Category: Historical

About

In 1763 Massachusetts, Susanna Smith has grown up with everything she’s ever wanted, except one thing: an education. Because she’s a female, higher learning has been closed to her, but her quick mind and quicker tongue never back down from a challenge. She’s determined to put her status to good use, reaching out to the poor and deprived. And she knows when she marries well, she will be able to continue her work with the less fortunate.

Ben Ross grew up a farmer’s son and has nothing to his name but his Harvard education. A poor country lawyer, he doesn’t see how he’ll be able to fulfill his promise to make his father proud of him. When family friends introduce him to the Smith family, he’s drawn to quick-witted Susanna but knows her family expects her to marry well. When Susanna’s decision to help an innocent woman no matter the cost crosses with Ben’s growing disillusionment with their British rulers, the two find themselves bound together in what quickly becomes a very dangerous fight for justice.

Review

From the first page, I was immediately immersed in eighteenth century America. I found this novel to be captivating. First off, I loved Ben. He was a complete character with both strengths and faults. I particularly liked how he came across as so passionate about his beliefs and what he was doing. Susanna was, for the most, an equally likeable character (though there is one scene that I made me almost throw my hands up). But what I liked most about Susanna is that you could see her change throughout the novel. It was subtle and yet profound. The best thing about this book? The romance. Sometimes you are just in the mood for a romance and this book had it. It was slow, but intense (the best kind) and by the time the book was over, the reader could be assured that Ben and Susanna were a good match.  Also, I found that the rest of the novel kept me on my toes. I found myself worried for several of the characters even as I told myself it would all work out in the end. Spiritually, I like how Tom teaches Susanna about letting go of the fear because fear will control you. Such a good book. Highly recommended!

**I received a copy of this novel from Netgalley. My opinion was not affected in anyway.**

Romantic Scale: 9.5/10

About

Abducted by Mohawk Indians at fourteen and renamed Burning Sky, Willa Obenchain is driven to return to her family’s New York frontier homestead after many years building a life with the People. At the boundary of her father’s property, Willa discovers a wounded Scotsman lying in her path. Feeling obliged to nurse his injuries, the two quickly find much has changed during her twelve-year absence—her childhood home is in disrepair, her missing parents are rumored to be Tories, and the young Richard Waring she once admired is now grown into a man twisted by the horrors of war and claiming ownership of the Obenchain land.

When her Mohawk brother arrives and questions her place in the white world, the cultural divide blurs Willa’s vision. Can she follow Tames-His-Horse back to the People now that she is no longer Burning Sky? And what about Neil MacGregor, the kind and loyal botanist who does not fit into in her plan for a solitary life, yet is now helping her revive her farm? In the aftermath of the Revolutionary War, strong feelings against “savages” abound in the nearby village of Shiloh, leaving Willa’s safety unsure.

Willa is a woman caught between two worlds. As tensions rise, challenging her shielded heart, the woman called Burning Sky must find a new courage–the courage to again risk embracing the blessings the Almighty wants to bestow. Is she brave enough to love again?

Review

I was drawn to this book because I heard such good things about and I just love the time period. It completely delivered. Burning Sky is a winning novel because it felt real and rooted in history while delivering fascinating characters that made you want to know more and more about them. Willa is a very strong female and one that I could appreciate. I will say she does have her moments that made me want to shake her a few times (this had to do with her romantic interest), but there is a reason for that and everything works out in the end. There are two possible male interests in this novel (which I’m not a fan of), but it does become pretty clear by the middle of the book as to which guy will win. The only sad part is that I liked them both and I almost hope that the guy who had to walk away gets his own book. I will say, that towards the end a lot kind of happens, but it’s nothing that the story has not already been building up to. Spiritually, all the (main) characters have a relationship with God that involves constant talking to Him and trusting Him. I felt that this was beautifully shown in their lives and it felt authentic. This novel is an absolute joy to read. Believe the hype. If you like Laura Frantz, you will thoroughly enjoy this novel.

Romantic Scale: 9

About

In the midst of the Napoleonic wars, another battle rages. The Duke of Somerset is soon to die, but he’s not about to give up control of his family. He changes his will, forcing his son and heir John to remain under the authority of a man dissipated by alcohol and perversion, Lord Bartholomew, the Duke’s brother.

