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.*

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.*

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.*

Veiled in Smoke (The Windy City Saga #1) by Jocelyn Green

Title: Veiled in Smoke (The Windy City Saga #1)

Author: Jocelyn Green

Pages: 416

Year: 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:

     Meg and Sylvie Townsend manage the family bookshop and care for their father, Stephen, a veteran still suffering in mind and spirit from his time as a POW during the Civil War. But when the Great Fire sweeps through Chicago’s business district, they lose much more than just their store.

     The sisters become separated from their father, and after Meg burns her hands in an attempt to save a family heirloom, they make a harrowing escape from the flames with the help of Chicago Tribune reporter Nate Pierce. Once the smoke clears away, they reunite with Stephen, only to learn soon after that their family friend not only died during the fire—he was murdered. Even more shocking, Stephen is charged with the crime and committed to the Cook County Insane Asylum.

     Though homeless, injured, and suddenly unemployed, Meg must not only gather the pieces of her shattered life, but prove her father’s innocence before the asylum truly drives him mad.

My review:

     This is a gripping historical novel!

     There is definitely a large element of romance in this story but the history is much more important in my mind. I love the four main characters. Meg, Stephen, Sylvie, and Nate are incredibly well developed. Watching the emotional growth of each of them was fantastic. As they grew I enjoyed seeing the changes in how they interacted with each other.

     I had read about the Great Chicago Fire in history class. It never really seemed real to me before reading this book. The fear and other emotions the people dealt with in the aftermath was palpable. My heart broke especially for Stephen as he was not only trying to deal with the current situation but also all of his memories and fears from his service in the Civil War.

     I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how they learned to depend on God to help them. The fact that multiple characters were able to bring scriptures to mind was a great reminder to me about the need to memorize scripture.

     I was completely captivated by this book. I’m giving it 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 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.*

Her Darling Mr. Day (American Royalty #2) by Grace Hitchcock

Title: Her Darling Mr. Day (American Royalty #2)

Author: Grace Hitchcock

Pages: 364

Release Date: January 4, 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:

     Jilted in front of all New York, Theodore Day decides to lose himself in his family’s luxury riverboat business in New Orleans and compete against his brother to become the next company head. The brother with the most sales by summer’s end will win the position. Thanks to Theodore’s fame as a suitor in Willow Dupre’s outlandish competition to find a husband, he has become veery desirable royalty in southern society and thus has an advantage.

     It took Flora Wingfield’s best work to convince her family to summer in New Orleans, but with Teddy Day a bachelor once again, she’s leaving nothing to chance. Desperate to stand out from all the clamoring belles, Flora attempts a bold move that goes completely awry, only to find it’s her interior design skills that finally catch his notice.

     But when Flora learns her father has matchmaking schemes of his own, Teddy will have to decide where his happiness truly lies and what he is willing to sacrifice for it.

My review:

     This is a delightful historical romance.

     I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know both Flora and Teddy. They were both in the first book in this series but we get to know so much more about their personalities in this one. Flora was at the center of a number of very funny scenes. She really needed to learn how to listen to what she was told though.

     There was a great plot with scheming, danger, and mistaken intentions that ran throughout the book. It kept my attention and provided me with a lot of entertainment.

     I’m giving this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it. I do suggest that you read the first book in the series before this one.

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.*

To Treasure an Heiress (The Secrets of the Isles #2) by Roseanna M. White

Title: To Treasure an Heiress (The Secrets of the Isles #2)

Author: Roseanna M. White

Pages: 384

Release Date: January 4, 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:

     Beth Tremayne has always been drawn to adventure. During her childhood, she felt that desire by exploring every inch of the Isles of Scilly. As an adolescent, she dreamed of love in London’s ballrooms. Now stumbling across an old map on her family’s property, she’s found more adventure than she ever craved in the hunt for pirate treasure. Unfortunately, Beth can’t escape the attentions of her family’s guest, Lord Sheridan.

     Sheridan has spent years pursuing whatever archaeological interests caught his imagination. And when he discovers that Beth’s search connects with one of his favorite pirates of history, he can’t help getting involved. Plus, he finds her irresistible, even though she insists he stole a prized possession of hers.

