Reviewing: A Patchowork Past

...from the publisher...

When wild child Sophie Deiner--the daughter of an Amish bishop--is forced to return to Nappanee, Indiana, quilt-shop owner Jane Berger is one of only a few who welcome her back. It's the last place she wants to be, but Sophie's recent illness requires that she recover for a while.

As Sophie heals, she befriends a group of migrant workers and is appalled to learn of the wretched living conditions they're forced to endure. Sophie begins advocating on their behalf, but soon finds herself opposed by an ex-boyfriend who is the farm foreman.


Jane begins relating the story of an Amish couple who rescued survivors of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, many of whom were Irish immigrants. And Sophie is more convinced than ever that she needs to fight for the powerless. But when digging deeper makes conditions even worse, has she chosen a fight she can't win?

...my thoughts...

Coming back to Nappanee, Indiana, we learn Sophie's story. In ill health she has a lot of bridges to mend, some created by misunderstanding and gossip and others simply by the tangled web of feelings between mother and daughter.  It was good to see the story of her relationship between Sophie and her mother come to light.  The complications created by expectations and lack of understanding are complicated and the author did a good job revealing this, often through the family stories shared by Jane Berger around the quilting circle. 

 I am a fan of Amish fiction, and  have often enjoyed reading Leslie Gould's work. I was, however, disappointed in this book with it's political slant and nearly didn't finish it. However, I wanted to see how things turned out for Sophie and for Jane to finally finish her story on the Chicago fire. I received an advance copy of this book from Bethany House publishers from netgalley.com for an honest review.  My opinions are my own.

Shadows of the White City

...from the publisher...

The one thing Sylvie Townsend wants most is what she feared she was destined never to have--a family of her own. But taking in Polish immigrant Rose Dabrowski to raise and love quells those fears--until seventeen-year-old Rose goes missing at the World's Fair, and Sylvie's world unravels.

Brushed off by the authorities, Sylvie turns to her boarder, Kristof Bartok, for help. He is Rose's violin instructor and the concertmaster for the Columbian Exposition Orchestra, and his language skills are vital to helping Sylvie navigate the immigrant communities where their search leads.                                                                                                                                          

From the glittering architecture of the fair to the dark houses of Chicago's poorest neighborhoods, they're taken on a search that points to Rose's long-lost family. Is Sylvie willing to let the girl go? And as Kristof and Sylvie grow closer, can she reconcile her craving for control with her yearning to belong?

...my thoughts... 

Shadows of the White City by Jocelyn Green is book 2 of the Windy City Saga. While I believe this book can stand alone, I read about three  pages and decided to purchase the first book, Veiled in Smoke.  I simply wanted more of the story about the two sisters, Meg and Sylvie. I am glad I made this decision. I haven't read Jocelyn Green's work before and have quickly become a fan.  I received an advance reader copy from the publisher, Bethany House, for review, so this was a good introduction to Jocelyn's work.  

Simply put, this is a fine piece of historical fiction. The Chicago World's Fair of 1893 is the setting but with all the detail about the exhibits and famous celebrities, it could almost be considered as one more character in our story.  I enjoyed the intrigue involved in the story when Rose disappears and how it brought Sylvie and Kristof closer.  Kristof has troubles of his own yet he is willing to help Sylvie in every way possible. The fair was vast and this small group of connected people whose lives were intertwined within its confines kept this story moving. Inside the cover is a map of the exposition and I referred to it as our characters moved within its boundaries.  I recommend this book to those who love historical fiction with a little bit of added romance and mystery.  Well researched and very thoughtfully written.

 

Reviewing: The Sowing Season by Katie Powner

...from the publisher...

After he's forced to sell the family farm he's labored on his whole life, 63-year-old Gerrit Laninga doesn't know what to do with himself. He sacrificed everything for the land--his time, his health, his family--with nothing to show for it but bitterness, regret, and two grown children who want nothing to do with him.

Fifteen-year-old Rae Walters has growing doubts and fears about The Plan--the detailed blueprint for high school that will help her follow in her lawyer father's footsteps. She's always been committed to The Plan, but now that the pressure to succeed is building, what was supposed to unite her family in purpose, may end up tearing it apart.

When their paths cross just as they each need a friend the most, Gerrit's and Rae's lives begin to change in unexpected ways. Can they discover together what really matters in life and learn it's never too late for a second chance?

...my thoughts... 

