Category: Historical

About

On his way to interview for a position at a church in the Piney Woods of Texas, Crockett Archer can scarcely believe it when he’s forced off the train by a retired outlaw and presented to the man’s daughter as the minister she requested for her birthday. Worried this unfortunate detour will ruin his chances of finally serving a congregation of his own, Crockett is determined to escape. But when he finally gets away, he’s haunted by the memory of the young woman he left behind–a woman whose dreams now hinge on him.

For months, Joanna Robbins prayed for a preacher. A man to breathe life back into the abandoned church at the heart of her community. A man to assist her in fulfilling a promise to her dying mother. A man to help her discover answers to the questions that have been on her heart for so long. But just when it seems God has answered her prayers, it turns out the parson is there against his will and has dreams of his own calling him elsewhere. Is there any way she can convince Crockett to stay in her little backwoods community? And does the attraction between them have any chance of blossoming when Joanna’s outlaw father is dead set against his daughter courting a preacher?

Review

Oh I was so excited to get my hands on this one and it did not disappoint! I really liked Crockett from The Short-Straw Bride so I was really looking forward to finding out what he had been up to and what would happen next for him. This novel captures you from the very first chapter when the train is held up for the preacher. I found Crockett to be a wonderful hero. He was able to be both a man of God and a man to be reckoned with. I found Joanna to be a very likeable heroine. Her insecurities mixed with her strong faith in God combined to make a real person and perfect for Crockett. One thing that I think Ms. Witemeyer does well is have really good secondary characters. I loved every single one. They somehow manage to be fully developed without taking over the story. They are so interesting, I almost feel like she could write them their own novels. If you want to see the other brothers, they do stop by and it’s lovely to catch up! I loved the message that prayer changes things…even if you have to keep on praying for years. Ms. Witemeyer delivers on another fantastic romance and this one is not to be missed!

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

About

Lydia Eldredge longs to provide a sanctuary for her son, Nicky. But a constant threat comes from Nicky’s drug-addicted father, who wants the boy and seems willing to do whatever it takes to get him.

Dr. Micah Hatcher serves the immigrant population in Queens, but under cover of darkness he provides another service that must not be discovered lest his and his brother’s lives be in danger.

When Lydia and Micah’s paths cross, they are suddenly wrapped up in each other’s callings. Through unforeseen twists and turns, they seek a refuge of safety–for Nicky, for themselves, and for the needy people God unexpectedly puts in their lives.

Review

When I first picked up this novel I was really excited to see that Ms. Sawyer had jumped into the WWII era. I will say that the first couple of chapters were completely enthralling and pulled me in right away. That said, this novel was a bit slower (or rather more straightforward) than I would have liked and as a history lover made me question a few things. First off, I found Micah to be a bit more of a Beta male than I would have liked. He lacked a certain something to make him exciting. I also found Lydia to be a bit typecast-there was nothing very unique about her. There were quite a few references to her past though, and that made her sound infinitely more interesting than who she was in the present. I did however like the twist that entered the book three quarters in. I wasn’t expecting it and it made sense and worked really nicely in the book. Spiritually, I loved how Micah and Lydia sought the Lord for direction and how they were willing to, not only witness to someone who had caused them grief but help that person as they grew in their knowledge of God. It was a sweet book like its title.

**I received a copy from BethanyHouse. My opinion was not affected in any way.**

About

Set during the Industrial Revolution and the Great Exhibition of 1851, Follow the Heart is a “sitting-room romance” with the feel of a Regency-era novel but the fashions and technological advances of the mid-Victorian age.

Review

When I saw that this book took place in regency England there was no way I was going to pass on it. And it had all the things I really enjoy in a regency novel: class issues, subtle conversations, and romance. I found Kate to be a likeable character and really my favorite character in the book. But Christopher brings an interesting perspective as well. I enjoyed this book, but I did think that the characters fell in love a bit too quick for my taste, and I only say this because I didn’t feel as invested in the romance when trials came. There was the two guys and one girl plot here, but, I didn’t find it tiresome (though I did kind of feel bad for the guy who lost in the end). Overall, though, this is a lovely read. Spiritually, Kate has to realize that God does care, even about the small things and you can only get direction when you seek his face. Good book!

