By the Waters of Babylon (The Psalm Series #2) by Mesu Andrews

Title: By the Waters of Babylon (The Psalm Series #2)

Author: Mesu Andrews

Pages: 185

Release Date: August 1, 2018 

Genre: Biblical Era Fiction

Publisher: McPherson Publishing

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

About the book:

     When Babylon destroys Jerusalem, as Yahweh warned through his prophets, the captives’ bitterness and grief pours out in the Captives’ Psalm:

“[By the rivers of Babylon] we sat as exiles, mourning our captivity, and wept with great love for Zion. Our music and mirth were no longer heard, only sadness. We hung up our harps on the willow trees.” (Psalm 137:1-2, The Passion Translation)

     A young Israelite woman is among them, captured by a mercenary Scythian prince. Driven toward Babylon by both hatred and hope, she endures captivity to reunite with her husband.

     But will he be there when she reaches Babylon? Will the prince risk the Scythian throne—and his life—to believe in the Hebrew God? Can they both find what they seek when they meet the prophet Ezekiel . . . by the rivers of Babylon?

My review:

     An incredible fictional story set during bible times!

     Since the story was written just from one of the Psalms, in my mind, it isn’t a Biblical novella. A few key people from the Bible are present though. I really enjoyed how the author took her fictional characters and wove them in with the Biblical characters to craft a cohesive story.

     The development of the main characters is fantastic. The strength that Merry needs to just keep going is amazing. I’m not sure how she did it.

     The amount of detail included in the horror of the siege of Jerusalem was more than I have ever come across. It made me much more aware of the completeness of God’s punishment on His chosen people.

At Your Request (Apart from the Crowd #0.5) by Jen Turano

Title: At Your Request (Apart from the Crowd #0.5)

Author: Jen Turano

Pages: 105

Year: 2017

Genre: Historical Romantic Comedy

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Format: eBook

About the book:

     After Miss Wilhelmina Radcliff’s father lost the family fortune in a poor investment decision, she finds herself banished from the fashionable set within New York society and directly into the wallflower section. Taking on work as a social secretary in order to help with family expenses, she spends her time penning out invitations to all the most sought-after events, wondering if her life will ever improve.

     While languishing one evening at a ball given by one of the esteemed New York patriarchs, Wilhelmina is appalled to discover that Mr. Edgar Wanamaker, her oldest and dearest friend, and the first gentleman to offer her a marriage proposal, has shown up at the ball unexpectedly, having been absent from New York ever since she rejected his offer years before. 

My review:

     A hilarious historical romantic comedy!

     I have to start by mentioning the names of the characters in this charming novella. I got a chuckle out of quite a few of them just by reading them out loud. I know that different names were popular at different times in history, but I think that the author had to have put extra effort into coming up with some very funny combinations.

     The rules that people were expected to follow within society when attending a ball seemed strange to me. I was surprised to find that there were definite class distinctions within the upper class. I didn’t realize that there was a special area for “wallflowers” and that they were supposed to behave differently.

     I thoroughly enjoyed getting to meet Miss Wilhelmina Radcliff and Mr. Edgar Wanamaker. They were well developed and their background as childhood friends was very sweet. I’m very glad that I will have a chance to learn more about the other ladies in the wallflower section in the other books in this series.

     I am definitely giving this delightful story a 5-star rating. I highly recommend it. It would be an excellent choice if you are in the need of cheering up.

Tea Shop Folly (Teacup Courtship Novella) by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Title: Tea Shop Folly (Teacup Courtship Novella)

Author: Carrie Fancett Pagels

Pages: 95

Year: 2016

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: Hearts Overcoming Press

Format: Paperback (also available in eBook)

Note: I received a free copy of this book from the author. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

     Almost destitute, Lilly has run out of hope when she inherits her great-aunt’s home — but it’s not the Tea Shop that a handsome young gentleman thinks it is. Lilly’s inherited house is crammed full of tea cups. Theo, a Soo Locks engineer, visits frequently in the hopes he will find the perfect antique teacup for his mother and is charmed by the lovely ‘Shoppe owner.’ Lilly can’t turn the bachelor away when he persistently peruses her aunt’s collection, which she’s trying to pack up and remove from the house. Is the man only interested in the teacups, or in her? When Theo begins referring people to Lilly, and the genuine Tea Shoppe owner sets the police on Lilly for her lack of a business license, sparks fly!

