A Viscount's Proposal (The Regency Spies of London #2) by Melanie Dickerson

 

Title: A Viscount’s Proposal (The Regency Spies of London #1)

Author: Melanie Dickerson

Narrator: Anna Parker-Naples

Pages: 288

Length: 8 hours, 25 minutes

Year: 2017

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: Waterfall Press (print & eBook)

      Brilliance Audio (audiobook)

Format: Audiobook (also available in eBook and paperback)

About the book:

     Leorah Langdon has no patience for Regency society’s shallow hypocrisy and unnecessary rules, especially for women. She’s determined to defy convention by marrying for grand passion instead of settling for a loveless union like her parents—or wedding a stuffy, pompous gentleman like Edward, the Viscount Withinghall. But when a chance meeting in the countryside leads to Leorah and Withinghall being discovered in his overturned carriage—alone and after dark—the ensuing gossip may force them together.

     Withinghall has his reasons for clinging to propriety; his father perished in a duel with his mistress’s husband, and Edward must avoid scandal himself if he wants to become prime minister. He certainly has no time for a reckless hoyden like Miss Langdon. But soon the two discover that Withinghall’s coach “accident” was no such thing: the vehicle was sabotaged.

     Can the culprit be brought to justice? Strong-willed Leorah and duty-driven Withinghall will have to work together if they have any hope of saving her reputation, his political career—and his life.

My review:

     This is a fantastic historical romance.

     I love both of the main characters in this book. Leorah and Edward learn a lot about themselves and how they should treat others as the story progresses. This all happens as they each learn how to see beyond the faults of the other person, to their strengths.

     Thrown into the middle of the romance is a wonderful light mystery. There are a number of clues as to who is trying to kill Lord Withinghall. We only find out what the motive is very near the end of the book.

     The narrator for this book did an excellent job of making the story come alive. The various voices and intonations she used are great.

     I’m giving this delightful audiobook 5 stars on both the story and the narration. I highly recommend it.

A Haven for Her Heart (Redemption's Light #1) by Susan Anne Mason

Title: A Haven for Her Heart (Redemption’s Light #1)

Author: Susan Anne Mason

Pages: 368

Release Date: October 13, 2020

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: Bethany House

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

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

About the book:

     Homeless after being released from a women’s reformatory in 1939 Toronto, Olivia Rosetti is taken in by an angel of mercy, Ruth Bennington. The two discover they share a painful past and together decide to open a maternity home for troubled women.

     Despite the success of the home, Olivia is haunted by her inhumane treatment at the reformatory and the way her newborn son was taken from her. She feels undeserving of love—until she meets businessman Darius Reed. Although his attention makes her heart soar, he can never learn of her past.

     Greek widower Darius Reed is determined to protect his daughter from the prejudice that killed her mother. He’ll ensure her future by marrying a woman from a respected Toronto family. But when Darius meets Olivia, he’s immediately drawn to her beauty and compassion.

     Can love prove stronger than prejudice and past mistakes? Or will Olivia’s secrets destroy any chance at a future together?

My review:

     This is a very deep, thought provoking historical romance.

     Both Olivia and Darius are incredibly well developed and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know both of them. The heartaches that they each carried into the beginning of their relationship were palpable. I desperately wanted each of them to grow past the pain and reach a place where they weren’t bogged down by it. 

     I love the fact that they both included times of prayer and seeking God to help them on their journey. It was wonderful to see them both talk with older adults to help with the process also.

     The subject matter of this book is much heavier than any book that the author previously wrote. She has done a marvelous job of handling it throughout the story.

     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 Stone Wall by Beverly Lewis

 

Title: The Stone Wall

Author: Beverly Lewis

Pages: 352

Release Date: September 8, 2020

Genre: Amish 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:

     Anna is eager to begin a new chapter in her life as a Lancaster County tour guide in the picturesque area where her Plain grandmother once stayed. Anna wishes she could talk with her grandmother about those long-ago days, but the elderly woman suffers from Alzheimer’s, and beyond a vague hint about an old stone wall, much about that time is a mystery. Thankfulls, Martin Nolt, a handsome Mennonite, takes the young Beachy Amish woman under his wing for her training, familiarizing her with the many local highlights, including Peaceful Meadows Horse Retreat, which serves children with special needs. The retreat’s mission so inspires Anna that she returns to volunteer, and she quickly strikes up a friendship with Gabe Allgyer, the young Amish widower who manages it.