When Bartholomew makes threats against the young woman John is supposed to marry and then challenges the betrothal, John take steps to protect Kitty. He forbids her from visiting the estate without her mother or father in attendance. He then assures her father, Earl Raeburn, that he intends to marry Kitty in three years, when he reaches his majority and takes control of the estate.

Uncle Bartholomew responds to this interference more violently than John anticipated. After two attacks against John’s life, his mother decides it’s no longer for safe for John to live on the estate. In the dead of night, they visit the gypsies, who have come to help with the harvest. After offering them a healthy bribe, they agree to flee the area, sheltering John in their caravan.

John hopes the letter he’s left Kitty will sufficiently explain the situation, but it doesn’t come close to meeting her romantic requirements of a love letter.

The three years pass much too slowly. John doesn’t belong with the gypsies, and they never let him forget it. He misses his mother and Kitty, the only two people who ever showed him acceptance or affection.

He’s finally ready to return to his estates, when he receives a visit from someone high in his majesty’s government. The whole world is at war with Napoleon, but someone from the gypsy caravan is supposedly offering vital information to the enemy. If John wishes to save the gypsies, he’ll have to prove their innocence. This means acting as a spy for the British government, something no gentleman duke would consider. When he doesn’t return at the appointed time, it could also mean the end of his betrothal to Kitty.

John is almost ready to reveal the guilty parties, when he receives word that Kitty has decided to launch a Season in London. With his bride available on the Marriage Mart, John is convinced he can no longer wait to return to acceptable society. At the first big costume party, John attends dressed as a gypsy and falls instantly in love with his own fiancee. Knowing Kitty’s desire for all things romantic, he begins a careful onslought of her heart. Capturing her attention is easy, following through with the wooing whilst managing a career as a spy is not. If John isn’t careful, he could lose alot more than his estates. He could lose Kitty and his life.

Being a Gypsy Duke isn’t easy with the threat of treason hanging over your head.

Review

In my opinion a novel isn’t a regency novel just because of its time period. It all comes down to the ‘feel’ of the novel, and this book had it. Not once, as I read this novel did I feel like it wasn’t a regency. A great regency deals with class issues, ton parties, and romance. This book had it all. Initially, when I read the premise of the book, I thought to myself that it had a lot going on. But I was so surprised to see how Ms. Mires took a situation that I never would have considered in a regency and made it work. John was a good hero. You could see how the pressures of his situation forced him to make the decisions that he made. I will say, when he finally pursued Kitty, it was sweet in a corny kind of way that left me smiling. Kitty. I really liked her. She was spunky and fun without stepping out of her historical era. There was one moment where I was worried that she would let me down, but she fixed it. She was hands down, my favorite character to read. I enjoyed all the secondary characters and I found myself wanting to know more about the gypsies (ahem, especially in regards to a big reveal). There were a couple of regency nuances that I wasn’t sure were 100% correct, but these never bothered the story. Spiritually, I found it a bit odd that Kitty would marry John not aware of his lack of faith (though, perhaps, realistic), but I loved how she prayed all the time and let her faith rest in God and not in man. I also liked the slow way John became a believer. It had a real touch of reality to it. Great novel, especially if you love this era.

** I was asked to read this from the author, my opinion was not affected in any way.**

Romantic scale: 9

About

The scribe Sarah married Darius, and at times she feels as if she has married the Persian aristocracy, too. There is another point she did not count on in her marriage-Sarah has grown to love her husband. Sarah has wealth, property, honor, and power, but her husband’s love still seems unattainable.

Although his mother was an Israelite, Darius remains skeptical that his Jewish wife is the right choice for him, particularly when she conspires with her cousin Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Ordered to assist in the effort, the couple begins a journey to the homeland of his mother’s people. Will the road filled with danger, conflict, and surprising memories, help Darius to see the hand of God at work in his life-and even in his marriage?

A hidden message, treachery, opposition, and a God-given success, will lead to an unlikely bounty.

Review

First off, I LOVED the first book in this series and book two did NOT disappoint. Never have I read a more character driven novel than this one. I didn’t care about anyone else except Sarah and Darius. Nehemiah got a few pages of his own in his point of view, but I’m not going to lie, I quickly flipped those pages because, hey, I’ve read the book of Nehemiah, so I didn’t feel like I missed much. Sarah was still her usual brilliant self, though she does make a mistake that kept me on the edge of my seat. And Darius is hands down one of my favorite male characters ever. In this novel, you begin to see why he is the way he is, as you learn more about his background. Spiritually, we begin to see Darius’ need to know God and Sarah ‘s relationship with God getting deeper. I loved this book and I’ve already reread it twice!

