The Chisholm Trail Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #12) by Kathleen Y'Barbo

Title: The Chisholm Trail Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #12)

Author: Kathleen Y’Barbo

Pages: 256

Year: 2020

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:

     Stubborn Hearts Clash on a Cattle Drive

     Eliza Gentry’s pursuit of marriage to the son of her family’s sworn enemy has cost her greatly. Furious at his daughter’s choices, her father send her off with the cattle drive heading toward Fort Worth and the Barnhart ranch, but under the watchful eye of Wyatt Creed, a Pinkerton man he has hired to see to her safety. With danger at every turn—not the least of which to his heart—can Wyatt Creed keep his focus with Eliza Gentry around? Is the Chisholm Trail a place for falling in love or a place to die at the hands of cattle thieves?

     (This synopsis sounds like a totally different story from what the book actually is. I’m only including it because this is what you will find if you look for the book online. The only things the same are that it starts on the Chisholm Trail and the names Eliza Gentry, Wyatt Creed, and the Barnhart family.)

My review:

     I loved this wonderful historical romance novel!

     The three main characters Eliza, Wyatt/John, and Ben are very well developed. I was able to connect with Eliza especially, very quickly. I thoroughly enjoyed the tidbits of star gazing and astronomy that were a thread throughout the book.

     The information about how the members of a cattle drive would work together were wonderful. I enjoyed seeing what both Eliza and Wyatt were assigned to help with. I  liked seeing Cookie’s attitude toward proper manners and requiring them of all of the men.

     The plot of the story was great. I was definitely caught up in it and pushing to see a happy ending for Eliza. She went through some very difficult challenges along the way. I was glad to see each and every person who stepped up to help her get through them.

     I’m giving this fantastic 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 Blizzard Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #11) by Suzanne Dietze

Title: The Blizzard Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #11)

Author: Suzanne Dietze

Pages: 256

Year: 2020

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:

     A blizzard changes everything.

     Abigail Bracey arrives in Nebraska in January 1888 to teach school. . .and to execute a task for the government: to identify a student as the hidden son of a murderous counterfeiter—the man who killed her father.

     Agent Dashiell Lassiter doesn’t want his childhood sweetheart Abby on this dangerous job, especially when he learns the counterfeiter is now searching for his son, too, and he’ll destroy anyone in his way. Now Dash must follow Abby to Nebraska to protect her. . .if she’ll let him within two feet of her. She’s still angry he didn’t fight to marry her six years ago, and he never told her the real reason he left her.

     All Dash wants is to protect Abby, but when a horrifying blizzard sweeps over them, can Abby and Dash set aside the pain from their pasts and work together to catch a counterfeiter and protect his son—if they survive the storm?

My review:

     This is a wonderful historical romance.

     I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know both Abby and Dash. They are wonderful characters with very deep wounds from their pasts. They had difficult journeys to travel emotionally that impacted their ability to process the circumstances that they faced. I loved how Abby had to address the unforgiveness that she had been holding onto. 

     The plot of the story was fantastic. It was very exciting to read how the town of Wells handled the sudden blizzard that blew in. I had heard about the Schoolchildren’s Blizzard before. This story made it seem more real to me.

     I’m giving this excellent story 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 Rebel Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #10) by Shannon McNear

Title: The Rebel Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #10)

Author: Shannon McNear

Pages: 256

Year: 2019

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: Barbour Books

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

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

About the book:

     Can love form amidst tensions of war?

     During the clash between Union and Confederacy, quiet Tennessean Pearl MacFarlane is compelled to use both Rebel and Yankee wounded who seek refuge at her family’s farm. She is determined to remain unmoved by the Yankee cause—until she faces the silent struggle of Union soldier Joshua Wheeler, a recent amputee. 

     The MacFarlane family fits no stereotype Joshua believed in; still he is desperate to regain his footing—as a soldier, as a man, as a Christian—in the aftermath of his debilitating injury. He will use his time behind enemy lines to gather useful intelligence for the Union—if the courageous Rebel woman will stay out of the line of danger.

My review:

     This is a wonderful historical romance!