     As Anna grows closer to both Martin and Gabe, she finds herself faced with a difficult choice—one in potential conflict with the expectations of her parents. Will Anna find true love and the truth about her grandmother’s past in Lancaster County? Or will she find only heartbreak.

My review:

     This is an amazing story about the plain people!

     I love the fact that this book includes characters from three distinctive religious groups that are part of the plain people community. They included the Old Order Amish, the Beachy Amish, and the Mennonites. I was fascinated by how the different ones interacted with each other. I had never before realized that there more than one different Amish groups. I love it when I learn something like this from a novel.

     The characters are incredibly well developed. Anna Beachy is the central character. She has moved to Strasburg to stay with distant cousins while she seeks God’s guidance for her life. Periodically throughout the book we have short looks at her grandmother, Mammi Eliza, who stayed in Strasburg to help her great aunt, 70 years before. I absolutely love Anna. She is so sweet to everyone she meets.

     One of the sweetest characters though is little Emmie. Anna meets her when she starts volunteering at a horse riding therapy facility. I truly enjoyed reading how the therapy sessions were handled. It was fascinating.

     There were a number of very emotionally intense moments in this book. One of the recurring themes was dealing with elderly relatives whose memories are failing. My heart broke for all of the characters who were dealing with this.

     The key throughout the book was having a relationship with God. Along with that is the question of how do you know His will for your life.

     I’m giving this marvelous book a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it. I’m so glad that I have gone back to reading something by this author. It has been way too long since I have done so.

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.*

Daughter of Cana (Jerusalem Road #1) by Angela Hunt

 

Title: Daughter of Cana (Jerusalem Road #1)

Author: Angela Hunt

Pages: 384

Year: 2020

Genre: Biblical 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:

     Thomas and Tasmin, twin siblings hired to oversee a wedding feast in Cana, worry when the host runs out of wine . . . until a guest tells Tasmin to have the servants fill the pitchers by the gate with water from the cistern. Reluctantly, she obeys and is amazed when rainwater turns into the finest wine ever tastes in Cana.

     When Thomas impulsively decides to follow the teacher from Nazareth, he and Tasmin argue—since the twins have been together since the womb, Tasmin can’t accept losing her brother to some magician-prophet. Aided by Jude, younger brother to Jesus of Nazareth, she decides to follow the Nazarene’s group and do whatever she must to mend the fractured relationship and bring her brother home.

My review:

     This is an incredible biblical novel!

     When I read a biblical novel I don’t look for the story to follow the bible perfectly. Instead I look for a well crafted story that could very easily be the way things happened. We are not given complete details in the bible, and if we were why would anyone write biblical fiction.

     This author has done a marvelous job of studying scripture and the culture from during the period that Jesus ministered on earth. She has then taken all of the information that she learned and crafted this story to fit the information that is included in the bible.

     I love the way that she developed Tasmin, Thomas (her twin brother), and Jude (the brother of Yeshua. I was easily able to understand the doubts and the questions that they were all dealing with as the story progressed.

     I am really looking forward to seeing what takes place in the next book in this series. This is one author that I trust to have done an excellent job of preparation before she begins writing.

     This fantastic book is getting a rating of 5 stars from me. 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.*

Vying for the Viscount (Hearts on the Heath #1) by Kristi Ann Hunter

Title: Vying for the Viscount (Hearts on the Heath #1)

Author: Kristi Ann Hunter

Pages: 352

Release Date: August 4, 2020

Genre: Historical Romance

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:

     For Hudson, the newly titled Viscount Stildon, moving to England from India where he was born and raised was already an arduous enough endeavor. When he learns the fate of the racing empire he inherited along with his title depends upon him getting in the good graces of another stable owner, he’s even more at a loss.

