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.*

The Prince and the Prodigal by Jill Eileen Smith

Title: The Prince and the Prodigal

Author: Jill Eileen Smith

Pages: 384

Release Date: February 1, 2022

Genre: Biblical Fiction

Publisher: Revell

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:

     Joseph is the pampered favorite son of the patriarch Jacob. His older brothers, deeply resentful of his status in the family, take advantage of the chance to get rid of him, selling him to slave traders and deceiving their father about his fate. It seems like their troubles are over. But for Joseph and older brother Judah, they are just beginning.

     While Joseph is accused of rape and imprisoned, Judah attempts to flee the memory of his complicity in the betrayal of his younger brother. After decades apart, the brothers will come face-to-face in a stunning role reversal that sees Joseph in a position of great power while Judah begs for mercy. Will forgiveness or vengeance win the day?

     Bestselling and award-winning author Jill Eileen Smith brings her considerable research and imaginative skills to bear in this vivid retelling of one of the most popular stories found in Scripture—a story of jealousy, betrayal, and a reconciliation that only God could bring about.

My review:

     This is an amazing Biblical novel!

     I have read the book of Genesis multiple times. The story of Joseph and his brothers is a fairly large part of the book. At the same time there are a number of details that aren’t given in the bible. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this fictional account of their lives. The author has done an incredible job of filling in details of what everyday life would have been like for Jacob’s large family as well as Joseph’s life in Egypt.

     After the point that Dinah was raped by Shechem she really isn’t mentioned in the bible. My heart went out to her and what her life would have been like after Levi and Simeon killed all of the men in the city of Shechem. This book does show her as having a fulfilling place in the family.

     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.*

I'll Be Seeing You by Robin Lee Hatcher

 

Title: I’ll Be Seeing You

Author: Robin Lee Hatcher

Pages: 382

Release Date: June 7, 2022

Genre: Dual-time Novel

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

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:

     Generations of secrets unfold as a young college student learns the truth about her great-grandmother’s World War II heartbreak and love.

     Brianna Hastings’s life seems dull and full of disappointment until a handsome young man visits her church. She’s instantly smitten by the charming Greg, who leads an exciting, independent life—the kind of life she longs for. But when a college history assignment forces Brianna to interview her great-grandmother about life during World War II, she can’t believe it when Daisy presses her with questions about Greg’s character. “What sort of man is he? Who is he at his core?”

     What could her great-grandmother possibly know about love at first sight?

     The questions take both women back to Boise, Idaho, in the early 1940s, when war emphasized how fragile life could be. Daisy and her older sister pine for the same handsome bomber pilot—until one night of terrible judgment reveals their true characters and drives them apart. Trying to protect the people she loves the most, Daisy condemns herself to live a lie.

     In the years that follow, as Daisy grapples with the consequences, she receives unexpected grace from a man she’s known her whole life but never looked at twice. Could what she learned about love save Brianna from heartache three generations later?

  

My review:

     This is one of the most thought provoking novels that I have ever read!

     I really love Brianna, Daisy, Adam, Hannah, and Todd. I think that my favorite character though is Professor Meyer. He is mentioned but never actually in any of the dialogue. But the assignment that he gave to his college history class was absolutely fantastic! I sort of wish that I had had a teacher that gave that type of assignment. It took a student who hated history and turned her around.

     I was completely caught up in the plot of this book. Both time periods were captivating. They way that they related to each other was wonderful. I was extremely happy to see how both Brianna and Daisy grew and matured. It was wonderful to see the growth in their relationships with God.

     I find that I have no choice but to give this marvelous book a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it. I usually don’t review books this far ahead of their release. I would suggest that you pre-order it so that you won’t forget to get 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 Sugarcreek Surprise (Creektown Discoveries #2) by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Title: The Sugarcreek Surprise (Creektown Discoveries #2)

Author: Wanda E. Brunstetter

Pages: 320

Release Date: March 1, 2022

Genre: Amish Romance

Publisher: Barbour Fiction

Format: eBook (also available in paperback)

Note: I received a complimentary copy of the 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:

     Welcome to Sugarcreek, Ohio, where the Amish schoolteacher has a determined admirer. Tragically losing her parents as a child, Lisa Miller has grown up being afraid of loving and losing. She dedicates herself to teaching at an Amish schoolhouse and helping the grandparents who raised her, all the while avoiding the advances of newcomer Paul Herschberger. Paul enjoys antiques and meets Orley Troyer while looking for unique old milk bottles at yard sales. Orley and his wife offer prayers and advice as Paul tries to reach Lisa’s closed heart. But when secrets are revealed, will Lisa use them as an excuse to close herself off again?

My review:

     This is a delightful Amish romance!

     Both Paul and Lisa are very well developed. I felt a lot of compassion for Lisa very quickly after meeting her. She had a lot of tragedy in her childhood and was still carrying the scars from it emotionally. I desperately wanted to see her work through the pain and move on with her life. Paul was also trying to move on from a painful situation. I enjoyed seeing how Paul and Lisa were able to develop a friendship and then use that to heal. 

     The plot of this story was wonderful. There was plenty of hardship and troubles that Lisa and Paul had to deal with that helped them grow. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how Lois and Orley Troyer, along with older family members, were able to support both of them and encourage them to trust God with what they were going through.

     I’m giving this delightful book a rating of 5 stars. I highly recommend it. The main characters from the first book in the series are mentioned, but there is no reason to read it first.

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.*

High-Wire Heartbreak (Door to the Past) by Anna Schmidt

Title: High-Wire Heartbreak (Doors to the Past)

Author: Anna Schmidt

Pages: 256

Release Date: January 1, 2022

Genre: Dual-time Novel

Publisher: Barbour Publishing

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:

     In 1936—A party at the Ringling mansion Ca d’Zan in Sarasota, Florida, leads to a robbery—and possibly death.

     A successful historical mystery writer, Chloe Whitfield come to Ca d’Zan to research her next novel. Chloe’s fascination with the circus is rooted in family stories of her great-grandmother Lucinda Conroy, who reportedly was a trapeze artist of some renown. She’s heard hints of scandal—and perhaps larceny, but no details.

     Chloe’s grandmother—rumored to be Lucinda’s only offspring—was raised in an orphanage and never knew her mother. Intrigued as she is, Chloe has no intent of writing about Lucinda until she sees a poster featuring Lucinda as the star performer for a 70th birthday gala for John Ringling in May of 1936. From there the trail goes cold.

     Who was Lucinda and what happened to her?

My review:

     This is an absolutely incredible dual-time novel!

     I totally love the main characters in both time periods. Chloe and Ian are great. Watching their interactions change as the story goes along was a lot of fun. Then when we got to the 1936 storyline I was quickly captivated by Lucy and Bernardo. They were all surrounded by a full cast of supporting characters in each period.

     I was fascinated by the procedures that were described for doing research in a museum’s archive. I’m amazed thinking about all of the work that takes place to piece together historical stories. I was enthralled by the details that were included in connecting the two stories into one cohesive book.

     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.*