Category: Historical

About

Swept away when her wagon train attempts a difficult river crossing, Ruthy
MacNeil isn’t all that upset at being separated from the family who raised her.
All they’ve ever done is work her to the bone. She prayed for a chance to get
away, and then came the raging flood. Alive but disoriented, she’s rescued by
Luke Stone…so unfortunately, there are more chances to die in her immediate
future.

Luke is heading home to reclaim the ranch stolen from his family.
But the men who killed his father are working hard to ensure Luke doesn’t make
it alive. He has no choice but to keep moving. Still, he can’t just abandon
Ruthy, so she’ll have to come along.

His friends–a ragtag group of
former Civil War soldiers–take a fast interest in the pretty gal. Luke thinks
that’s rather rude–he’s the one who found her. And the more time he spends
around the hard-working young woman who is a mighty good cook, the more he finds
himself thinking beyond revenge and toward a different future. For the first
time in a long time, Luke is tempted to turn from his destructive path and be
swept away by love.

Review

First off, I really enjoyed this novel. I liked Ms. Connealy’s last series, but I think I already like this one more. While the heroine is a typical Connealy heroine, I think the first half of this book held a bit more gravity to it than her previous novels. I loved the back story of Luke and his friends and I only hope it gets fleshed out more in this series. For that matter, I enjoyed Luke and the way he thought and did things. I found the plot to read just like a western film. One thing I really think Ms. Connealy does well is not play games with the romance. I don’t think people in those days wasted that much time when it came to marriage and so her novels seem more realistic on that front. It does have a few silly moments, mostly in the way that the characters think, and I did cringe in one scene where Ruthy saves Luke. Yet, overall a very satisfying read. Recommended!

**I recieved this book from Netgalley. My opinion was not affected in any way.**

About

A daring rescue. A difficult choice. Sophie desperately wants to get away from
her stepmother’s jealousy, and believes escape is her only chance to be happy.
Then a young man named Gabe arrives from Hagenheim Castle, claiming she is
betrothed to his older brother, and everything twists upside down. This could be
Sophie’s one chance at freedom—but can she trust another person to keep her
safe? Gabe defied his parents Rose and Wilhelm by going to find Sophie, and now
he believes they had a right to worry: the girl’s inner and outer beauty has
enchanted him. Though romance is impossible—she is his brother’s future wife,
and Gabe himself is betrothed to someone else—he promises himself he will see
the mission through, no matter what. When the pair flee to the Cottage of the
Seven, they find help—but also find their feelings for each other have grown.
Now both must not only protect each other from the dangers around them—they
must also protect their hearts.

Review

I think we can all agree that last year was an ode to Snow White, so I will readily admit that I was tired of the famous pale lady. But, from the first few pages I was immediately drawn into the novel which was both familiar and different. I really liked Gabe and the fact that he was not Sophie’s betrothed. I understand and appreciated his motivation to rescue Sophie. And Sophie was a great heroine. She was not a passive Snow White who waited for life to happen.  Also, if you’ve read The Healer’s Apprentice, then you will understand how nice it was to see how Rose and Wilhelm again and to meet the new members of their family. Spiritiually, I love how Sophie stayed in the scriptures and followed them regardless of her situation. I so enjoyed this book. I couldn’t put it down and I highly recommend it!

About

It’s 1846 in Ireland. When her family’s small farm is struck by famine, Clare Hanley and her younger brother, Seamus, set out across the ocean to the Promised Land of America.

Review

If ever you’re looking for historical fiction, this is it. Mr. Reynolds does a fantastic job of transporting the reader to 19th century Ireland (and later America) and making you feel as though you are going through the same struggles as the Irish went through. The novel portrays, often, overwhelmingly sad and harsh incidents that you know were only to common at the time. I thought the author did a good job of fleshing out the various characters in the novel. Clare felt like a real person and you could understand the workings of Seamus and the rest of his family. The novel was probably not as romantic as I usually read (though there is romance) and at times I felt like I wasn’t entirely sure of where the novel was going, but overall it was well-written and a satisfying read. Spiritually, Clare has to learn to lean on God even though she experiences some really tough time and you can see the importance of evangelizing in this novel.

