Category: Historical

About
Charles McIntyre owns everything and everyone in the lawless, godless mining town of Defiance. When three good, Christian sisters from his beloved South show up stranded, alone, and offering to open a “nice” hotel, he is intrigued enough to let them stay…especially since he sees feisty middle sister Naomi as a possible conquest. But Naomi, angry with God for widowing her, wants no part of Defiance or the saloon-owning, prostitute-keeping Mr. McIntyre. It would seem however, that God has gone to elaborate lengths to bring them together. The question is, “Why?” Does God really have a plan for each and every life?

A Lady in Defiance, loosely based on true events, is set in the majestic San Juan Mountains of Colorado. While a romance, it is also an “ensemble” piece that weaves together the relationships of the three sisters and the rowdy residents of Defiance. With a nod to Pride and Prejudice, the story is filled with surprises, plot twists, and an ending you won’t be able to guess

Review

I stumbled across this kindle book and what a find? It kind of reminded me of The Harvey Girls (Judy Garland fans anyone?) only 10 times better. There is something about Charles that is so likeable even as he takes part in some repugnant activities. And Naomi? Loved her. She was brave and fiesty without ever slipping into that annoying category. The romance here just made sense and I look forward to what the author will write next. Spiritually, I love how Naomi poors out her grief to the Lord and still trusts Him though its hard. Charles has to learn to acknowledge the Lord. And together they learn that there is much power in prayer. Great Novel. Highly Recommended!

About
To create something that will last is Claire Laurent’s most fervent desire as an artist. It’s also her greatest weakness. When her fraud of a father deals her an unexpected hand, Claire is forced to flee from New Orleans to Nashville, only a year after the War Between the States has ended. Claire’s path collides with that of Sutton Monroe, and she considers him a godsend for not turning her in to the authorities. But when they meet again and he refuses to come to her aid, she realizes she’s sorely misjudged the man. Trading an unwanted destiny for an unknown future, Claire finds herself in the middle of Nashville’s elite society and believes her dream of creating a lasting impression in the world of art may finally be within reach.

All that Sutton Monroe holds dear lies in ruin. He’s determined to reclaim his heritage and to make the men who murdered his father pay. But what he discovers on his quest for vengeance reveals a truth that may cost him more than he ever imagined.

Set at Nashville’s historical Belmont Mansion, a stunning antebellum manor built by Mrs. Adelicia Acklen, the richest woman in America in the 1860s, A Lasting Impression showcases the deep, poignant, unforgettable characters that set Tamera’s stories apart and provides an inspiring love story that will capture readers’ hearts and leave them eager for more.

Review

Tamera Alexander is a fabulous author. Somehow she manages to take ordinary topics and turn them into something phenomenal. This novel is no different. There is the character of Sutton who has to deal with the after affects of the Civil War and Claire who has to live with the deception she has practiced. One of the things that I loved about this novel was that their eventual relationship was grounded in friendship. It just made sense. The novel is a bit long, but I love long novels (by good authors!). Spiritually, Claire comes to know God in a way she hadn’t before; situations force her to lean on him. Great novel. Excited about the new one coming out soon. Highly Recommended!

About
Orphaned in Iowa, Annie Kennedy moves to Boston to stay with her spinster aunt. She longs for romance to fill the void left by her parents’ death. But when she falls hard for Steven O’Connor, the man who broke an engagement to her sister, Annie is worried. Will he break her heart too when he discovers who she really is?

With heart-pounding romance, intense family drama, and emotional twists and turns, A Love Surrendered is everything Julie Lessman’s many fans have been waiting for.