My review:

     This is a wonderful, sweet historical novella!

     I love the amount of detail that is given developing both Lilly Smith and Theo Reynolds. They are both gentile, caring people. 

     The story that is presented as they begin to get to know each other starts with misconception. It adds a nice bit of confusion and future humor. They each have things about their family that they are slow to reveal. This just fits perfectly with the time period and strangers getting acquainted with each other.

     This charming little novella is getting a rating of 5 stars from me. 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.*

First Light by Erynn Newman

Title: First Light

Author: Erynn Newman

Pages: 45

Year: 2017

Genre: Sweet Romance

Publisher: Amazon Digital

Format: eBook

Note: I received a free copy of this novelette from the author. I have chosen to write this review to express my personal opinion.

About the book:

     Drew and Elisabeth meet as teenagers, and they fall in love. Sounds like a perfect recipe for happily ever after. But when Drew’s father is killed at the Pentagon on September 11th, he finds himself spiraling into an abyss of rage. To avoid dragging the woman he loves down with him, he has to walk away, even if it means losing her forever. He joins the CIA and eventually makes things right with God, but is it too late to make things right with Elisabeth?

     First Light is a series of vignettes set over the course of fifteen years, leading up to the culmination of their story in the full-length romantic suspense novel Out of Darkness. 

My review:

     This sweet romance is a short novelette!

     I love this charming story. Both Drew and Elizabeth are presented in clear detail. It made it extremely easy to connect with them and quickly become involved with their lives. When each of them faced heart breaking circumstances my heart broke for them. I also rejoiced when good things happened.

     One of the things that I really enjoyed in this story is the faith in God that is very clearly shown by a number of the characters. 

     There is a lot of life packed into this very short story. It leads up to Out of the Darkness. It is a wonderful introduction to the characters for that full-length book. I’m really looking forward to reading this longer book.

     This delightful story is getting a 5-star rating from me. 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.*

An Awakened Heart (Orphan Train #0.5) by Jody Hedlund

Title: An Awakened Heart (Orphan Train #0.5)

Author: Jody Hedlund

Pages: 157

Release Date: April 4, 2017

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Format: eBook (available for free in Kindle format)

About the book:

     Trying to heal the ache she feels in her empty life, wealthy Christine Pendleton

Trying to heal the ache she feels in her empty life, wealthy Christine Pendleton decides to volunteer at Centre Street Chapel. Ministering to one of the most deprived parts of New York City, the chapel aims at making a difference in the lives of the impoverished immigrants flooding the city. After seeing firsthand the hopelessness of the poor women and orphans, Christine is convinced more can be done to help them.

     Guy Befell has been serving at the chapel and pouring his heart out for the people he’s grown to care about. When Christine begins to challenge his methods and offers a new vision for reaching out to the community, can he trust that perhaps God has bigger plans in store for him—plans that may include this feisty socialite?

My review:

     This is an incredible historical romance!

     The characters are truly three dimensional in this remarkable beginning of a new series. I love it when a new group of books is introduced in a novella such as this. 

     This wonderful story is set in New York City in 1857. I have read books from this period about the wealthy and those in high society. I have seldom found a book that is focused on the plight of the poorest of immigrants. The picture drawn of how they are trapped within their circumstances without any foreseeable way out is very poignant. My heart broke for what Elise and her sisters were facing. 

     At the same time Christine Pendleton and Reverend Guy Bedell were doing what they could to try and help. I was quickly able to empathize with Christine and the heartache she has experienced as well. I was caught up in longing to see her life improve as well.

     I am looking forward to reading this entire series. I have to give this marvelous novella a rating of 5-stars. I am highly recommending it.