     As they work together following different clues and drawing closer to danger, they start to piece together a story of tragic love and piratical adventure. But the true surprise is the treasure they discover in each other.

My review:

     I love this amazing historical romance novel!

     There is an incredible cast of characters in this book. They are so well developed, and have a very wide variety of personalities, that I was captivated getting to know them. My absolute favorite character is Mamm-wynn. She is wonderful. I enjoyed seeing how Beth and Sheridan interacted with each other. Their verbal sparing was very entertaining.

     The treasure hunt kept my interest throughout the story. I had so much fun learning the style of research each person had. I loved finding out how all of the differences came together to answer the questions about Rupert, the pirate prince.

     There is a lot of heart searching and discussion about God in this book. Many of the characters went through a period where their faith grew and matured. Each journey was as different as their personalities.

     I’m giving this incredible book a rating of 5 stars. The romance is a stand-alone story. But I truly believe that the story will have more meaning if book one in the series is read first. I highly recommend these books. I’m looking forward to finding out what happens in the next book.

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.*

Saving Mrs. Roosevelt (Heroines of WWII) by Candice Sue Patterson

Title: Saving Mrs. Roosevelt (Heroines of WWII)

Author: Candice Sue Patterson

Pages: 256

Release Date: December 1, 2021

Genre: Historical Romance

Publisher: Barbour Fiction

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 Safety of the First Lady Rests in Shirley’s Hands

     Shirley Davenport is as much a patriot as her four brothers. She, too, wants to aid her country in the war efforts, but opportunities for women are limited. When her best friend Joan informs her that the Coast Guard has opened a new branch for single women, they both enlist in the SPARs, ready to help protect the home front.

     Training is rigorous, and Shirley is disappointed that she and Joan are sent to separate training camps. At the end of basic training, Captain Webber commends her efforts and commissions her home to Maine under the ruse of a dishonorable discharge to help uncover a plot against the First Lady.

     Shirley soon discovers nothing is as it seems. Who can she trust? Why do the people she loves want to harm the First Lady? With the help of Captain Webber, it’s a race against tie to save Mrs. Roosevelt and remain alive.

My review:

     This is an incredible historical romance!

     I love both of the main characters. Shirley and Leo are both very well developed. The pain that they have both suffered since America entered the war are huge. I really enjoyed seeing how Shirley’s love of the country was displayed by her courage in taking on an enormous task.

     I was absolutely fascinated to learn about the SPARS. I didn’t even know that the Coast Guard had a women’s reserve unit. This is one of the things that I really enjoy about reading historical fiction. I learn about many things from history is a way that my interest is captured and I can retain the information because of it.

     The plot of the story was fantastic. It had a lot of intrigue and danger built into it. I was sucked into it and desperate to see how the good guys would triumph.

     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.*

Shadows of Swanford Abbey by Julie Klassen

Title: Shadows of Swanford Abbey

Author: Julie Klassen

Pages: 416

Release Date: December 7, 2021

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 expresses are my own.

About the book

     In pursuit of an author who could help get her brother published, Rebecca Lane stays at Swainford Abbey, a grand hotel rumored to be haunted. It is there she encounters Sir Frederick-the man who broke her heart. When a mysterious death occurs, Rebecca is one of the suspects, and Frederick is torn between his feelings for her and his search for the truth.

My review:

     This is a wonderful historical romance!

     There is a definite mystery that comes into play in the plot. But the main story seems to be the interaction between Rebecca and Frederick. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know these two main characters. They are extremely well developed. I liked seeing the glimpses that are given into the years when they were growing up.

     The mystery captivated me. It was a lot of fun seeing how people in 1820 would have gone about solving a murder. I believe that the author had to have spent a good amount of time researching the jobs of magistrate and constable. She gave a lot of details along the way as to who would be responsible to questions witnesses and such.

