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Cottage City Chronicles #1
Adelaide's Song
He is the proud son of a wealthy industrialist. She is the devout daughter of a respected minister. When their paths cross and sparks fly, will they be able to find common ground?William Hanson is not a happy man. Forced to spend the summer at a religious retreat, he is anything but pleased with the direction his life has taken. He is a man of strong ideals, but expressing his views has gotten him into trouble one time too many.Adelaide Holbrook is content with her simple life. She is known for her beautiful singing, her generous spirit, and her position as the daughter of a well-respected minister in the community. She has been looking forward to spending the summer at Cottage City on the beautiful island of Martha’s Vineyard. The village of pristine little seaside cottages and sparkling blue waters is the perfect setting for something special to happen. Still, when she meets William, she is not expecting the strong emotions he evokes in her.He’s a man at a crossroads, forced to make a choice. She’s a woman newly awakened to the possibilities of love. Will the two find a way to bridge the gap between them? Don’t miss this captivating inspirational Christian historical romance set in the Victorian era!What readers are "Beautifully written period-piece with descriptive writing so elegant you can taste the salt in the air as you read. Truly looking forward to Ms. Miller’s next installment!”"Characters are well developed and story line is captivating from the first page. I have never been to Martha's Vineyard, yet I feel like I have - and I am - in the pages of Adelaide's Song. This is a book you will want to have on your shelf.”“Adelaide's Song is sweet and clear, just like its namesake. I spending some time in the days when my great-grandparents were meeting and falling in love; that the younger generation, while not agreeing with the actions and ideas of the older generation, still demonstrated their character by obeying their wishes; that the problems were not whitewashed or simplified for resolution's sake; and of course, spending time in the salty air and sand of the beach. I recommend this lovely story of love and conviction.”
- GenresRomance
301 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2018
55 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 4, 2018
This was a fabulous story - the setting draws you in to where you almost feel like you are walking alongside each character. Miller wove the story of the families and the couple together beautifully. I love how it is set in a historic location, with great detail about that time period. The beliefs and decisions made by each character were so well fitting. I couldn't wait to finish it! I cannot wait to read book 2!
May 7, 2018
A Beautiful Story of Love and Forgiveness
A beautifully written story with a charming setting and interesting characters. Perfect for reading at the beach this summer. An uncomplicated quick read.
A beautifully written story with a charming setting and interesting characters. Perfect for reading at the beach this summer. An uncomplicated quick read.
May 7, 2018
A story of love and forgiveness!
This is a well-written, beautiful story of love, spiritual growth, and forgiveness. The characters are well-developed and the plot moves along with anticipation and expectation. Great read!
This is a well-written, beautiful story of love, spiritual growth, and forgiveness. The characters are well-developed and the plot moves along with anticipation and expectation. Great read!
May 11, 2018
PG
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0z5X4...
After learning the title of Kimberly Miller’s new self-published book, this song got stuck in my head during the entire time I read it.
I got Adelaide’s Song off of Kindle plus for free in exchange for an honest review. For starters, this book is a Christian romance/historical fiction novel. I’m not a huge fan of any romance novel, Christian or non-Christian, especially when the main focus is on the couple and not so much on anything else that’s going on in the story. Historical fiction, on the other hand, often sways me to take a chance.
Adelaide’s Song takes place mostly on Martha’s Vineyard during the year 1875. Adelaide, a minister’s daughter, arrives by boat with her Reverend father, mother and sickly sister, Hannah, to spend the summer, where her father will hold revival meetings for the seasonal visitors.
Enter the love interest, William, who is being forced to go to Martha’s Vineyard by his father, pretty much against William’s will. His path crosses Adelaide’s, they fall in love, and… Well, it wouldn’t be any good if there wasn’t some sort of conflict or challenge for the star crossed lovers to face. William’s father’s friends, with whom William accompanies to the island, give their nay say about Adelaide. And when William meets Adelaide’s dad, LOOK OUT! Sparks really fly. Toss in a few curve balls with the sickly sister, and the testing of the lovers’ true love builds some frustration to make the reader want to find out what will happen next or, ask the question, what will they do now?
What I liked: The historical aspect of the story. William’s back story, the conflict he has with his father, owner of the railroad, was of special interest to me. Honestly, I would have liked to see more of William’s story acted out more. Unfortunately, like most romance novels, a lot of info dump was done on the man’s role, since the story is supposed to start closer to when the couple meet (that seems to be the rule of most romance novels, I guess, so the savvy romance reader can skip past all the back story details and get to the “juicy” parts of the romance aspect.)
I liked Adelaide’s character and how much she cared for her sickly sister, Hannah. And how respectful and loving she was to her family, appreciating her protected position and not taking it for granted. Not a hint of rebellion. There’s something you don’t see often.
However, I know that many readers will take issue with how good Adelaide is. She’s almost too perfect. In fact, there’s only one time she actually disobeys her father (inhale in shock!) I won’t give away any more spoilers there.
What I didn’t like: Too much telling, not enough showing. Ms. Miller has great potential as a writer and I know she has great challenges that take away her time to hone in on the craft, but, truthfully, telling is just lazy writing. I’m guilty of it too, and so are a lot of published authors out there (to their shame), and many might say, “so what?” I only complain about it because telling often causes my eyes to glaze over and I end up skimming a lot, searching for the showing parts. Much of the telling sessions were repetitive too, as if to fill up space. Much of them were Adelaide’s observations of William’s passion about justice and some other politics of the time, and of course, William’s handsomeness and beautiful blue eyes. Then, more telling sessions of William’s observations of Adelaide’s sweet innocence and, of course, her beautiful green eyes and all around beauty outside as well as inside. (BTW- green eyes? Again? I don’t know how many romance novels I’ve read where the heroine has green eyes, but, from the number of them, one would think that green eyes are not so rare.) The book has a few showing moments which would jar me out of my slumber during the telling sessions, but they’re few and far between.