I didn't know what to expect the first time I opened the pages to The Sowing Season.  Inside was a surprise that filled me each time I turned a page to see what was happening to Gerrit and Rae.  I felt torn between laughter and compassion for Gerrit. After selling a farm that totally consumed his life, he was confronted with time; time to see what he missed all the days and nights while he worked a farm that, in the end, provided nothing meaningful in his life. Except memories.

Rae was the perfect daughter. She had a bright disposition, was number one in her class and volunteered in all the right places in order to check off the boxes on her long list of "must-do's" to secure her a spot at Columbia University.  She was so perfect she wasn't really enjoying life.

It is amazing that Rae and Gerrit found each other. It was even more amazing that they became friends.  He could have been her grandfather. She could have been the daughter who gave up on him when he was too busy working on the family farm.  Yet, he saw the real Rae.  She saw a man who was waiting to change.

I enjoyed this book and recommend it for those who enjoy a good story.  I recommend it all the more for young and old alike as it bridges what people of a certain age used to call the "generation gap". It appeals because the characters are so human.  Reading The Sowing Season was my introduction to Katie Powner's work and I look forward to more in the future. 

The Dress Shop on King Street

...from the publisher...

Harper Dupree has pinned all her hopes on a future in fashion design. But when it comes crashing down around her, she returns home to Fairhope, Alabama, and to Millie, the woman who first taught her how to sew. As Harper rethinks her own future, long-hidden secrets about Millie's past are brought to light.

In 1946, Millie Middleton--the daughter of an Italian man and a Black woman--boarded a train and left Charleston to keep half of her heritage hidden. She carried with her two heirloom buttons and the dream of owning a dress store. She never expected to meet a charming train jumper who changed her life forever . . . and led her yet again to a heartbreaking choice about which heritage would define her future.

Now, together, Harper and Millie return to Charleston to find the man who may hold the answers they seek . . . and a chance at the dress shop they've both dreamed of. But it's not until all appears lost that they see the unexpected ways to mend what frayed between the seams.

...my thoughts...

 The Dress shop on King Street is Millie's journey back to those early days when life seemed to be full of dreams of owning her own dress shop. An excellent seamstress, she longed to create beautiful fashions in her own shop. Fate and circumstances changed her life forever when she left Charleston for Fairhope Alabama.  Along the way, she met her wonderful husband and began a life that may have seemed temporary at first, just until she was able to open that dress shop.  Then, after the birth of her daughters, she begins to straddle two worlds. As the story unfolds, so to does a mystery of Millie's true identity and links to a past that she was finally ready to rediscover.  

Millie is a wonderful character and this reader wanted to learn more about her.  Ashley Clark has captured the spirit of a woman who led a very private life because of the circumstances of her birth. Mysterious and beautiful, accomplished and shy. She held secrets in her heart, yet her husband loved her for who she truly was.  Her signature red hat was her trademark companion over decades that brought love, pain and changes in a world that was very different than that day in 1946 when she was looking into that dress shop on King street. I enjoyed reading this book and thank #BethanyHouse and #netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

 
 

 

Reviewing: Forever by Your Side (Willamett Brides Book #3) by Tracie Peterson

...from the publisher...

After years of schooling on the East Coast, Constance Browning returns to Oregon and the reservation where she grew up with her missionary parents. She is accompanied by Thomas Lowell, her best friend and colleague, and together they embark on a project to catalogue the native peoples of Oregon for the Bureau of American Ethnology. But Connie and Tom have another purpose--to prove her parents are not involved in a secret conspiracy to goad the oppressed tribes into a doomed war.

Connie finds life on the reservation much bleaker than she remembered, and she is glad to have Tom by her side. But she also becomes reacquainted with Clint Singleton, the government agent on whom she had a crush as a girl. Now that she's back, Clint finally seems interested in her, but Connie is no longer sure of her feelings. As tensions on the reservation rise and war looms ever closer, Connie and Tom search for whoever is truly behind the uprising. With danger unfolding amid shocking revelations, Connie will also have a revelation of the heart.

...my thoughts... 

Fans of award-winning author Tracie Peterson will relish reading Forever by Your Side.  There is a bit of mystery involved in the story and Constance, teaming up with Thomas are determined to solve it. Getting to the bottom of the situation proves dangerous and leads to suspicions that are unfounded.  As the truth unfolds, Constance and Thomas learn more about their feelings toward one another in the midst of their peril.  Sometimes, that great love of your life is right where you are.

Historical fiction is a genre I enjoy.  There are parts of the history of our great country that we are not proud of, yet they did occur. Forever by Your Side is book three in Tracie Peterson's Willamette  Brides series. This book is recommended to those who enjoy reading the history of the Pacific Northwest.

