A Feeling of Home (Redemption's Light #3) by Susan Anne Mason

Title: A Feeling of Home (Redemption’s Light #3)

Author: Susan Anne Mason

Pages: 368

Release Date: July 5, 2022

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:

     Can she set aside the pain from the past to embrace a new love?

     Isabelle Wardrop’s well-to-do life has completely unraveled. Within months, she’s lost both her parents, her fortune, and her home. With nowhere else to turn, she and her younger sister move in with a trusted former servant in an impoverished area of the city. Desperate for work but having no qualifications, Isabelle is forced to accept help from Dr. Mark Henshaw, the very man she blames for her mother’s death.

     Mark Henshaw has admired Isabelle for several months, but after the tragic death of her mother, he vows to make amends for the past and help her find her way. But when Mark learns his younger brother has formed an undesirable friendship with Isabelle’s sister—one that brings a whole new set of problems into their lives—he doesn’t know if Isabelle will ever forgive him.

     When startling developments begin to take place, both within Isabelle’s heart and their siblings’ relationship, her future looks very different than anything she could have imagined.

My review:

     This is a wonderful historical novel.

     I love the main characters in this book. There are a number of very important characters not just the four that I consider the main ones.

     From the very beginning my heart went out to Isabelle Wardrop and her sister Marissa. I can’t even imagine the heartache and confusion they were going through as they tried to piece their lives back together. I was amazed at the strength of character that Isabelle displayed in the aftermath of tragedy.

     Mark Henshaw was also an amazingly strong character with a heart to help others. He definitely had some flaws, but don’t we all. Alongside Mark was his brother Josh. I understood the struggles that existed between them as they were dealing with their relationship as brothers as well as guardian and ward.

     I loved seeing how many people stepped up beside Isabelle and Marissa and worked to help them through a very trying period. The individual journey’s of growth and maturity that all four of the main characters had to take were very intertwined and yet at the same time different.

     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.*

The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle by Jennifer Ryan

Title: The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle

Author: Jennifer Ryan

Pages: 432

Release Date: May 31, 2022

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Format: eBook (also available in hardcover and 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:

     Three plucky women lift the spirits of home-front brides in wartime Britain, where clothes rationing leaves little opportunity for pomp or celebration—even at weddings—in this heartwarming novel based on true events, from the bestselling author of The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir.

     After renowned fashion designer Cressida Westcott loses both her home and her design house in the London Blitz, she has nowhere to go but the family manor house she fled decades ago. Praying that her niece and nephew will be more hospitable than her brother had been, she arrives with nothing but the clothes she stands in, at a loss as to how to rebuild her business while staying in a quaint country village.

     Her niece, Violet Westcott, is thrilled that her famous aunt is coming to stay—the village has been interminable dull with all the men off fighting. But just as Cressida arrives, so does Violet’s conscription letter. It  couldn’t have come at a worse time; how will she ever find a suitable aristocratic husband if she has to spend her days wearing a frumpy uniform and doing war work?

     Meanwhile, the local vicar’s daughter, Grace Carlisle, is trying in vain to repair her mother’s gown, her only chance of a white wedding. When Cressida Westcott appears at the local Sewing Circle meeting, Grace asks for her helpp—but Cressida has much more to teach the ladies than just simple sewing skills.

     Before long, Cressida’s spirit and ambition galvanizes the village group into action, and they find themselves mending wedding dresses not only for local brides, but for brides across the country. And as the women dedicate themselves to helping others celebrate love, they might even manage to find it for themselves.

My review:

     I loved this incredible historical romance novel.

     There was a large cast of characters in this book. There was quite a few different personality types and I had fun getting to know each one of them. I take that back, there was one woman that I truly couldn’t stand. Every book has to have at least one like that though.

     Cressida, Violet, and Grace were the main characters in this book. They alternated having chapters from their view points. The journeys that they each took growing and developing throughout the story were vastly different even though they were interconnected. I loved seeing how they stepped up to help each other and the whole community. They were truly resilient along with the whole county of England.

     The plot of this book really demonstrated the strength of nation. I enjoyed finding out how they were able to gather the number of wedding dresses that were needed to meet the demands. The women of England still wanted to have the white weddings to celebrate the start of their new lives. Yet they were stuck with all the restrictions of the clothes rationing that had to be implemented to meet the needs of the military.

     I am giving this marvelous book a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it. I’m glad that I took my time reading it so that I could savor the story.

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 Hope Jar (The Prayer Jars #1) by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Title: The Hope Jar (The Prayer Jars #2)

Author: Wanda E. Brunstetter

Pages: 320

Year: 2018

Genre: Amish Fiction

Publisher: Shiloh Run Press

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:

     What happens when making an elderly Amish couple very happy means going along with a lie that get bigger by the day?

     Michelle Taylor is not who her new family in Lancaster County believes her to be. The Lapps were looking for their long-lost granddaughter when they met Michelle and she assumed the identity of Sara Murray. Once homeless and hopeless, Michelle has come to love her new Amish friends and even considers the idea of romance among them.

     Finding an old blue jar in the barn that is filled with slips of paper containing thoughts, quotes, and prayer by an unknown author becomes a boost to Michelle’s budding faith— but also convicting. How can she tell the truth without hurting the ones she has truly come to love?

My review:

     This is a wonderful Amish story.

     There is a large cast of characters. They are very well developed and I enjoyed getting to know them. It was great reading about the peaceful way of life on the Amish farm. A few of the characters made some very poor choices and I liked seeing the journey they each had to make to rectify their mistakes. It’s quite a process to face up to how we hurt others and learn to ask for forgiveness.

     I’m giving this great book a rating of 5 stars. I do recommend it and am looking forward to reading the other books in this series.

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 Galveston, Texas: Madeline's Search by Kathleen Y'Barbo

Title: My Heart Belongs in Galveston, Texas: Madeline’s Search

Author: Kathleen Y’Barbo

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:

     Where is Mrs. Smith’s granddaughter? Who is the mysterious Mrs. Smith?

     Pinkerton agent Jonah Cahill is hired by the mysterious widow to find her lost granddaughter, rumored to be living in Galveston, Texas. Though Jonah prefers to travel alone, Mrs. Smith insists that she and her companion accompany him. Madeline Latour, investigative reporter, has been acting as Mrs. Smith’s assistant for several months, and Madeline will not allow anyone—even a Pinkerton agent—to ruin the story of a lifetime. The pair forges an uneasy truce as the investigation grows dangerous.

     Is there a bigger story beyond a missing girl to be revealed?

My review:

     This a great historical romance novel!

     I love both of the main characters. Jonah and Madeline are both very well developed. I enjoyed seeing how they interacted with each other. It was fun finding out about their past relationship.

     I was definitely caught up in the plot for this book. There was a wonderful mystery is trying to find Mrs. Smith’s granddaughter. There were a number of surprising twists that were discovered. When we got to the final uncovering I had a few points that caught me totally by surprise.

     I’m giving this great story 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.*

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.*