12 Brides of Summer Novella Collection #3 by Margaret Brownley / Miralee Ferrell / Pam Hillman

Title: 12 Brides of Summer Novella Collection #3

Authors: Margaret Brownley / Miralee Ferrell / Pam Hillman

Pages: 154

Year: 2015

Genre: Historical Romance Novellas

Publisher: Shiloh Run Press

Format: eBook (now only available in a single paperback with the other 3 collections)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     Love is buzzing in the Good Old Summertime! Spend the sunny days of summer relaxing with an ice cold glass of lemonade and revel in the dreams of twelve brides who are a bit surprised by how the men of their dreams come into their lives. Journey to the Old West, stay on the prairie, and visit quaint small towns. . .without leaving the comfort of your own front porch!

     The dog days of summer are here, but love is still in full bloom with Novella Collection #3:

Dog Days of Summer Bride by Margaret Brownley

     Music teacher Marilee Davis and blacksmith Jed Colbert don’t realize they’ve been sharing the same dog until. . .it digs up a stash of stolen loot. The reward will go to the dog’s owner—if only that can be decided.

The Dogwood Blossom Bride by Miralee Ferrell

     Gracie Addison is a tree-climbing tomboy, and practical Will Montgomery objects to her unladylike influence on his niece. Will his judgmental attitude come back to bite him?

The Lumberjack’s Bride by Pam Hillman

     Chicago transplant, Lucy Denson cooks for a logging crew in the Mississippi backwoods until she can return to her idea of civilization. Can Eli Everett help her rethink her ideals?

My review:

     These three novellas are wonderful historical romances.

     I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each of the main characters in these stories. It was a lot of fun seeing what the different plots for the romances are. Each author came up with a very different storyline for their couple.

The Dog Days of Summer Bride by Margaret Brownley

I loved seeing how both Marilee and Jed were willing to make changes in their own routine to figure out how to develop a relationship with each other.

The Dogwood Blossom Bride by Miralee Ferrell

We can all learn a lesson about trusting God with our loved ones from this great story.

The Lumberjack’s Bride by Pam Hillman

It’s great seeing how people can learn about what is truly important to them when they are faced with difficult decisions.

     This novella collection can’t be purchased as an eBook any more. There were originally four of these collections in total. It is possible to locate the set of all 12 Brides of Summer novellas in one paperback book to purchase used. They are a fun way to spend a few hours. I’m giving this individual collection a rating of 5 stars.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Kings Falling (The Book of the Wars #2) by Ronie Kendig

Title: Kings Falling (The Book of the Wars #2)

Author: Ronie Kendig

Pages: 400

Year: 2020

Genre: Action-Adventure / Military Thriller

Publisher: Bethany House

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     Leif Metcalfe and his team, dubbed Reaper, need to recover the stolen, ancient Book of the Wars if they hope to stop the Armageddon Coalition and their pursuit of global economic control. But their attention has been diverted by a prophecy in the book that foretells of formidable guardians who will decimate the enemies of ArC. While Iskra Todorova uses her connections in the covert underworld to hunt down the Book of the Wars, Leif and Reaper attempt to neutralize these agents but quickly find themselves outmaneuvered and outgunned.

     The more Reaper tries to stop the guardians, the more failure becomes a familiar, antagonistic foe. Friendships are fractured, and the team battles to hold it together long enough to defeat ArC. But as this millennia-old conspiracy creeps closer and closer to home, the implications could tear Leif and the team apart.

My review:

     This is an incredible action-adventure/military thriller novel!

     This is part of a true series. You should read book one before this story. 

     This book has a huge cast of characters. I kept a list beside me to help me keep track of all of them. There is a wonderful team of special ops specialists. Each one had their own speciality and it was great seeing how they all worked together. Their interactions with each other between ops that they were sent out on was a lot of fun to see.

     The plot of this book had so many twists and turns in it that I had to work to keep all of the details straight in my mind. There were many times that something that had come out earlier showed up again and in its second, or third, appearance suddenly was a very key factor in what was happening. This was definitely not a book to just sit back and relax while I was reading it. It was fun to actually have to work to follow the action.

     I’m giving this marvelous book a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

My Heart Belongs in Glenwood Springs, Colorado: Millie's Resolve by Rebecca Jepson

Title: My Heart Belongs in Glenwood Springs, Colorado: Millie’s Resolve

Author: Rebecca Jepson

Pages: 256

Year: 2018

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: Barbour Books

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     Journey now to the healing spa town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado in 1885 where the past and present collide and a woman is on the precipice of unexpected love.

     Millie Cooper, fisherman’s-daughter-turned-nurse, flees a painful entanglement with the wealthy Drexel family who summered near her childhood home in Nantucket, only to encounter them again six years later in Glenwood Springs. The serenity of Millie Cooper’s mountain hideaway in a town with healing springs is disrupted when she faces caring for the elderly mother and the expectant wife of Stephen Drexel the man she’d once love—at the request of John Drexel, the man who’d kept them apart.

     Will Millie forgive the wrongs she feels were done to her, or will she come to see them as a blessing in disguise that lead her to greater joys?

My review:

     This is a wonderful historical romance.