**I recieved this novel from netgalley. My opinion was not affected in any way.**

About

Review

Ms. Leigh’s new novel thrusts you right back into medieval times and amongst the Wulfriths once again. I was really excited to see that this novel was about Garr’s sister and I found the premise of the novel to be intriguing. Beatrix, I thought, was a great heroine and unique in many ways. And I think the reader will totally get where Michael is coming from. When they were together, I enjoyed their often spirited exchanges (though I did feel like they talked in circles around each other at moments). Spiritually, Beatrix’s faith in God was one of the things I loved the most about this novel (though there is a moment in the book that seems at odds with her belief) and Michael has to learn to humble himself before the Lord. Also, I think the book does a good job of showing how bitterness and hatred can tear a person apart from the inside out.  Good Book and I am looking forward to the third one!

About

Pastor David Langley understands six-year old Caleb Holsheyer — what it feels
like to be damaged and alone. His family killed in a fire, and his body severely
burned, David grew up in an orphanage, ridiculed and shunned. He couldn’t let
that be Caleb’s fate.

When adoption plans fall through, David is
desperate to find Caleb a new home. But in the midst of the Great Depression,
most families are barely getting by. No one seems willing to take on the
responsibility of an extra mouth, especially one belonging to a crippled
child.

Except for Sadie Miller, the town spinster. In Sadie, David sees
the answer to Caleb’s needs. But Child Welfare doesn’t agree, and demands other
arrangements be found, or the boy be returned to the orphanage.

David and Sadie team up, determined to find a home for an orphaned child, but while
searching, might they find a family instead.

Review

If you’re feeling in the Christmas spirit (like me!) and want to read a Christmas novel, this is a great one. It’s a tad bit shorter than I like, but the characters are very well developed and you can’t help but love Caleb, understand David, and feel for Sadie. When I first read the back of this novel, I thought for sure that I knew what would happen, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it didn’t go the way I thought it would. To a certain degree, Christmas books are a bit corny, but I thought that this one didn’t fall into that category because Christmas wasn’t held up as the end all be all. Spiritually, David and Sadie have to learn to walk by faith because their circumstances certainly don’t make things look possible. Good book and great for the season.

About

Lady Eliza Sumner is on a mission. Her fortune was the last thing she had left
after losing her father, her fiance, and her faith. Now, masquerading as Miss
Eliza Sumner governess-at-large, she’s determined to find the man who ran off
with her fortune, reclaim the money, and head straight back to London.

Mr. Hamilton Beckett, much to his chagrin, is the catch of the season,
and all the eyes of New York society–all the female ones, at least–are on him.
He has no plans to marry again, especially since his hands are full keeping his
business afloat while raising his two children alone.

Eliza’s hapless
attempts to regain her fortune unexpectedly put her right in Hamilton’s path.
The discovery of a common nemesis causes them to join forces and, before she
knows it, Eliza has a whole retinue of people helping her. Eliza’s determination
not to trust anyone weakens when everyone’s antics and bumbling efforts to
assist her make her wonder if there might be more important things than her
fortune and independence.

When all of Hamilton’s and Eliza’s best-laid
plans fall by the wayside, it will take a riot of complications for them to
realize that God just might have had a better plan in mind all along.

Review

I really enjoyed reading this novel, though I will say to some degree it wasn’t what I expected. I think I expected more women chasing Hamilton, but that didn’t really happen in this novel . However, there was an honesty and openness to this novel that I just simply found refreshing. Sometimes deceit gets a little old. The slight mystery and suspense was enough to keep me turning the pages and I enjoyed the view given of New York Society. I did think that the women were a bit ahead of their times in this novel and with no real explanation as to why. Also, things had a tendency to happen quickly (friendships were forged fast, offenses forgiven quickly). That said, I did very much enjoy the relationship that unfolded between Hamilton and Eliza. I think this is one novel that moved past physical attraction and made it to a solid friendship. Spiritually, Eliza and Hamilton have to learn to trust God after they go through some trying times. Overall, a good book and I look forward to the next one by this author.