     The main characters are incredibly well developed. I was enthralled by the depth of the interaction and relationships between people on differing sides of the conflict of The Civil War. There were a lot of details that I hadn’t thought of when I studied this period in school. The heartache and self-questioning was very realistic in this book and made me really think about things I had skimmed over before.

     One of the things that I really enjoyed was seeing how each person was trying to do what they felt God wanted them to. They knew scripture and it was a surprise to many of them to see that those on the other side did too.

     I’m giving this fantastic story 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 Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

The Express Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #9) by Kimberley Woodhouse

Title: The Express Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #9)

Author: Kimberley Woodhouse

Pages: 256

Year:  2019

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:

     The wilderness is a great place to hide.

     Jacqueline Rivers manages a Pony Express station in 1860 Utah territory after her father’s death. There are daily stresses placed on her in this unconventional role—and now a government official is asking her to sniff out counterfeiters. When Elijah Johnson passes through on the stage while on an exhausting quest to find his boss’s heir, he doesn’t want to leave the beguiling station manager. In fact he may never leave when caught in the crossfire of the territory’s criminal activities. Jackie can’t decide if Elijah is friend or foe. Can she remain strong when secrets of the past and present are finally unearthed?

My review:

     This is a wonderful historical romance!

     I absolutely loved Jack Rivers! She has been shaped by the dad who raised her and the life that they have lived running a Pony Express Station and stagecoach stop. She has a firm foundation in Christ and a love for the bible. As her life goes through unexpected changes she finds that she needs every bit of that foundation to help her get through.

     I definitely enjoyed seeing how the relationship between Jack and Elijah grows throughout the book. The mystery that is involved about the counterfeiters is interesting and brings just the right amount of danger into their lives.

     This story has a strong component of the redemption of Christ. This brings up the need to see beyond the past of a person and move into forgiveness. We all know people that have changed drastically and now need these things from us.

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

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've 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 Golden Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #8) by Kimberley Woodhouse

Title: The Golden Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #8)

Author: Kimberley Woodhouse

Pages: 256

Year:  2019

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:

     Can Olivia survive the crime and Gold Rush fever of 1849…and the countless marriage proposals?

     The Daughters of the Mayflower series continues when Olivia Brighton finds herself widowed and working in her brother’s restaurant in San Francisco during the height of the rush for gold. Even though she receives at least twenty marriage proposals a day, she will never marry a gold miner. Her brother’s friend Joseph Sawyer has gotten caught up in local politics and the plight of Chinese in forced labor. The more Joseph gets pulled into investigating crime in the city, the less Olivia sees of the compassionate man. And just when she thinks she could love again, a fire threatens to steal all hope.

My review:

     This is a wonderful historical romance!

     I loved all three of the main characters. As soon as I met Olivia Brighten my heart broke for her and all of the grief that she was carrying. I can’t imagine losing both of my parents at the same time. That fact that she carried on and dealt with the trip to San Francisco to join her brother Daniel was amazing. She definitely needed time to heal from all of the loss.

     One of the things that I really liked about Joseph Sawyer was that he was willing to take things slowly and build a friendship with Olivia. I also enjoyed the strong emphasis on prayer and trusting God that was displayed by Joseph, Daniel, and Olivia throughout the story.

     The historical content was great. I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area but most of what I learned about the Gold Rush in school has been lost over the years. It was nice to get a look at the attitudes of the men in San Francisco at this time through the eyes of a god-fearing woman. 

     I am giving this fantastic 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/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've 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 Alamo Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #7) by Kathleen Y'Barbo

Title: The Alamo Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #7)

Author: Kathleen Y'Barbo

Pages: 256

Year: 2019

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:

Will Ellis Lose All at the Alamo?

     Ellis Dumont finds a man in New Orleans Gray unconscious on Dumont property in 1836. As his fevers rage, the man mutters strange things about treasures and war. Either Claiborne Gentry has lost his mind or he’s a spy for the American president—or worse, for the Mexican enemy that threatens their very lives. With the men of her family away, Ellis must stand courageous and decide who she can trust. Will she put her selfish wants ahead of the future of the republic or travel with Clay to Mission San Jose to help end the war?

My review:

     This is a captivating historical romance!