Review

A Julie Lessman novel=drama. And this latest tale is no different. This is the last novel in the O’Connor series (at least for a while, if you don’t count the prequel coming out in November) and I thought it was a very good conclusion. It may even be one of my favorites in the series. You have Annie who is a small town girl come to the big city with a big secret and you have Steven who struggles with guilt even as he plays with fire. I think I liked Steven’s character the most because of all the men in the O’Connor family, there were a couple of scenes in the novel that just made him stand out. Although, there were times when I was like really Steven? You can’t read about one O’Connor without reading about the others and so you get some updated info on several siblings’ marriages. Spiritually, Annie gets a swift reminder to trust God and I love how much she falls in love with God and is willing to put him first in everything. This is what makes her character unique. Steven has to learn to forgive himself and to give his life to God. Good Book. You must read this series in order to make sense. Highly Recommended!

About
Night’s chill tickled her skin. Lonnie pressed her hands together and glanced up. He was even more handsome up close. Having grown up the shy, awkward daughter of Joel Sawyer, she’d hardly spoken to any boy, let alone the one who had mothers whispering warnings in their daughter’s ears and fathers loading shotguns.

Pretty Lonnie Sawyer is shy and innocent, used to fading into the background within her family, and among the creeks and hollows of the Appalachian hills. Though her family is poor and her father abusive, she clings to a quiet faith. But when handsome ladies’ man and bluegrass musician Gideon O’Riley steals a kiss, that one action seals her fate.

Her father forces her into a hasty marriage with Gideon—a man she barely knows and does not love. Equally frustrated and confused by his new responsibilities, Gideon yearns for a fresh start, forcing Lonnie on an arduous journey away from her home in Rocky Knob.

Her distant groom can’t seem to surrender his rage at the injustice of the forced matrimony or give Lonnie any claim in his life. What will it take for Gideon to give up his past, embrace Lonnie’s God, and discover a hope that can heal their two fractured hearts?

Review

I thought this novel was full of originality. It took place in the Appalachian Mountains and I haven’t read many books in this area, the hero was not a hero for most of the book, and it focused on marriage more so than romance. But back to Gideon, the non-hero, there were quite a lot of times in the novel that I thought to myself what a loser. But this guy grows on you. To be perfectly honest, he was a realistic portrayal of a young man who got married too young and with bad examples of marriage before him. But once he has that good example, his character begins to slowly develop into a good man. He was definitely the most interesting person in the novel and I felt the novel was more geared to his growth than to the romance (though you see some of that as well). Spiritually, Gideon has to realize that he is not in control and Lonnie learns to hold on to God’s promises in regards to her marriage. This is certainly an interesting novel! Recommended.

About
Texas, 1874. Long ago, Scout Proffitt gave up on ever being a man of honor like his Civil War hero brother Clayton. But when Scout steps foot on the rundown remnants of the Circle C ranch, he wonders if maybe—just maybe—the Lord has something different intended for him.

Rosemarie has lived most of her life doubting her worth and shouldering the blame for her brother’s death. But when a stranger rides onto her ranch, claiming he owns it, she suddenly is given a choice: either keep looking at the dark side of life . . . or dare to dream.

Review
What a stunning conclusion to a great series! I loved this book! The best thing about Ms. Gray’s novels, is that they are layered with realism. Her women are not 20th century women, but women who need to survive. Her men are men who have had to make choices that are not always easy and you can take ’em or leave ’em. Of the three novels by Ms. Gray, I think this one is my favorite. Scout’s character is so fully developed from this novel and the previous that you feel like you can understand this complex hero. Rosemarie is the perfect heroine for a man like Scout. Spiritually, they just live their faith. It comes as natural to them as breathing. That’s the only way to describe it. Highly Recommended!

** I got this copy from Netgalley through Abingdon Press. My opinion was not influenced in anyway.**

About
Love and Lives are Threatened in Camden’s Latest Offering

As a child, Lydia Pallas became all too familiar with uncertainty when it came to the future. Now, she’s finally carved out a perfect life for herself–a life of stability and order with no changes, surprises, or chaos of any kind. She adores her apartment overlooking the bustling Boston Harbor, and her skill with languages has landed her a secure position as a translator for the U.S. Navy.