Piecing It All Together by Leslie Gould Is Rich, Entertaining and Heartwarming

...from the publisher...
When Savannah Mast's fiance dumps her a week before their wedding, she flees California for the safety of her Amish grandmother's farm near Nappanee, Indiana. She's not planning on staying long but becomes unexpectedly entangled in the search for a missing Amish girl. She can't leave--especially not when her childhood friend Tommy Miller is implicated as a suspect.
When Savannah accompanies her grandmother to Plain Patterns, a nearby quilt shop, the owner and local historian, Jane Berger, relates a tale about another woman's disappearance back in the 1800s that has curious echoes to today.

Inspired by the story, Savannah does all she can to find the Amish girl and clear Tommy's name. But when her former fiance shows up, begging her to return to California and marry him after all, she must choose between accepting the security of what he has to offer or continuing the complicated legacy of her family's faith.

...my thoughts... 
The title Piecing It All Together is so fitting for this story as it pieces the past along with the present as though each piece was part of a whole.  Savannah Mast's heart was broken but when she landed in Nappanee, her upset world was only the beginning of the whirlwind she found at her grandmother's.  Like most quilt shops, Plain Patterns was a haven for the women in the community to learn the comings and goings of the small town. The events, which for a sleepy Amish community run at a fast clip, unfold events in Savannah's own life that put more than her broken heart into perspective. She was drawn to the circle of quilters, especially Jane, who possessed the amazing gift of sharing stories of her ancestors who settled the area long before the town was born.

I enjoyed this book. To write the journey of one woman is one thing, but to write two women's stories is another matter and to do it well, takes the talents of a writer like Leslie Gould.  I found myself favoring Emma's story over Savannah's, only to realize both women's stories were so good.  Each woman had compelling events in her life that makes her stronger. It is interesting to see how the past, however far removed, can be relevant to our stories today.  Well written, with very interesting characters, Piecing It All Together is not your average book of Amish fiction.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bethany House for an advance reader copy of this book.  All opinions are truly my own.


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A Bride of Convenience A Wonderful Story by Jody Hedlund About The Bride Ships from England

...from the publisher...
Unemployed mill worker Zoe Hart jumps at the opportunity to emigrate to British Columbia in 1863 to find a better life and be reunited with her brother, who fled from home after being accused of a crime.

Pastor to miners in the mountains, Abe Merivale discovers an abandoned baby during a routine visit to Victoria and joins efforts with Zoe, one of the newly arrived bride-ship women, to care for the infant. While there, he's devastated by the news from his fiancee in England that she's marrying another man.

With mounting pressure to find the baby a home, Zoe accepts a proposal from a miner of questionable character after he promises to help her locate her brother. Intent on protecting Zoe and frustrated by his failed engagement, Abe offers his own hand as groom. After a hasty wedding, they soon realize their marriage of convenience is not so convenient after all.

...my thoughts...
After 114 days the Robert Lowe arrived in Victoria Britsh Columbia on January 12, 1863. Thirty-eight brides were on board, all unemployed cotton mill workers. A sharp contrast from the Tynemouth, the first Columbia Mission Society brideship, which combined an equal number of wealthy middle-class gentlewomen and poor laborers.  The miners who were anxious for the brides to arrive wouldn't mind a bit to marry any one of the women on board.

Zoe Hart was beyond ready to land.  She was glad to be shut of the oppressive life she left behind in Manchester and eager to begin her search for her long lost twin brother Zeke. Zeke left a few years before under a cloud that no longer existed. The opportunity was tremendous to have a fresh start.  I liked Zoe's character from the start.

 "Heard Captain Verney saying there's hundreds of fellas on the shore"...
"All I need is one," Zoe Chimed in. The right one."
"Handsome?"
"Aye a handsome fella and a good kisser."

Her personality was entertaining and all the time caring for others.  My heart went out to her several times in the book but she is one woman who is true to herself and those she meets.  If she could take care of every child on their own or others in need she would have.  If her husband viewed her as just a convenience, so be it. Her goodness was a breath of fresh air in her new home town of Yale and she fast became a favorite.

Abe Merivale wasn't looking for a bride and with nearly two more years left for his position as a missionary with the Church of England, it wasn't feasible.  He would go home, marry Lizzy and one day become a bishop.  It was all laid out for him.  Until, he met Zoe.  Zoe, who wanted to rock the boat and keep Violet, an orphaned native baby.  Nothing would stand in her way, and Abe, in an absent minded misunderstanding moment, married her.

Jody Hedlund, in her wonderful style, has created a story that has a few bends in the road to this marriage.  Zoe was so unexpected in her role as the wife of a clergyman.  It shows that life is so unexpected and often the best laid plans are best set aside so that one can hear God's own plans, which are often the best of what could be imagined.  I recommend A Bride of Convenience for all who love historical Christian fiction.  Once again, the research is impeccable and this era of settling the west is very intriguing.  The brave women who traveled from England down around South America and  up the Pacific truly have a place in our history.

To check out my reviews of Jody's Bride Ships Series check out my blog posts:

A Reluctant Bride 

The Runaway Bride

At Love's Command A Wonderful Story of the Old West

...from the publisher...

Haunted by the horrors of war, ex-cavalry officer Matthew Hanger leads a band of mercenaries known as Hanger's Horsemen who have become legends in 1890s Texas. They defend the innocent and obtain justice for the oppressed. But when a rustler's bullet leaves one of them at death's door, they're the ones in need of saving.

Dr. Josephine Burkett is used to men taking one look at her skirts and discounting her medical skills. What she's not used to is having a man change his mind in a heartbeat and offer to assist her in surgery. Matthew Hanger's dedication to his friend during recovery earns Josephine's respect, and when she hears of her brother's abduction, he becomes her only hope for rescue.

Matt has stared down ruthless outlaws, betrayal, and injury, but when a bossy lady doctor crawls under his skin, his heart is tempted to surrender. And when she is caught in the crossfire, he may have to sacrifice everything--even his team--to save her.

...my thoughts...
At Love's Command by Karen Witemeyer is a satisfying story of adventure and romance.  Dr. Jo was not at all who Matt Hanger expected when he brought gravely injured Mark Wallace to her door.  He expected a man.  He wasn't sure she was up to saving Wallace but she was his only hope.  And hope he did because he met his match in this fiery woman doctor.

Josephine Burkett worked hard to get the town to accept her as their physician.  She didn't need a member of the famed Hanger's Horsemen to come in and upset her practice.  What a surprise for both of them when they discovered a bond that would unite them through the gravest conflict of their lives.

I enjoyed this book because it is entertaining, witty and portrays a woman who stepped out in courage as a doctor in the old west.  It is also carries a serious side with characters who show their courage and committment as they battle for their lives and the life of Jo's reckless brother. Spoiled and out of money, he got more than he bargained for when his latest scheme for money endangered all he held dear. This is one of those books that is a perfect addition for that summer reading list.  I received an advance reader copy of this book for review but my opinions and recommendations are my own.  Pick up a copy at your favorite bookseller.

Reviewing: The Trustworthy One by Shelley Shepard Gray

...from the publisher...
Kendra Troyer always knew she would leave Walnut Creek the first chance she got. When she was accepted into design school, she tried her best not to look back at the four siblings she was abandoning, but ahead to Columbus, where she was determined to stay—far away from her abusive home and far away from Nate Miller, the boy she vowed to despise for the rest of her life.

Though she suffered through dark times in Columbus, Kendra found her faith in the Lord again, and years later, when she learned one of her good friends had died, she realized it was time to go home to those she left behind.

Back in Walnut Creek, Kendra has a life she never could have imagined: her own design shop, a pretty little house, and a tight-knit group of friends. After she settles down, though, unexpected visitors come knocking and dark memories begin to resurface. Complicating things even further is the ever-present Nate Miller, who now owns the hardware store two doors down and whose very presence stirs in Kendra a fierce need to turn away and hide from her past. But Nate is persistent in setting things right between them.

As Kendra tries to come to terms with the anger she holds from her childhood, will she be able to open her heart to forgiveness and find the comfort she has always longed for in Walnut Creek?

...my thoughts...
The Trustworthy One, is the latest book in the Walnut Creek series by Shelley Shepard Gray.  This is a continuing story of how seven friends unite after the death of their good friend Andy. We are touched by many in our lives, for reasons we don't know.  Sometimes we are touched even more by their deaths.  The lessons we learn as we live on are often rewarding if we look back and notice the subtle cues found in our memories.