     I love both of the main characters in this book. Ellis fascinated me. She had been trained by her mother as a healer. She was strong and resilient. She was willing to help anyone in need whether they were friend or foe. Clay Gentry is a little more difficult to understand since he has lost his memory. He doesn’t even understand himself and because of that I kept wanting to see him remember and stand up for what was right.

     I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that one of the things that connected Ellis and Clay was the fact that they had memorized the same verse of scripture. Many times throughout the book this verse came up and it helped them both stay focused on God and His care for them.

     I was totally caught up in this story. I have to give it a rating of 5 stars. I’m highly recommending it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've 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 Liberty Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #6) by MaryLu Tyndall

Title: The Liberty Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #6)

Author: MaryLu Tyndall

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:

     Lieutenant Owen Masters and Emeline Baratt meet on a British warship as sworn enemies. Where will Emeline place her loyalties when forced to spy against her country?

     War Forces a Choice Between Love and Country

    A trip home from England to Maryland in 1812 finds Emeline Baratt a captive on a British warship and forced to declare her allegiance between the British and Americans. Remaining somewhat politically neutral on a ship where her nursing skills are desperately needed is fairly easy—until she starts to have feelings for the first lieutenant who becomes her protector. However, when the captain sends her and Lieutenant Owen Masters on land to spy, she must choose between her love for him or her love for her country.

My review:

     This is an incredible historical romance!

     I love both Owen and Emeline. They are very well developed. They both have very painful memories of their fathers. These have formed their view of God. 

     Throughout this book they each have strong believers that are doing all they can to help them learn to trust God and rely on Him. I loved their separate journeys and how they intersect at various times.

     This author has a marvelous talent for writing pirate and privateer stories. This book doesn’t disappoint in this aspect. She has included plenty of action to keep the excitement level up. Her description of sailing vessels and all things involved in sailing in the early 1800s is fantastic.

     I loved this story and have decided to give it a rating of 5 stars. I am highly recommending it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've 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 Cumberland Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #5) by Shannon McNear

Title: The Cumberland Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #5)

Author: Shannon McNear

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. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

About the book:

     Thomas Bledsoe and Kate Gruener are traveling the Wilderness Road when conflicts between natives and settlers reach a peak that will require each of them to tap into a well of courage.

     In 1794, when Kate Gruener’s father is ready to move the family farther west into the wilderness to farm untouched land, Kate is eager to live out her own story of adventure like he did during the War for Independence and see untamed lands. And she sets her sights on learning more about their scout, Thomas Bledsoe. Thomas’s job is to get settlers safely across the Kentucky Wilderness Road to their destination while keeping an ear open for news of Shawnee unrest. But naive Kate’s inquisitive nature could put them both in the middle of a rising tide of conflict. Is there more to Thomas’s story than he is willing to tell? Is there an untapped courage in Kate that can thwart a coming disaster?

My review:

     I was captivated by this wonderful historical romance!

     The development of the characters was incredible. I felt an almost immediate connection with Kate as the book started off with her sneaking away to do something she had been told was a waste of time. She was writing down stories she had been told. I have always loved to “waste” time in reading.

     Thomas was torn between two lifestyles and two families. This really captured my interest and held it as he was trying to figure out where he fit in. It can be a very difficult journey to take for many different reasons.

     I loved all of the details given for how life was lived on the frontier in the 1790s. It was very interesting to read about the conflict between the Shawnee Indians and the settlers. 

     I am giving this fantastic 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/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've 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 Patriot Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #4) by Kimberley Woodhouse

Title: The Patriot Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #4)

Author: Kimberley Woodhouse

Pages: 256

Year: 2018

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: Barbour Publishing

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

     Spies work together for the Patriot cause!

     Faith Jackson is a wealthy widow, friend of George Washington, and staunch supporter of the Patriot cause. Matthew Weber is friends with both Ben Franklin and his son Willian, who increasingly differ in their political views; and Matthew finds himself privy to information on both sides of the conflict. When a message needs to get to a spy among the Loyalists, Faith bravely steps up and in turn meets Matthew Weber. Suddenly she believes she could love again. But someone else has his eye on the Faith she portrays in elite social circles. What will Matthew and Faith have to sacrifice for the sake of their fledgling country?

My review:

     This is a remarkable historical romance!