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

About

Winter Reeves is an aristocratic Patriot forced to hide her heart amid the Loyalists of the City of New York. She has learned to keep her ears open so she can pass information on British movements to Robbie Townsend, her childhood friend, and his spy ring. If she’s caught, if she’s hung for espionage…well, she won’t be. Robbie has taught her the tools of the trade: the wonders of invisible ink, drop locations and, most importantly, a good cover.

Bennet Lane returns to New York from his Yale professorship with one goal: to find General Washington’s spy hidden among the ranks of the elite. Searching for a wife was supposed to be nothing more than a convenient cover story for his mission, but when he meets Winter, with her too-intelligent eyes in her too-blank face, he finds a mystery that can’t be ignored.

Both believers…and both committed to a separate cause. Will their faith in God lead them to a shared destiny or lives lived apart?

Review

I found this book to be lovely and engaging. I so adored Bennet. He’s kind of the antithesis of what a hero should be and yet so heroic. He was hands down my favorite character in the book and I enjoyed reading through his eyes. I also liked Winter. There were moments when she was borderline annoying, but just when I thought I wouldn’t like her, she would go and do something to change my opinion. I found their relationship to be intriguing and I kept wondering how they were going to finally get together. I enjoyed the backdrop of the revolutionary war. I felt like I learned about history without being taught a history lesson. Spiritually, I love how Winter was so prayerful and how the novel showed the importance and power of prayer and how God is always speaking to us. Great book. Looking forward to the next one! Highly Recommended!

About

Molly Lovelace dreams of being a society leader in 1879 Lockhart, Texas, but being smitten with handsome wrangler Bailey Garner doesn’t seem the quickest route. If only he would settle down so he could support a family.

Bailey imagines doing great things for God, but his greatest obstacle is Molly. As long as he thought they’d be married, he excused their stolen kisses, but when she keeps refusing, he vows to earn her love. In town, he tries his hand at several different trades, but everywhere he turns he runs into the mysterious stranger Edward Pierrepont. No surprise that Molly’s always making calf eyes at the wealthy adventurer.

As pressure from Molly’s parents grows she is forced into a hasty decision. Had she weighed all her options and will she find love in the balance?

Review

This book presented a different take to the romance novel because it already starts with the heroine in love with someone. I found it to be an interesting way to begin a novel and I was curious as to where it was going. When I figured it out, I wasn’t completely thrilled, but the writing is such that you want to turn the pages. Character-wise I just loved Bailey, faults and all. Personally, I never really considered him to have any. The guy was just human. And he was easy to like, fun to read about, and I thought a character who was fairly rock steady. Molly, on the other hand, was hard to read. She probably makes the most growth in this novel and really, the author did a fabulous job with her development, but the choices she made often irritated me. I realize they had to be made in order to hone in on the point of this novel, but it wasn’t quite what I like to read. Spiritually, I love the theme of redemption and forgiveness which was beautifully done in this book. This was a unique book and really not a bad novel, it just wasn’t my cup of tea.

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

About

Recently widowed Annalisa Werner has the feeling her husband was murdered but can’t prove it. Alone with her young daughter in 1881 Michigan, she has six months left to finish raising the money needed to pay back the land contract her husband purchased, and the land is difficult to toil by herself. She needs a husband. With unmarried men scarce, her father sends a letter to his brother in the Old Country, asking him to find Annalisa a groom.

For nobleman Carl von Reichart, the blade of the guillotine is his fate. He’s been accused and convicted of a serious crime he didn’t commit, and his only escape is to flee to a small German community in Michigan where he’ll be safe. He secures a job on Annalisa’s farm but bumbles through learning about farming and manual labor.