So, without giving away the ending, I can say it was satisfying enough.
On a positive note, like I said, the book had its moments that made me sit up in my chair. For all you Christian romance readers out there, I think you would enjoy this book. Remember, you can’t always go by my opinion since, personally, the romance genre doesn’t interest me as much. So give this book a chance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0z5X4...
After learning the title of Kimberly Miller’s new self-published book, this song got stuck in my head during the entire time I read it.
I got Adelaide’s Song off of Kindle plus for free in exchange for an honest review. For starters, this book is a Christian romance/historical fiction novel. I’m not a huge fan of any romance novel, Christian or non-Christian, especially when the main focus is on the couple and not so much on anything else that’s going on in the story. Historical fiction, on the other hand, often sways me to take a chance.
Adelaide’s Song takes place mostly on Martha’s Vineyard during the year 1875. Adelaide, a minister’s daughter, arrives by boat with her Reverend father, mother and sickly sister, Hannah, to spend the summer, where her father will hold revival meetings for the seasonal visitors.
Enter the love interest, William, who is being forced to go to Martha’s Vineyard by his father, pretty much against William’s will. His path crosses Adelaide’s, they fall in love, and… Well, it wouldn’t be any good if there wasn’t some sort of conflict or challenge for the star crossed lovers to face. William’s father’s friends, with whom William accompanies to the island, give their nay say about Adelaide. And when William meets Adelaide’s dad, LOOK OUT! Sparks really fly. Toss in a few curve balls with the sickly sister, and the testing of the lovers’ true love builds some frustration to make the reader want to find out what will happen next or, ask the question, what will they do now?
What I liked: The historical aspect of the story. William’s back story, the conflict he has with his father, owner of the railroad, was of special interest to me. Honestly, I would have liked to see more of William’s story acted out more. Unfortunately, like most romance novels, a lot of info dump was done on the man’s role, since the story is supposed to start closer to when the couple meet (that seems to be the rule of most romance novels, I guess, so the savvy romance reader can skip past all the back story details and get to the “juicy” parts of the romance aspect.)
I liked Adelaide’s character and how much she cared for her sickly sister, Hannah. And how respectful and loving she was to her family, appreciating her protected position and not taking it for granted. Not a hint of rebellion. There’s something you don’t see often.
However, I know that many readers will take issue with how good Adelaide is. She’s almost too perfect. In fact, there’s only one time she actually disobeys her father (inhale in shock!) I won’t give away any more spoilers there.
What I didn’t like: Too much telling, not enough showing. Ms. Miller has great potential as a writer and I know she has great challenges that take away her time to hone in on the craft, but, truthfully, telling is just lazy writing. I’m guilty of it too, and so are a lot of published authors out there (to their shame), and many might say, “so what?” I only complain about it because telling often causes my eyes to glaze over and I end up skimming a lot, searching for the showing parts. Much of the telling sessions were repetitive too, as if to fill up space. Much of them were Adelaide’s observations of William’s passion about justice and some other politics of the time, and of course, William’s handsomeness and beautiful blue eyes. Then, more telling sessions of William’s observations of Adelaide’s sweet innocence and, of course, her beautiful green eyes and all around beauty outside as well as inside. (BTW- green eyes? Again? I don’t know how many romance novels I’ve read where the heroine has green eyes, but, from the number of them, one would think that green eyes are not so rare.) The book has a few showing moments which would jar me out of my slumber during the telling sessions, but they’re few and far between.
So, without giving away the ending, I can say it was satisfying enough.
On a positive note, like I said, the book had its moments that made me sit up in my chair. For all you Christian romance readers out there, I think you would enjoy this book. Remember, you can’t always go by my opinion since, personally, the romance genre doesn’t interest me as much. So give this book a chance.
March 14, 2022
Just loved Adelaides’s Song
reading this made me want so see what is left of Cottage City. This is a Christian love story. The characters are so real.You can understand their personalities so well. This author has a talent for characterization. A very real life inspiring sweet story.
reading this made me want so see what is left of Cottage City. This is a Christian love story. The characters are so real.You can understand their personalities so well. This author has a talent for characterization. A very real life inspiring sweet story.
August 14, 2021
This was such a sweet Christian historical romance - really pleased that such books are still being written! The sparks, the struggles and forgiveness are worth the read - would love to read more of these!
January 22, 2022
persistent love
Reverend Holbrook and William learned important lessons. They both needed to humble themselves and also to forgive. What challenging lessons are in this book! Now I can read Hannah’s story!
Reverend Holbrook and William learned important lessons. They both needed to humble themselves and also to forgive. What challenging lessons are in this book! Now I can read Hannah’s story!
May 29, 2018
I really enjoyed this book, and look forward to the next book in the series once it's released.
June 6, 2018
So warm and pure
Haven't read a nice, pure romance in a longtime. I really enjoy this sweet story. This book feels strangely nostalgic to me. It warms my heart!
Haven't read a nice, pure romance in a longtime. I really enjoy this sweet story. This book feels strangely nostalgic to me. It warms my heart!
July 19, 2019
An enjoyable read but didn't keep my attention. Liked it enough to want to try 2nd book in series. I just prefer more twists and turns. This was a bit predictable for me. Personal preference.
September 30, 2020
Fantastic Book! Loved It!!
September 24, 2021
Greatbok
This book is at in the 1800s. I enjoyed the proper customs of those days . It brings up frustrating subjects that are still in our generation a serious issue.
This book is at in the 1800s. I enjoyed the proper customs of those days . It brings up frustrating subjects that are still in our generation a serious issue.
February 23, 2021
Great book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews