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Kylie Wilde is the youngest sister–and the most civilized. Her older sisters might be happy dressing in trousers and posing as men, but Kylie has grown her hair long and wears skirts every chance she gets. It’s a risk–they are homesteading using the special exemptions they earned serving in the Civil War as “boys”–but Kylie plans to make the most of the years before she can sell her property and return to the luxuries of life back East.

Local land agent Aaron Masterson is fascinated with Kylie from the moment her long hair falls from her cap. But now that he knows her secret, can he in good conscience defraud the U.S. government? And when someone tries to force Kylie off her land, does he have any hope of convincing her that marrying him and settling on the frontier is the better option for her future?

Review

I’ve read a lot of Mary Connealy novels and I really loved the first five or six novels she ever wrote. Then however, it seemed (to me anyway) that she was kind of rewriting the same story over and over. But this novel? This novel was different and I so enjoyed it! I’m really excited to read the rest of the series! My thoughts:

What I liked:

The characters. Like all of them. I loved Aaron’s pragmatic ways. He’s not fooled by much of anything, I love that Kylie is all girl and yet strong in ways you can’t even begin to comprehend. Bailey seems so complex and I can’t wait to read her story. I know Shannon’s got something up her sleeve and I wonder what that’s all about. Matthew Tucker? Gage Coulter? Yes, please.

The romance. One thing I really like about every Connealy novel I’ve ever read is her emphasis on marriage. I believe people got married in those days and not always for love. Survival was often key, and I love how she shows that. But I also think that she was able to show Kylie and Aaron fall in love with each other throughout the book so that it didn’t feel like they were each other’s only other options.

The history. I learned something about land-grabbing in those days.

The humor. Occasionally, Ms. Connealy’s books can be a bit over the top. Not this one. It was cute and funny and made sense to me.

Spiritually, there is this great theme on forgiveness and how if you let hatred fester, it will turn into bitterness and pretty much destroy your life.

What I didn’t like:

You know what? I liked everything about this book.

Romantic Scale: 8

**I received this novel from BethanyHouse. My opinion was not affected in anyway.**

About

Review

No one can give me my WWII fix quite like Sarah Sundin. With Ms. Sundin, I know I’m going to get accurate historical details, perfect flight maneuvers, and a slow-burning romance. Here’s my thoughts:

What I liked:

The delicately interwoven historical details in the novel. At no point did I feel like I was being constantly reminded that I was in the 1940s WWII era. Her characters just lived that time period. And WWII is a character itself as it takes people out of the war and brings new people in. And I learned something new!

We’re back with the old gang. Kay has been mentioned in the other two books in the series, and so I was excited to really meet her (and to catch up with Mellie and Georgie as well).

Kay. She’s a different kind of heroine who doesn’t start off like the other girls. Her past is a bit shady, and it really adds a different vibe to this novel that the others didn’t have. And yet, in spite of the fact that she’s not always on the straight and narrow, there’s a certain something about her that makes her trustworthy. I like that her personality is so well-developed in this book. By the end of it, you know what makes Kay tick and what words will upset her, and what makes her happy. She obviously changes and grows, but she manages to hold onto who she is.

Roger. I like Roger. I like that Roger has plans and goals and a past as well as a future. I like that he listens to God and is obedient and still has a hard time growing up. I mean, the man plays the drums. How original is that!

The romance. It was slow, and it was perfect. Roger finds Kay attractive, but he’s not interested in her at first and so the book does a fabulous job of bringing them together.

Spiritually, this book does a wonderful job showing what grace and God’s forgiveness actually looks like and how you have to walk it out.

What I didn’t like:

I think towards the end (the last four chapters) the book got kind of long, and I just wanted to flip through to get to the end.

Also, one thing I’ve noted is the age group of these single WWII nurses and pilots…they’re kind of old (28-30) for their era. Not that this impacts the novel in anyway. It just stands out to me.

Overall, I really enjoyed this last book in the series. I didn’t want to put it down. I found myself completely invested in Kay and Roger and I hope you will to.

Romantic Scale: 8.8

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

I’m leaving the country this week for a much needed vacation. I am going to do my best to leave one more review before I catch my flight and maybe one when I get back. But if you don’t hear from me, I will be “back” and up and running again on August 11th. Happy Summer everyone and I hope you’re doing something fun!

Have you gone on vacation this year? Are you going somewhere this year? Tell me all about it!

About

I’ve read a couple of books lately that I recommend, but just couldn’t find a way to fit them in review-wise, at least not for a while. But that doesn’t mean you should miss out on them!

This is an American Revolution Romance novel that was very cute. Don’t worry about getting lost in historical details, its very romance focused, and put together really well. The only problem I had was that we were reminded that the heroine was so fair a lady…a couple of times. But read it, it’s lovely.

I’ve said it before, I’m not a huge Amish fiction fan, but this retelling of The Scarlet Letter was getting some rave reviews. It’s good, folks. Really really intense, drama out the ying yang,( though not entirely surprising if you’ve read The Scarlet Letter) and yet very good.

Anyone else a Christy and Todd fan? I was excited to get my hands on this novel. One thing Ms. Gunn does well is portray realistic romance and here we’ve got a realistic marriage. I definitely learned a thing or two for when I get married (one day!). For me, it was a bit slow in parts, but overall very exciting to read.

For me, the countdown begins for:

I can’t even describe how much I want this book. I think it all began when the previous one ended. This series has truly surprised me. The first book was just ok for me, the second book was amazing, and I’ve already heard great things about this one. So, if you haven’t started this series, get to it!

This is another 3rd book in a series. I love the way Ms. Sundin does history, and the development of her romances are always a treat!

Ms. Weber is a debut novelist, but not only has she been reviewed by Christian readers and loved, she’s been reviewed by secular readers and loved. And I’m thrilled that Christian novels are getting this kind of attention. Who knows the impact this book could make?

What are you counting down the days for?

About

They never should’ve existed.  Now they don’t.  In the aftermath of their first highly successful op, the first all-female special ops team, known as Zulu, discovered that innocent civilians—women and children—died at their hands. Zulu was set up to take the devastating fall.  Fearing for their lives, the Zulu team vanished. With new identities and spread across the globe, they live in relative but isolated peace—yet still haunted by the past. Terrified of being discovered.   Five years after that horrific night, they’ve begun to hope they might be safe and the tragedy forgotten.  Until two of them are murdered.

About

They want answers. They want redemption. And they want to live.   Five years ago, six soldiers made American military history as the first all-female Special Forces team, named Zulu. A tragic mistake in Misrata, Libya, leaves twenty-two innocents dead and Zulu fleeing for their lives. Now Jessica Herring and Candice Reyna are dead at the hand of an assassin, and Keeley Shay clings to life in a hospital. The last three Zulu members are forced into a fight for answers, for redemption, and for their very lives.  Annie Palermo and Téya Reiker had settled into their hidden identities when their lives are upended and their loved ones attacked. Annie’s flame, Samuel Caliguari, is a former Navy SEAL who can hold his own, but the attack leaves Annie livid—and fleeing once again. When Téya’s Amish loved ones are threatened, she must also hide. But how can she not go back and protect these peace-loving people, no matter the risk?  Nuala King never really settled after Misrata, and she can’t shake the horror of the disastrous mission, the lives lost, or the terrible nightmares that still haunt her.  Lieutenant Colonel Trace Weston and his right-hand man, Chief Warrant Officer Boone Ramage, struggle to hold the Zulu remnant together. They must track down who hit the team and deliver justice to the enemy—if Sam Caliguari and relentless Army intelligence analyst Lieutenant Francesca Solomon don’t get them all killed first. . . .

Review

If you haven’t heard of this 5-part series that is being released by Ronie Kendig, I’m here to tell you all about it…and to get it, cause it’s good!. I love that it’s serialized, how very Dickens of Ms. Kendig. I did decide however, not to review each one separately, but to do them in multiplies. My thoughts on the first two:

This novel starts off with a bang right away. I was immediately pulled in and I cared about all the girls on the Zulu team. There’s a lot of information that you don’t have, but that’s okay, because quite a few of the main characters don’t have them either. I was, at one point, worried how the author would manage all of the characters and their points of view, but I’m worried no longer. Somehow, in spite of the fact that there are a lot of characters, I’m not getting lost or losing the thread of the novel. If, like me, you’re wondering if she has some romance in this book, I can tell you she does, I cannot tell you much more since I haven’t finished the series. Long and short of it? Start this series, first part is free, second part you won’t want to put down.

