About the Book
Book: The Bookshop of Secrects
Author: Mollie Rushmeyer
Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction (Christian)
Release date: October 25, 2022
A collection of lost books holds the clues to her family’s legacy…and her future.
Hope Sparrow has mastered the art of outrunning her tragic past, learning never to stay anywhere too long and never to allow anyone control over her life again. Coming to Wanishin Falls in search of her family’s history already feels too risky. But somewhere in the towering stacks of this dusty old bookshop are the books that hold Hope’s last ties to her late mother—and to a rumored family treasure that could help her start over.
Only, the bookshop is in shambles, and the elderly owner is in the beginning stages of dementia and can’t remember where the books lie. To find the last links to the loved ones she’s lost, Hope must stay and accept help from the townsfolk to locate the treasured volumes. Each secret she uncovers brings her closer to understanding where she came from. But the longer she stays in the quaint town, the more people find their way into the cracks in her heart. And letting them in may be the greatest risk of all…
Click here to get your copy!
About the Author
Mollie writes contemporary fiction with a heart for history. What does this mean exactly? She loves to write inspirational fiction in contemporary settings with fascinating historical elements, people, objects, and stories woven throughout.
A modern girl herself– She wouldn’t want to go a day without modern plumbing and central air! But she’s always felt a special connection to the past. The legacies and lives left behind are like gifts waiting to be unwrapped, and she’s excited to share this blend of history and contemporary living with readers.
A born and bred Midwestern gal, Mollie Rushmeyer, makes her home in central Minnesota with her husband and two spunky, beautiful daughters. She is not only a bibliophile (the dustier the better, in her opinion), she’s a true anglophile at heart. Tea and coffee fuel her travels, by Google maps at least, and her passion for the written word.
More from Mollie
Since childhood, opening up a book unlocked a whole new world for me. Of possibilities and adventure, and made me care for people and places that didn’t exist. Like stepping through the wardrobe into Narnia, books transported me. It was like magic.
As I began dreaming up The Bookshop of Secrets in its early stages, I knew I wanted to create a character who loved books and was in awe of their transformative and transportive power as much as I am. Thus, Hope Sparrow, a human trafficking survivor and ultimate book lover, was born. I also wanted to honor my grandpa, who planted the seed—love of the written word—in my heart from the time I was very young. And so, Ulysses, the owner of Dusty Jackets Bookshop in the story, is based on my sweet grandpa who has since passed away. But I know he’d love this homage to all things literary.
Afterward, I didn’t know if I’d ever write again and I was more terrified of that than not gaining back the full strength of my left arm.
In the middle of writing this book, in 2018, I had a stroke. As with most medical emergencies, it was quite unexpected. I had a hole in my heart (that has been repaired, thankfully). Afterward, I didn’t know if I’d ever write again and I was more terrified of that than not being able to fully move my left arm again. My brain had to make new connections and it was so difficult, still is some days, to be creative. To find the right words.
But God. In the way that only He can, He brought this forgotten story, this project’s finish line that seemed to be at the summit of an insurmountable mountain within reach. I thought I had something to prove to myself. I begged God not to forget my dream to write. Like He could. But in the end, I just had to trust like my character Hope. Trust that He is good even when life hurts and is uncertain.
“Do you know what the opposite of fear is?”
“Bravery? Peace?” Dare she say her namesake, hope?
“The true counterpart of fear is faith. It takes faith to walk into the future, the unknown, with confidence. Secure in the love of the One who created you and those around you outweighs any hardship, real or imagined, that lies on the path ahead.”
I hope following Hope’s journey of healing and love in The Bookshop of Secrets truly blesses you.
My Thoughts
The Bookshop of Secrets is written by Mollie Rushmeyer. I was super excited when I saw this coming up in Love Inspired Trade upcoming publications. I love that they have expanded stories so that you get to know the characters deeper. Hope Sparrow has had a rough life. She lost her mom at a young age, was wooed away from foster care by a dangerous boyfriend. (Trigger warning - the author does touch base on human trafficking and violence, however the way she presents it is a reminder of God's grace and healing). She never puts down roots and when she feels like someone has figured her out - off she goes again.
Ronan's grandparents own the Dusty Jacket book store. He meets Hope when she is working for his grandparents and trying to find books that her mother entrusted to a friend that have possibly made their way to his grandparent's shop. Hope wants to find these books, learn about her mother, and fufill her dreams of having a mobile bookstore and food truck. All of this without letting people get too close.
Enter the small town of Wanishin, Minnesota. A picture perfect small town where everyone knows everyone and the town holds some secrets too. Ronan's family has had a tarnished name for as long as he can remember. He lost part of his leg in an boating accident but relies heavily on God to get him through. Hope starts to let her guard down when she becomes friends with Ronan and Kat (owner of the diner). Will she be able to disclose who she really is? Will something spook her and run her off?
This was such an amazing story! The author crafted her scenes so well I really felt like I was standing in the middle of Dusty Jackets learning about the classics. I love the faith element that the author has placed in her story - and her characters are so well developed.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, October 27
lakesidelivingsite, October 27
Inklings and notions, October 28
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, October 28
Simple Harvest Reads, October 28 (Guest Review from Mindy Houng)
An Author’s Take, October 29
The Write Escape, October 29
deb’s Book Review, October 29
Texas Book-aholic, October 30
Rebecca Tews, October 30
Blogging With Carol, October 30
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, October 31
Inspired by fiction, October 31
Life of Literature, October 31
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, November 1
Lily’s Book Reviews, November 1
Cover Lover Book Review, November 1
Locks, Hooks and Books, November 2
Losing the Busyness, November 2
For Him and My Family, November 2
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, November 3
Holly’s Book Corner, November 3
Mary Hake, November 3
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, November 4 (Author Interview)
Paula’s Pad of Suspense and Detection, November 4
Blossoms and Blessings, November 4
Sylvan Musings, November 5
Lily’s Book Reviews, November 5
A Modern Day Fairy Tale, November 5
A Reader’s Brain, November 6
Book Looks by Lisa, November 6
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, November 7
Truth and Grace Homeachool Academy, November 7
Story Craft, November 7
Through the fire blogs, November 8
Pause for Tales, November 8
Labor Not in Vain, November 8
Musings of a Sassy Bookish Mama, November 9
To Everything There Is A Season, November 9
Lights in a Dark World, November 9
Giveaway
To celebrate her tour, Mollie is giving away the grand prize package of a eBook or signed paperback copy (paperback U.S. Only) of The Bookshop of Secrets and a $50 Amazon gift card!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
https://promosimple.com/ps/226c7/the-bookshop-of-secrets-celebration-tour-giveaway