     The main characters: Millie, John, Katherine, and Stephen are all very well developed. There is a lot of variety in their personalities and traits that come through very clearly over the course of this story. I enjoyed seeing how they interacted with each other and how their relationships changed as the story progressed.

     The plot of this book was great. It kept my interest though at a few times I felt frustrated with the characters and wished they would just be honest with each other so that things could move along a little quicker.

     I’m giving this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars. I definitely recommend it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Drawn by the Current (The Windy City Saga #3) by Jocelyn Green

Title: Drawn by the Current (The Windy City Saga #3)

Author: Jocelyn Green

Pages: 384

Release Date: February 1, 2022

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: Bethan House

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     Lives depend on the truth she uncovers. She can’t give up her search.

     A birthday excursion turns deadly when the SS Eastland capsizes with Olive Pierce and her best friend on board. Hundreds perish during the accident, and it’s only when Olive herself barely escapes that she discovers her friend is among the victims.

     In the aftermath of the tragedy, Olive returns to her work at a Chicago insurance agency and is immersed in the countless investigations related to the accident. But with so many missing, there are few open-and-shut cases, and she tries to balance her grief with the hard work of finding the truth.

     While someone sabotages her progress, Olive accepts the help of newspaper photographer Erik Magnussen. As they unravel secrets, the truths they discover impact those closest to Olive. How long will the disaster haunt her—and how can she help the others find the peace they deserve?

My review:

     This is an incredible historical novel!

     I was horrified by the story of the SS Eastland. I had never even heard of this disaster. After getting through the tragedy itself I had to look it up online to learn more. I’m always amazed when I learn about historical events by reading fictional books. The author has done a fantastic job of making things come alive. The descriptions and details she includes painted a very clear picture in my mind.

     I love Olive, Claire, Erik, and all of Olive’s family. It was wonderful to see the growth and maturing of the three main characters as the story progressed. They each learned some very valuable lessons about life as they navigated the aftermath of the disaster.

     I’m giving this marvelous book a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Shadows of the White City (The Windy City Saga #2) by Jocelyn Green

Title: Shadows of the White City (The Windy City Saga #2)

Author: Jocelyn Green

Pages: 384

Year: 2021

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: Bethany House

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     The one things Sylvie Townsend wants most is what she feared she was destined never to have-a family of her own. But taking in Polish immigrant Rose Dabrowski to raise and love quells those fears—until seventeen-year-old Rose goes missing at the World’s Fair, and Sylvie’s world unravels.

     Brushed off by the authorities, Sylvie turns to her boarder, Kristof Bartok, for help. He is Rose’s violin instructor and the concertmaster for the Columbian Exposition Orchestra, and his language skills are vital to helping Sylvie navigate the immigrant communities where their search leads.

     From the glittering architecture of the fair to the dark houses of Chicago’s poorest neighborhoods, they’re taken on a search that points to Rose’s long-lost family. Is Sylvie willing to let the girl go? And as Kristof and Sylvie grow closer, can she reconcile her craving for control with her yearning to belong?

My review:

     This is an absolutely incredible historical novel!

     This book is filled with tons of details about the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair! I was captivated with all of the details and descriptions that are included in the story. It was brilliant to have Sylvie be one of the tour guides for the fair. It created a very natural way to take the readers through the fair grounds.

     The plot of the story was very well crafted. I was caught up in the emotions that Sylvie and Kristof, along with Rose and the entire cast of characters were dealing with. There is a very thought provoking exploration of what love really looks like. Many of the characters had to take journeys in this book to figure it out in their own lives and in their relationships.

     I’m giving this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

The Prince and the Prodigal by Jill Eileen Smith

Title: The Prince and the Prodigal

Author: Jill Eileen Smith

Pages: 384

Release Date: February 1, 2022

Genre: Biblical Fiction

Publisher: Revell

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     Joseph is the pampered favorite son of the patriarch Jacob. His older brothers, deeply resentful of his status in the family, take advantage of the chance to get rid of him, selling him to slave traders and deceiving their father about his fate. It seems like their troubles are over. But for Joseph and older brother Judah, they are just beginning.

     While Joseph is accused of rape and imprisoned, Judah attempts to flee the memory of his complicity in the betrayal of his younger brother. After decades apart, the brothers will come face-to-face in a stunning role reversal that sees Joseph in a position of great power while Judah begs for mercy. Will forgiveness or vengeance win the day?

     Bestselling and award-winning author Jill Eileen Smith brings her considerable research and imaginative skills to bear in this vivid retelling of one of the most popular stories found in Scripture—a story of jealousy, betrayal, and a reconciliation that only God could bring about.

My review:

     This is an amazing Biblical novel!

     I have read the book of Genesis multiple times. The story of Joseph and his brothers is a fairly large part of the book. At the same time there are a number of details that aren’t given in the bible. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this fictional account of their lives. The author has done an incredible job of filling in details of what everyday life would have been like for Jacob’s large family as well as Joseph’s life in Egypt.

     After the point that Dinah was raped by Shechem she really isn’t mentioned in the bible. My heart went out to her and what her life would have been like after Levi and Simeon killed all of the men in the city of Shechem. This book does show her as having a fulfilling place in the family.

     I’m giving this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention or review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I have done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*