. Break My Fall absolutely earns 5 stars, and also a little heart in the margin of my book tracking spreadsheet!

Break My Fall by Lynn H. Blackburn, the second book in the Gossamer Falls series, is available now from your favorite local bookseller or online:

Baker Book House    Christian Book    Amazon     Barnes & Noble    Walmart

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me a copy to read and review. All opinions expressed here are my own and are completely genuine.

Book Review - The Pharisee’s Wife

It is widely accepted that Janette Oke books would be selected by readers based solely on the author’s name. After all, Oke is the origin point for many readers’ passionate journey through inspirational fiction. Her days on my must-read list stem from my early teen years, back when my grandmother purchased her novels via mail order and tried faithfully to keep up with my appetite for her clean and uplifting prose. In that spirit, I pounced on her latest release and savored it from cover to cover.

The Pharisee’s Wife unfolds methodically and in an unhurried pace, as the tale is told of a young girl who is given a high honor she does not want and must make what she will of it. Pulled from her family home and dumped into the home of a Pharisee in training who cares more for adulation than for her, Mary is then left to pick up the pieces and find her way forward when the unthinkable happens. This story of the early church is respectful and introspective. It is not surprising that the author’s note is as impactful as the novel itself. The urgency is not in the storyline, but in a decision each person must make at some point. And the climax of the story, well… Oke writes that (second) best, so you are just going to have to read The Pharisee’s Wife cover to cover to understand.

The Pharisee’s Wife by Janette Oke is available now from your favorite local bookseller or online:

Baker Book House    Christian Book    Amazon     Barnes & Noble    Walmart

Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me a copy to read and review. All opinions expressed here are my own and are completely genuine.