Annalisa senses that Carl is harboring a secret about his past, yet she finds herself drawn to him anyway. He’s gentle, kind, and romantic–unlike any of the men she’s ever known. He begins to restore her faith in the ability to love–but her true groom is still on his way. And time is running out on them all.

Review

Let me just begin by saying that Ms. Hedlund has some of the best premises. A mail-order groom? Sounds odd, but totally works in this novel (though its a bit more complicated than that). Also, I love the way the author throws herself into the story. The story reads as though its realistic, never once, was I jarred by anything in the novel and Annalisa read like a woman of her times. Her development throughout the book made complete sense and I did not find her to be annoying in any way. Carl, though, was probably my favorite. What a hero. He’s funny, he’s kind,and even though there is a bit of deception going on in this book, I never felt let down by his character. The story is not complex, but the romance was lovely and worth every page. Spiritually, Annalisa has to come to the recognition that she is important to God, he hasn’t forgotten her. Great read. Recommended!

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

About

A transporting historical novel about a promising young inventor, his struggle with loss, and the attractive teacher who changes his life, all set against the razzle-dazzle of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.

Gambling everything, including the family farm, Cullen McNamara travels to the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair with his most recent invention. But the noise in the Fair’s Machinery Palace makes it impossible to communicate with potential buyers. In an act of desperation, he hires Della Wentworth, a teacher of the deaf, to tutor him in the art of lip-reading.

The young teacher is reluctant to participate, and Cullen has trouble keeping his mind on his lessons while intently watching her lips. Like the newly invented Ferris Wheel, he is caught in a whirl between his girl back home, his dreams as an inventor, and his unexpected attraction to his new tutor. Can he keep his feet on the ground, or will he be carried away?

Review

Oh, I had so much fun reading this book! Ms. Gist does an incredible job of creating characters who are so real that they jump off the pages and having situations that you most likely haven’t come across before. I so adored Cullen and his drive to succeed was something I found myself rooting for throughout the book. I thought Della came across as very unique and I found her endearing and not annoying. I really appreciated the back drop of the fair and thought it became a character in and of itself. I can promise you that this book will have you smiling and maybe even laughing at times. The biggest spiritual theme in this novel is trusting God and you see that really played out through Cullen. Great read and highly recommended!

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

About

Review

Once again this series picked me up and placed me in Europe and I felt like I was on my own grand tour. The novel takes up right where the previous one left off. There are a few new characters, but most of them are old friends. Cora is still my favorite character. She knows her own mind and isn’t afraid to say what she thinks. Will is a favorite too, though there were times I wished he had a bit more backbone. However, he is a man of his times and that is a credit to Ms. Bergren. The descriptions of the places are wonderful, the mystery is sufficiently interesting so that you want to know what happens next and the romance was done really well. There is a bit of a conclusion here that had me rejoicing and I’m glad it didn’t drag on until book 3. There is less tension in this novel between the travelers (though there is some!)and I would be lying if I said I didn’t miss it. Spiritually, I love how Cora seeks God’s face as to what to do and doesn’t fall into silliness.  I love the emphasis on having a relationship with Christ. This book is a sold continuation of the series and I look forward to see what happens next in book three.

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

About

Review

I was immediately drawn to this novel when I saw that it was a regency and having read a previous novel by Ms. Resce, I knew that it would probably be factual and realistic. I was not wrong. First, let me just start by saying that I enjoyed the character of Sarah Montgomery. She was both a woman of her times and strong. She never came across as a doormat, but neither did she flaunt tradition. Alan was a bit hard to like at first, and I think the author did this on purpose. But again, really, he was just staying true to the people of his times. The one problem I had with this novel was the mystery. Though the “bad guy” was obvious, something about it felt a bit rushed. Spiritually, this novel dealt with forgiveness and also how to treat people in a Godly manner. It also dealt morally with the power of spreading rumors. Ms. Resce doesn’t try to make it all go away in the end which I think is a nice touch of realism. Really enjoyable!