However, it is her talent for translation that brings her into contact with Alexander Banebridge, or “Bane,” a man who equally attracts and aggravates her. When Bane hires Lydia to translate a seemingly innocuous collection of European documents, she hesitantly agrees, only to discover she is in over her head.

Just as Bane’s charm begins to win her over, Lydia learns he is driven by a secret campaign against some of the most dangerous criminals on the East Coast, compelled by his faith and his past. Bane forbids any involvement on Lydia’s part, but when the criminals gain the upper hand, it is Lydia on whom he must depend.

Review
So I loved the character of Bane from The Lady of Bolton Hill. In my opinion, Bane completely stole the show in that novel, so I was thrilled to learn he would have his own novel. It did not disappoint. I so enjoyed this novel! Bane’s character is just so savvy and I was skeptical that he could meet his match, but Lydia lived up to it. I loved that this novel was so original. Everytime I thought I could predict what would happen next, I was wrong. So much fun! Spiritually, Bane has to realize that his forgiveness does not require penance and Lydia realizes that she needs Jesus. He is the only person she should be relying on. Her salvation story was unique and not the least bit chessy. I’ve read every novel by this author, but she has me completely sold with this one. Highly Recommended and while you don’t need to read The Lady of Bolton Hill, I suggest you do!.

About
In the aftermath of the Civil War, Josephine Weatherly and her mother, Eugenia, struggle to pick up the pieces of their lives when they return to their Virginia plantation. But the bitter realities of life after the war cannot be denied: their home and land are but shells of their previous grandeur; death has claimed her father and brother; and her remaining brother, Daniel, has returned home bitter and broken. The privileged childhood Josephine enjoyed now seems like a long-ago dream. And the God who failed to answer any of her prayers during the war is lost to her as well.

Josephine soon realizes that life is now a matter of daily survival–and recognizes that Lizzie, as one of the few remaining servants, is the one she must rely on to teach her all she needs to know. Josephine’s mother, too, vows to rebuild White Oak…but a bitter hatred fuels her.

With skill and emotion, Lynn Austin brings to life the difficult years of the Reconstruction era by interweaving the stories of three women–daughter, mother, and freed slave–in a riveting tale.

Review
If you love Lynn Austin, then you’ll love this book. And I love Lynn Austin. While it may take a minute to get into the novel, once you’re pulled in, you won’t want to put it down. One of the things I appreciated about this book was that it took place right after the Civil War, such uncharted territory gave the novel originality. Ms. Austin was able to capture three different points of view so well in the persons of Josephine, Eugenia, and Lizzie. Spiritually, Josephine has to learn to let go of her bitterness and to talk to God, Eugenia has to learn that the past was not always glorious, and Lizzie has to learn to let go of her fear…though all of them have good reasons to hold onto their baggage. It just goes to show that no matter how good your reasoning is, God still requires our faith. Such a good book. I already want to pick it up and flip through the pages again. Highly Recommended!

About

High-Stakes Drama Meets High-Tension Romance

In 1883 Michigan, Lily Young is on a mission to save her lost sister, or die trying. Heedless of the danger, her searches of logging camps lead her to Harrison and into the sights of Connell McCormick, a man doing his best to add to the hard-earned fortunes of his lumber baron father.

Posing during the day as a photographer’s assistant, Lily can’t understand why any God-fearing citizen would allow evil to persist and why men like Connell McCormick turn a blind eye to the crime rampant in the town. But Connell is boss-man of three of his father’s lumber camps in the area, and like most of the other men, he’s interested in clearing the pine and earning a profit. He figures as long as he’s living an upright life, that’s what matters.

Lily challenges everything he thought he knew, and together they work not only to save her sister but to put an end to the corruption that’s dominated Harrison for so long.