**I received these copies from Netgalley. My opinion was not affected in anyway.**

About

The British Army has taken control of Michilimackinac Island and its fort, forcing the Americans to swear an oath of loyalty to the crown in order to retain their land. Pierre Durant is a fur trader who returns after being away from the island for years, only to find the family farm a shambles and those he cares about starving and at the mercy of British invaders.

Torn between the adventurous life of fur trading and guilt over neglecting his defenseless mother, Pierre is drawn deeper into the fight against the British–and into a relationship with Angelique MacKenzie, a childhood friend who’s grown into a beautiful woman. She now finds herself trapped by the circumstances of war and poverty, and the cruelty of her guardian, Ebenezer Whiley.

As tensions mount and the violence rages on, Pierre and Angelique must decide where their loyalties rest and how much they’ll risk for love.

Review

Jody Hedlund has become a frontrunner for writing  historical romance novels. My thoughts:

What I liked:

The setting. I liked that we’re presented with a different place and time for the American Revolutionary War. I was not familiar with this island in Michigan or this British military fort.

Angelique. Though there were times she made me a bit frustrated, I liked that she wasn’t your ordinary heroine. A lot of heroines claim to be tomboys, but Angelique really is, and becomes rather trustworthy when it comes to survival.

Pierre. I liked Pierre because he isn’t exactly like most heroes. He kind of only cared about himself. Sometimes this made me wonder about this guy, but it was realistic and very true to who he was.

The romance. I thought Pierre and Angelique managed to have a lot of chemistry. I’m not sure why, but I was definitely turning to the pages in this book.

Spiritually, the theme is trusting in God and not in your own devices. Both Pierre and Angelique try to make things happen without relying on God and learn that they get lost that way.

What I didn’t like

There is a love triangle that adds to the novel is an unflattering way. A couple times it threw a wrench in the story that just didn’t make any sense to me.

Romantic Scale: 8.9

Overall, a very easy, fast read that’s very cute and though it wasn’t my favorite Jody Hedlund, her writing is so amazing you’ll still be pulled in and want to stay.

**I received this novel from BethanyHouse. My opinion was not affected in anyway.**

About

Destitute,
grief-stricken, and unwanted by the people of God, Ruth arrives in Israel with
nothing to recommend her but Naomi’s, love. Her loftiest hope is to provide
enough food to save Naomi and herself from starvation. But
God has other plans for her life.

While
everyone considers Ruth an outcast, she is astounded to find one of the most honored men of Judah showing her favor.  Long since a
widower and determined to stay that way, Boaz is irresistibly drawn to the foreign
woman with the haunted eyes. He tells himself he is only being kind to his
Cousin Naomi’s chosen daughter when he goes out of his way to protect her from
harm, but his heart knows better.
 
Based on
the biblical account of Ruth, In the Field of Grace is the story of a love that
ultimately changes the course of Israel’s destiny and the future of the whole
world.

Review

I will admit that though Ruth is a phenomenal woman to read about in the Bible, her story is often retold and has since lost some of its luster. Here are my thoughts on Ms. Afshar’s version:

What I liked:

The best parts of the novel to me, were the parts that were of Afshar’s invention. Everything that was created outside of the Bible story, I found to be fascinating, particularly Boaz’s back story.

The fine details. The details of this book is what separates it from other retellings because it manages to bring Bethlehem and Moab to life, allowing the reader to really see what life must have been like in those times. With every Afshar novel, I find myself learning more and more unique things about the Jewish culture than I had not known.

The chemistry between Boaz and Ruth. It was so nicely done. You could see them falling for each other slowly, and also see what felt like, obstacles in their way.

I also liked the way that Ruth begins to win over the hearts of the Israelites, almost one day at a time.

Spiritually, Boaz has to learn to let go of his fear and place his trust in God and Ruth comes to know God in a real way.

What I didn’t like:

A lot of moments felt like they were almost verbatim from the Bible. And while that’s not a bad thing, I just found myself more or less drawn to the creative and unique tidbits of the novel that enhanced the Biblical narrative rather than the parts that were the Biblical narrative itself.  

Romantic Scale: 8

Overall, though not my favorite novel by Ms. Afshar, still a beautiful retelling.

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