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.*

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 Black Midnight (True Colors Series) by Kathleen Y'Barbo

Title: The Black Midnight (True Colors Series)

Author: Kathleen Y’Barbo

Pages: 256

Release Date: August 1, 2020

Genre: Historical Romance / Mystery

Publisher: Barbour Book

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:

     Two series of murders seem mysteriously connected.

     Step into True Colors — a series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime.

     Could a series of murders in London in 1889 be related to unsolved murders in Austin, Texas, 1884? Queen Victoria wants to know and asks her granddaughter—who left the queen’s good graces by going off to America to become a Pinkerton agent—to quietly look for any connection. The catch is the queen doesn’t want her to do it alone. Alice Anne must find her former Pinkerton agent partner—now an attorney in Austin—and enlist him in the hunt. As the pair get closer to finding their suspect, their lives become endangered, but they refuse to be intimidated. Can this case be solved?

My review:

     This is an incredible novel based on a true crime mystery!

     I love both of the main characters. Alice Anne / Annie and Isaiah are wonderful. It was a lot of fun to see how Alice Anne keeps so much of her true personality while she is in Austin, living as Annie. The way they interact with each other while both in Texas and then in England is great.

     The plot of the mystery is fantastic. I loved going along with the investigators as they searched for clues about the murderer. There were plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing.

     I thoroughly enjoyed the note by the author at the end of the book explaining the actual history behind her story. I love the way she expresses what facts she bent to make them fit.

     This wonderful book is getting a 5 star rating 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.*

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.*