Review

No one can take a historical event and bring it to life quite like Ms. Hedlund. This novel is just another example of her fine abilities as a writer. Though this novel took me a few chapters before I was completely pulled in, once I got pulled in, I didn’t want to put it down. I enjoyed the character of Connell, especially his love of math, I thought that made him a unique kind of hero. Lily, however, was a bit annoying to me. I could understand her reasons and her passions, but the way she went about doing things often seemed a bit selfish. That said, overall, it was an enjoyable read. Spiritually, Connell has to realize that as a servant of God, you can’t ignore evil. It only grows bigger. You must face it. How timely. Recommend it!

About

Seth Kincaid survived a fire in a cave, but he’s never been the same. He was always a reckless youth, but now he’s gone over the edge. He ran off to the Civil War and came back crazier than ever.
After the war, nearly dead from his injuries, it appears Seth got married. Oh, he’s got a lot of excuses, but his wife isn’t happy to find out Seth doesn’t remember her. Callie has searched, prayed, and worried. Now she’s come to the Kincaid family’s ranch in Colorado to find her lost husband.
Callie isn’t a long-suffering woman. Once she knows her husband is alive, she wants to kill him. She’s not even close to forgiving him for abandoning her.
Then more trouble shows up in the form of a secret Seth’s pa kept for years. The Kincaid brothers might lose their ranch if they can’t sort things out. It’s enough to drive a man insane–but somehow it’s all making Seth see things more clearly. And now that he knows what he wants, no one better stand in his way.

Review

Having read the other two Kincaid novels, I was most excited to read this one. I think Seth is my favorite brother, perhaps because he is the most endearing. When reading a Connealy book, however, I have to prepare myself for some light-hearted fun. The men are strong, but the women are fierce. I will admit, at times it’s a little strange to me, how impressive these women are, but then I’m not from Texas ;)This novel starts off with a bang and pulls you in right away. There were moments when I had to suspend my disbelief at times, but overall, if you like Ms. Connealy then this book doesn’t disappoint. There weren’t too many characters that I got lost in the novel and the romance between Seth and Callie, though not deep, had time to develop. Honestly, I really liked the way she wrapped things up in this series and would look forward to a fourth one about you-know-who!

If you want to learn more about this novel check out:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeSzqacHzQM&list=UUOTCh77FT1ZAyg-Mrj97HWw&index=2&feature=plcp

*I received a compliementary copy of this novel to review, my opinion was not affected in any way*

About
On a bitter December day in 1785, Silas Ballantyne arrives at the door of master blacksmith Liege Lee in York, Pennsylvania. Just months from becoming a master blacksmith himself, Silas is determined to finish his apprenticeship and move west. But Liege soon discovers that Silas is a prodigious worker and craftsman and endeavors to keep him in York. Silas becomes interested in both of Liege’s daughters, the gentle and faith-filled Eden and the clever and high-spirited Elspeth. When he chooses one, will the other’s jealousy destroy their love?

In this sweeping family saga set in western Pennsylvania, one man’s choices in love and work, in friends and enemies, set the stage for generations to come. Love’s Reckoning is the first entry in The Ballantyne Legacy, a rich, multi-layered historical quartet from talented writer Laura Frantz, beginning in the late 1700s and following the Ballantyne family through the end of the Civil War.

Review

So I have been waiting for this book, oh, sense, I finished The Colonel’s Lady! And it was well worth the wait! This novel, if anything, showed how flexible and how great a writer Ms. Frantz is. It takes you out of that Kentucky mindset and places you in Pennsylvannia (this land was once untamed) and introduces you to two wonderful people: Eden and Silas. And some not so wonderful people. Who shall remain nameless. Eden is a character who fits her time. Somehow she is strong and admirable and sensitive and sweet. You can’t help but like her. And Silas, what a hero! I like that he’s so reluctant to know Eden at first, it makes the romance so much sweeter. I found the ending unique. I wasn’t expecting it. But it worked. Spiritually, Eden learns that life may not go as planned, but that has never stopped God. Such a great book that you won’t want to put down. Highly Recommended!

P.S. Want to know more about this book? Stay tuned, yours truly has interviewed the lovely Ms. Laura Frantz!