Book Review of 'Like Honey for the Bones' by Brandy Heineman

Happy Monday Bookworms!

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Mine was filled with celebrating my baby boy who turned 17 last week, so my heart is full, and I am happy and blessed. This week is going to be filled with some wonderful novels, and I am kicking it all off with a novel that is celebrating it's book birthday today!!

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Like Honey for the Bones by Brandy Heineman, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Like Honey for the Bones
Author: Brandy Heineman
Publisher: Independently Published
Release Date: July 24, 2023
Genre: Christian Split-time Romantic Mystery

TWO HEARTS BROKEN ALONG THE SAME JAGGED EDGE MAKE A GRISLY DISCOVERY DEEP IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY

Present Day. Solveig Borja fled Virginia to escape the guilt of one reckless night, and once she settles the family estate, she’s Norway-bound and never looking back. Meanwhile, Kyle Benton has come seeking asylum from past sins—which Solveig shatters even as their hopeless romance blooms. But when they discover a skeleton at Rice Caverns, its century-old mystery holds startling links to the here-and-now.

1919. The Great War is won. Gussie Rice longs for her beau's return from France, until she learns he’s confined at a stateside hospital and her closest confidant is part of the secret. Her bid for love sparks a confrontation that ricochets through time...

Bad blood and escalating threats swirl around Solveig, and Kyle’s new life proves no haven from the old with his brother's killer trolling the shadows. As the past rears up, the cavern’s hidden places beckon with power to light their hope or to swallow them in utter darkness.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BookBub

My Review

It’s been awhile since I’ve read a novel that has completely consumed my thoughts and imagination but that’s exactly what Like Honey for the Bones did for me.

There is a strange vibe and a somber mood from the very beginning that shadows the narrative in its weight, yet as you delve deeper into the story you begin to feel a sense of hope, like a sunrise slowly peeking over the horizon, shining light on the darkness. Then you are hit with a mystery that transports you back in time to another dark era and a whole other cast of characters that are dealing with their own issues. There is a lot going on, with Solveig, in present time, trying to clear out her grandfathers house and get it ready to sell, paired with a mystery that takes the reader to 1919, where Gussie is awaiting the arrival of her sweetheart after the war has ended. The overall mystery of why these two seemingly differing stories connect, as well as other subplots, is what made this novel incredibly hard to put down and is a breathtaking feat that shows the talent of the author masterfully.

The relationship between Kyle and Solveig is poetic at its core. How they are able to see one another, and to be their authentic selves without judgement, is something I always love seeing in stories like this. The spark between them is intriguing and watching their relationship evolve is so beautiful. The same goes for the past timeline with lifelong friends Gussie and Harvey. Though they are just friends it’s obvious that the feelings go deeper, even if those feelings aren’t necessarily known, and seeing their interactions were some of my favorite scenes in the book as Henry is truly the knight in shining armor just being himself.

In the beginning the dual timelines threw me a bit, but once I began to realize the connections between present and past it all became clear, and my excitement for the story grew exponentially. The guilt of past choices that were life altering is something all of the main characters carry in their own unique ways, so the burden of unforgiveness of self is prevalent in this novel. The overall story lines for both timelines are alluring in their own right, as is the writing and overall mood. This is the first novel I’ve read by this author and I am blown away with how much depth there is to the characters and plot.

I fell in love with Like Honey for the Bones and though it wasn’t a quick read for me it was one that I could pick up time and again and instantly be back in this moody world where mysteries are slowly revealed and forgiveness and true love is found in friendship and support during dark times.

My Rating: ★★★★★

About the Author

Brandy Heineman is a book hoarder, cat herder, and Christian author of dual timeline novels. Antique shops and digital newspaper archives top her list of happy places, and she fuels her day job in marketing and life as a novelist with endless cups of tea. Brandy has served as president of the North Georgia chapter of ACFW and lives in Metro Atlanta with her husband, Michael.

Connect with Brandy by visiting brandyheineman.com to follow her on social media and sign up for email updates.

Tour Giveaway

(3) winners will win a signed, print copy of Like Honey for the Bones and $25 VISA gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 24, 2023 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 31, 2023. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!