     I love both of the main characters. Faith is an incredibly strong woman. She has learned how to survive without a man in charge of her household because of her strength. She knows how to lead and she expects those around her to follow her instructions. She helps immensely in the difficult situations that she faces during the beginning of the war.

     Matthew is everything you can ask for in a hero in a book. He is strong, handsome, and very dedicated to his beliefs and doing all that he can to support the cause. Throw in there the fact that he is always willing to protect Faith is just perfect.

     The storyline is captivating. I was drawn into it and anxious to find out how things turn out for Faith and Matthew. It was a nice fictional story built into the history of the Revolutionary War. Seeing George Washington and Benjamin Franklin brought into the story and interacting with Faith and Matthew was wonderful.

     I thoroughly enjoyed reading the author’s note at the end of the book to see what she had to say about the use of actual historical characters in her book. It was great to read her thoughts and see a glimpse into how she views history.

     I find myself compelled to give this fantastic book a rating of 5 stars. I’m highly recommending it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've 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 Captured Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #3) by Michelle Griep

Title: The Captured Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #3)

Author: Michelle Griep

Pages: 256

Release Date: June 1, 2018

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: Barbour Books

Format: eBook (also available in Paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

     A War-Torn Countryside Is No Place For A Lady

     Mercy Lytton is a lady like none other. Raised amongst the Mohawks, she straddles two cultures, yet each are united in one cause. . .to defeat the French. Born with a rare gift of unusually keen eyesight, she is chosen as a scout to accompany a team of men on a dangerous mission. Yet it is not her life that is threatened. It is her heart. Condemned as a traitor, Elias Dubois faces the gallows. At the last minute, he is offered his freedom if he consents to accompany a stolen shipment of French gold to a nearby fort—but he is the only they stole it from in the first place. It turns out that the real thief is the beguiling woman, Mercy Lytton, for she steals his every waking thought. Can love survive divided loyalties in a backcountry wilderness?

My review:

     This is a fantastic historical romance!

     The characters are incredibly well developed and easy to connect with. This is true of many of them, not just the two main ones. Both Mercy and Elias has deep seated wounds from their pasts. They were shaped by things they were told by family members raising them, just as we all are. The journeys there are on are shaped by those wounds and will hopefully bring them healing.

     The action and adventure is fabulous. They face many dangers that require them to work together to survive. At first they are so at odds with each other that their ability to do so is really in question. They discover strengths and weaknesses that they didn’t know they had. There are also strong believers in God that are working with them. They step up and and help point them to Him.

     I am giving this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars and highly recommending it.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've 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 Pirate Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #2) by Kathleen Y'Barbo

Title: The Pirate Bride (Daughters of the Mayflower #2)

Author: Kathleen Y’Barbo

Pages: 251

Release Date: April 1, 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 have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

     A former privateer and a desperate heiress join forces to find a treasure.

     Jump on board with a brand new series for fans of all things related to history, romance, adventure, faith, and family trees.

     Pasts collide in New Orleans when a treasure goes missing.

     The last time New Orleans attorney Jean-Luc Valmont saw Maribel Cordoba, a Spanish nobleman’s daughter, she was an eleven-year-old orphan perched in the riggings of his privateering vessel proving herself as the best lookout on his crew. Until the day his infamy caught up with them all and innocent lives were lost. Unsure why he survived but vowing to make something of the chance he was given, Jean-Luc has buried his past life so deep that no living person will ever find it—until a very much alive and very grown up Maribel Cordoba arrives on his doorstep and threatens all he now holds dear.

My review:

     This is an exciting historical romance!

     I adore Maribel! She is delightful and so fun to keep up with. As a bookworm myself I immediately connected with her love of reading.

     Jean-Luc seems to be hiding something from the very beginning. It was quite entertaining to follow through the story and figure out what it was and all the twists to this wonderful character.

     This book is packed with a lot of action and adventure. I wasn’t at all surprised by that though given the title. Then there were a few really great surprises that caught me completely off guard. It was fun learning what the difference was between pirates and privateers.

     I absolutely loved this second installment in the series. I have to give it a 5 star rating. I am definitely highly recommending it. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens the next time I look in on the Lytton family descendants.

Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've 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.*