     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.*

Brentwood's Ward (Bow Street Runners #1) by Michelle Griep

 

Title: Brentwood’s Ward (Bow Street Runners #1)

Author: Michelle Griep

Narrator: Pam Turlow

Pages: 322

Duration: 10 hours 25 minutes

Year: 2015

Genre: Historical Romance / Suspense / Mystery

Publisher: Shiloh Run Press

Format: eBook / Audiobook (also available in paperback)

About the book:

     Placee an unpolished lawman named Nicholas Brentwood as guardian over a spoiled, pompous beauty named Emily Payne and what do you get? More trouble than Brentwood bargains for. She is determined to find a husband this season. He just wants the large fee her father will pay him to help his ailing sister. After a series of dire mishaps, both their desires are thwarted, but each discovers that no matter what, God is in charge.

My review:

     This is an incredible historical romance!

     I have to admit this book is also an incredible romantic suspense and mystery. I love both Emily and Nicholas. There are a number of other wonderful characters also. Two of my other favorites are Jenny and Hope. I loved seeing how Emily matured from a spoiled brat to grown woman ready to deal with difficult situations. Nicholas learned to actually call on God for guidance.

     The plot of this story captured my attention. I started reading the eBook and before I finished 2 chapters I had switched to the audio book so I could read it faster. I had to find out what was going on and where the danger was coming from.

     The narrator is fantastic! She was able to make the story come alive for me. Her variety of voices and accents was wonderful! It was extremely easy to envision who the different characters were. I will definitely be looking for more books that she has narrated.

     I absolutely have to give this wonderful book a rating of 5 stars for both the story and the narration. I highly recommend it.

Once Upon a Dickens Christmas (3 Novellas) by Michelle Griep

Title: Once Upon a Dickens Christmas (3 Novellas)

Author: Michelle Griep

Pages: 450

Year: 2019

Genre: Victorian Christmas Romances

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:

     Pour yourself a cuppa, get lost in the merriment of the season, and enjoy a Dickensian Christmas in three stories from fan favorite Michelle Griep:

12 Days at Bleakly Manor

     Brought together under mysterious circumstances, Clara and Ben discover that what they’ve been striving for isn’t what ultimately matters. What matters most is what Christmas is all about . . . love.

A Tale of Two Hearts

     Pleasure seeker William Barlow needs a wife immediately to gain his uncle’s inheritance, and Mina Scott is just the girl to make him look respectable—too bad she turns him down. Ought he give her a second chance?

The Old Lace Shop

     Recently widowed Bella White is finally freed from the domination of the overbearing men in her life, but when she enters into a business partnership with the handsome Edmund Archer, she begins to wonder if marriage is worth a second chance.

My review:

     This book includes 3 Novellas. There were a few common things running from story to story. I enjoyed watching for them. The main one was the fact that in one way or another Charles Dickens is spoken of or actually appears in each one of them. That made for a fun point to keep my eye out for.

     Each of these Novellas is a wonderful Victorian Christmas romance!

12 Days at Bleakly Manor

     This book is filled with well developed and very strange characters. I love the two main ones, Clara and Ben. As we get to know them as well as the rest of the assorted house guests at Bleakly Manor a mystery starts to present itself. 

     Clara and Ben are the only two that know each other before arriving at the manor. It was interesting to see how their past affects their stay at the manor. Their interaction with each of the other house guests was very interesting. At times I wanted to tell some of them to just shut up. 

A Tale of Two Hearts

     I love both of the main characters. Their hearts are in the right place, but their plans to go about achieving the desired results are very twisted. They needed to learn to trust that God was in control and would take care of things without their schemes. They each dealt with a lot of angst over the deception that they were undertaking. I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that they each had a friend who was speaking encouragement and guidance to them along the way.

     The quotes from different books by Charles Dickens at the start of each chapter were great. Most of the books quoted I have never read. I did find myself adding many of them to my to-be-read list.

     It was fun to learn about some of the traditions of 1800s Christmas time. I’m very glad that the author included some notes at the end of the book about them.

The Old Lace Shop

     I absolutely love 3 special characters in this wonderful story. Bella and Edmund are both trying to move past very painful marriages. They are using different methods to do so but the fact that they aren’t just wallowing in the pain is incredible. I think that my favorite character is Flora though. She is sweet and joyful.

     The plot of this story is wonderful. I loved seeing how Bella struggled to try and find a place for herself in the man’s world of business. She had a lot of attitudes in others to try and work her way past. She kept trying to figure it out though.

     I thoroughly enjoyed reading this collection of Novellas. I’m giving it 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.*