     The stable at the neighboring estate has been Miss Bianca Snowley’s refuge for years, and when a strange man appears to be stealing the horses, she jumps to their protection without a second thought. Upon learning Hudson is actually the new owner, she can’t help but be intrigued by the area’s newest eligible bachelor.

     Any thought of romance is quickly set aside, however, when Hudson proposes they work together to secure suitable spouses for each other. As their friendship grows, Hudson and Bianca begin to reconsider what they truly want in life. But will societal expectations and the weight of their responsibilities keep them from pursuing their true desires?

My review:

     This is a wonderful historical romance.

     I love how deeply developed the main characters are. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Bianca, Hudson, and even Aaron. They have a lot of hangups that they need to work through but that didn’t stop them from becoming friends. I liked seeing how they supported each other. The fact that Aaron seemed to see things clearer than the others really caught my attention.

     Bianca’s life at home was very difficult and I really connected with the idea that part of why she made sure to go to go riding each morning was as an escape from the reality of it.

     The plot was captivating. I was definitely caught up in seeing how the right relationships would develop. It was fun to spot a few of the characters from a previous series of books that the author has written. I enjoyed seeing how their lives had progressed.

     I am giving this marvelous book a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it. I’m looking forward to seeing where the next book in the series takes us.

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.*

Timepiece (The Christmas Box #2) by Richard Paul Evans

Title: Timepiece (The Christmas Box #2)

Author: Richard Paul Evans

Pages: 236

Year: 1996

Genre: Historical novel

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

About the book:

     The bestselling author of The Christmas Box now provides readers with an inspirational message which reminds them about the gifts they pass on to their children. Timepiece traces the poignant love story of MaryAnne and David Parkin as they struggle to learn the lessons of love, loyalty, and forgiveness in the face of tragedy. At the heart of the book is an unforgettable story of hope, and the source of wisdom MaryAnne shared with Richard in The Christmas Box.

My review:

     This is a wonderful, thought provoking historical novel!

     The characters are incredibly deep and presented in all the vast measure of their personalities. This story took me on a whirlwind of emotions. I felt amazing joy and deep heart breaking sorrow with all that MaryAnne and David went through.

     There is very clear discussion about the most meaningful things in life. It really challenged me to take a long look at my own life. I love it when a book leads me to try and make myself a better person in God’s eyes.

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

Fire Storm (Kaely Quinn Profiler #2) by Nancy Mehl

Title: Fire Storm (Kaely Quinn Profiler #2)

Author: Nancy Mehl

Pages: 336

Year: 2019

Genre: Suspense

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:

     When FBI profiler Kaely Quinn’s mother is diagnosed with cancer, Kaely takes time off work to go to Dark Water, Nebraska, to help her brother care for their mother. Upon her arrival, she learns of a series of fires in the small town, attributed by the fire chief to misuse of space heaters in the frigid winter. But Kaely is skeptical, and a search for a pattern in the locations of the fires bolsters her suspicions.

     After yet another blaze devastates a local family, Kaely is certain a serial arsonist is on the loose. Calling upon her partner from St. Louis, Noah Hunter, and her brother’s firefighter neighbor who backs Kaely’s suspicions, Kaely and her team begin an investigation that swiftly leads them down a twisted path. When the truth is finally revealed, Kaely finds herself confronting a madman who is determined his last heinous act will be her death.

My review:

     This is an incredible suspense novel with lots of twists!

     I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about Kaely. She is an amazingly deep character. It was nice to see her trying to figure herself out as well as her personal relationships. It can be so easy to just blame others for the problems.

     Noah is a fantastic character. He is the perfect partner for Kaely. He is willing at accept her where she is at while at the same challenging her to improve. I enjoyed finding out that they become friends.

     The string of fires and the mystery about how they were being started was wonderful. It was fun seeing all the different personalities and how they interacted with each other as they worked to solve it. The twists and turns throughout this book really kept me guessing.

     I am 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.*