**I received this novel from Netgalley. My opinion was not affected in any way.**

About

The Unveiling and The Yielding, the first two books in the Age of Faith series, introduced readers to the formidable Wulfrith family during Duke Henry’s battle for England’s throne and his succession. Now that Henry wears the crown, he is more determined than ever to bring the Wulfriths to heel.

IN THE EYES OF THE CHURCH AND MEN, HERS IS NO SMALL SIN

Lady Gaenor Wulfrith is a woman scorned. And King Henry’s pawn. After three broken betrothals, she is ordered to wed her family’s enemy, a man she has never met and has good reason to fear. Faced with the prospect of an abusive marriage that will surely turn worse when her sin is revealed, she flees her family’s home with the aid of a knight—a man who could prove her ruin.

Christian Lavonne, the only remaining heir to the barony of Abingdale, has thrown off his monk’s robes—and God—to minister his lands. Determined to end the devastation wrought by his family’s feud with the Wulfriths, he agrees to marry his enemy’s sister, a woman no man seems to want. When he learns she has fled with a knight who has broken fealty with the Wulfriths, he pursues her, knowing that when they meet his own sin will be revealed and he will be as much in need of redemption as the woman who may carry another man’s child.

Review

When you are in the mood for medieval fiction, Ms. Leigh is the woman to turn to. I was really looking forward to this book after book two in her Age of Faith series and it didn’t disappoint! The best thing about this book was how different Gaenor and Christian are from the other heroes/heroines in the series. Christian is a man who was promised to the church and I loved to watch him deal with the fact that he is now a man who must be willing, at times to fight. Gaenor is different than Annyn and Beatrix because she is a woman with a past (which I imagine wasn’t something that happened that often in those days). I especially liked to see the development of Gaenor and Christian’s relationship in the beginning of the book. It was sweet and different. While I will admit that there were times when Gaenor was a bit annoying, it didn’t last the whole novel and by the end of the novel I really liked her. I will say that though Christian started out as a more original male in this series, he ended very much like the Wulfriths which I thought didn’t particularly need to happen. Speaking of the Wulfriths, they are all in this novel and really a joy to read about. Spiritually, there is the theme of forgiveness and more importantly forgiving yourself. Great novel and looking forward to the next one!

About

When Eve Marryat’s father is laid off from the Ford Motor Company in 1931, he is forced to support his family by leaving St. Paul, Minnesota, and moving back to his Ohio roots. Eve’s uncle Cyrus has invited the family to live and work at his Marryat Island Ballroom and Lodge.

St. Paul seemed like a haven for gangsters, and Eve had grown fearful of living there. At seventeen, she considers her family to be “good people.” They aren’t lawbreakers and criminals like so many people in her old neighborhood. Thrilled to be moving to a “safe haven,” Eve is blissfully unaware that her uncle’s lodge is a transfer station for illegal liquor smuggled from Canada.

Eve settles in to work and makes new friends, including an enigmatic but affecting young man. But when the reality of her situation finally becomes clear, Eve is faced with a dilemma. How can she ignore what is happening right under their very noses? Yet can she risk everything by condemning the man whose love and generosity is keeping her and her family from ruin?

Review

For me, Ann Tatlock epitomizes the historical writer. Her novels are so rich with information of the era that’s she’s writing that oftentimes I feel like I took a time-travel trip. Sweet Mercy is no different as it indoctrinates you into the Great Depression/Prohibition era with the likes of Al Capone and other such criminal minds. Not only did I learn a lot, I enjoyed a good story as well. I found this novel to be thoroughly engaging and page-turning. I always wanted to know what happened next. I will say that Eve was a bit annoying to me as a character. At the same time, I understand that she had to be the way she was for you to truly see how things were.  But (and maybe I’m jaded), I failed to be as concerned about prohibition as Eve was (could be because I know how the story ends). I did enjoy the romance though it took a backseat in the narrative and if I’m honest, I wanted her to end up with one of the other guys Eve got to know so well. Spiritually, mercy is a concept that is touted throughout the novel. And I love how it ends by showing that there is no sin that you can commit that God won’t forgive you for. But I think another point as well is that self-righteousness gets you nowhere but alone. Page-turning, fun, and recommended!

**I received a copy of this novel from Netgalley. My opinion was not affected in anyway.**