**I recieved this novel from BethanyHouse Publishers. My opinion was not affected in any way.**

About

Emma Smallwood, determined to help her widowed father regain his spirits when his academy fails, agrees to travel with him to the distant Cornwall coast, to the cliff-top manor of a baronet and his four sons. But after they arrive and begin teaching the younger boys, mysterious things begin to happen and danger mounts. Who does Emma hear playing the pianoforte, only to find the music room empty? Who sneaks into her room at night? Who rips a page from her journal, only to return it with a chilling illustration?
The baronet’s older sons, Phillip and Henry, wrestle with problems–and secrets–of their own. They both remember Emma Smallwood from their days at her father’s academy. She had been an awkward, studious girl. But now one of them finds himself unexpectedly drawn to her.
When the suspicious acts escalate, can the clever tutor’s daughter figure out which brother to blame…and which brother to trust with her heart?

Review

With shades of Austen and Bronte, Ms. Klassen has written this sweeping tale set in 19th century Great Britain. This novel gives you those delicious social class problems that only regency can give you and gothic settings reminiscent of Du Maurier. Emma Smallwood is a woman the reader will come to know well and love. I really like how Klassen tries not to let you know who the hero will be in the end, so I won’t give away his name, but frankly, after meeting him you can’t but love him as well. The Weston family—boy do they give Emma a run for her money with their mysteries and interesting ways. She stayed with that family far longer than I ever would.  Spiritually, Emma has to learn to surrender to God; that she can’t control every thing and every situation, and that ultimately you just have to trust God to work out situations. This novel has quickly become one of my favorites by Ms. Klassen, and I look forward to reading it again and again. Highly Recommended.

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

About

Everyone thought little Sunny had perished with Lady Gallagher in storm-tossed seas off the Arabian coast, but the beautiful toddler had been found, taken to the palace of Darhabar, and raised as the ruler’s own child. Now the emir, Ahmad Khan, is sending her home, and Sunny’s uncertain, new life is completely in God’s hands.

Review

This is one of my favorite Lori Wick novels! Not only is it a regency, but her characters are not quite as perfect in this book as they kind of become in her later ones. Sunny is so much fun right from the beginning of the novel which has her throwing herself over the rails of a moving ship. She doesn’t lose her adventurous nature as she gets older. Brandon is so staid and stoic, but I love how Sunny unravels him every time they are together. Now this is a romance that truly develops over time. Spiritually, you can’t read a Lori Wick novel and not get the message of salvation. Love it. And I love how you see Sunny change and yet stay the same. Great Novel. Highly Recommended!

About

His father will stop at nothing to keep the royal bloodline “pure” –even murder. But his sins have nearly destroyed Prince Philip and the future of his reign.
Forced into a political marriage, Philip tells his bride, “I will not lie to you, I will not be unfaithful to you, and I will not love you. My heart is pledged to another and I am not a man to break an oath.”
His one true love is a lowly serving girl. When Philip refuses to set her aside in order to form a politically beneficial marriage, his father has the girl tried on false charges and executed. He then forces Philip to marry the beautiful and nobly born Lady Rosalynde. Devastated and embittered by his loss and his father’s betrayal, Philip is determined to never love again . . . not his father, not his wife, not his God. Although Rosalynde adores him, he withholds his heart from her, refusing to let even death end his devotion to the love he lost. Despite his coldness towards her, Rosalynde is determined to love him and teach him to love her — as determined as the God he has turned his back on. As civil war rages throughout the realm, Philip faces a greater struggle within himself. Will he open his heart to love again or let his pride destroy him and his kingdom?

Review

This book (and series) is what I would call medieval fiction at its best. Everything you think that should be in them: witch burning, arranged marriages, wars, all in this novel. Reading this novel, I really felt that the author stayed true to the times. Never once reading it, did the characters do anything that brought me right back to the 21st century. I loved Philip, even though he was hard at times. But he had such a good reason to be. Rosalynde was a bit more meek than most heroines, but in her meekness she was strong. She was a perfect foil for Philip. I even loved the secondary character of Tom. Spiritually, I love how you see what bitterness and unforgiveness can do to a person and how much freer you are when you release it. I also love how Rosalynde loved Philip continually, even in his harshness, always showing him the love of Christ which I imagine is easier to do on paper than in real life. Great novel. Highly Recommended!

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