Kendra Troyer grew up in less than normal circumstances and fled her abusive home as soon as she could get away.  She left behind cruel parents and her younger siblings, who relied on her resilience and generous spirit to see them through their tough circumstances.  As life often does, she found herself once again in Walnut Creek.  The one person she didn't want to meet again, Nate Miller is there, in her presence at every turn. As a child, he seemed to be near at every awkward moment of her young life.  For all the troubles she left behind, she encountered more out in the English world.  It is when she is back in Walnut  Creek, and faces those she left behind that she learns the value of trust and forgiveness.  Shelley Shepard Gray is a gifted writer whose books are not just entertaining but rich in human nature.  I enjoyed this book, a story of true friendship, and recommend it without reservation to anyone who likes heartwarming stories. 

Reviewing: More Than We Remember by Christina Suzann Nelson

...from the publisher...
One night changes everything for three women. . . .

When Addison Killbourn's husband is involved in a car accident that leaves a woman dead, her perfectly constructed life crumbles apart. With her husband's memory of that night gone and the revelation of a potentially life-altering secret, Addison has to reevaluate all she thought she knew.

Emilia Cruz is a deputy bearing a heavy burden far beyond the weight of her job. Her husband is no longer the man she married, and Emilia's determined to prevent others from facing the same hardship. When she's called to the scene of an accident pointing to everything she's fighting against, she's determined to see justice for those wronged.

Brianne Demanno is hiding from reality. She was thriving as a counselor, but when tragedy struck a beloved client, she lost faith in herself and her purpose. When her neighbors, the Killbourns, are thrown into crisis, Brianne's solitary life is disrupted and she finds herself needed in a way she hasn't been in a while.

As the lives of these women intersect, they can no longer dwell in the memory of who they've been. Can they rise from the wreck of the worst moments of their lives to become who they were meant to be?

...my thoughts...
More Than We Remember was an incredible mystery.  At first glance, it seemed like a run of the mill accident that ended in tragedy.  However, with Emilia's persistence in making sure justice is served in a wrongful death case, everything seems to unravel.  She is up against the world when the accident involves the town's beloved coach.  Her own world has been upside down since a terrible accident has left her husband disabled and her middle school daughter is looking to assert her independence.  It may not make her popular to press charges in the case, but her conscience won't let it be.

Caleb has no memory of the accident.  He recently moved his family in with his mother in order to build the home of their dreams.  Dutiful wife Addison is wary of this new life.  Her mother-in-law lapses between the past and present and with her husband's mysterious whereabouts the night of the accident she struggles to keep her family together to face whatever happens as the case is investigated. It is her friendship with Brianne, their nearest neighbor that helps her juggle all the balls in the air that she has to deal with. 

Often, we read stories in the news and at first glance they seem cut and dry.  An accident where the driver seemingly is impaired paints the picture of someone guilty on so many levels.  Add a small town into the mix and soon there are many versions of what happened, who did it and why aren't things happening quicker.  Each character in this book has a lot going on in their lives.  They intertwine in such a way that the reader stays engaged to the end, where things are solved.   One can go from sadness, to elation, to being puzzled in the span of a half hour.   I enjoyed this book.  The characters are compelling and the ending is a surprise.  I recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a good mystery without all of the cookie cutter trappings one often finds on the mystery shelves.  This is the first book I have read by Christina Suzann Nelson and it will not be the last!

Many thanks to Bethany House, who provided me with an advanced copy to review.  Opinions expressed are my own. 

Seconds To Live by Susan Sleeman - Fast Paced and Heart Pounding Suspense`

...from the publisher... 

When cybercriminals hack into the US Marshals' Witness Protection database and auction off witnesses' personal details to the highest bidders, the RED Team led by FBI Agent Sean Nichols begins a high-stakes chase to find the hacker. But before he can even get started, the first witness is targeted and barely escapes with her life. Sean believes Phantom, an obsessed hacker who previously outwitted the top minds in the field, is behind the attack, and Sean needs this witness's help, as she's the person who has come closest to discovering Phantom's identity.

Trouble is, she's a witness under the care of US Marshal Taylor Mills, and Sean is reluctant to work with the captivating marshal who knows his deepest secrets. But Phantom claims he knows where the witness is hiding and will kill her, so to stop the hacker, Sean and Taylor must work through their personal pain and learn to trust each other. . . . The seconds are ticking down before someone dies.
 
...my thoughts...
From the moment I opened Seconds To Live I was hooked.  I haven't read anything by Susan Sleeman before and believe me when I say that I was pleased to find this author.

Cybercrime hits the  U.S. Marshal's Witness Protection Database in a big way. It is a race against time to capture a high profile hacker who is out for revenge.  There are no second chances for his victims and he seems to see anyone who has had the slightest encounter with the RED team of experts assigned to bring him in. These are the things I enjoy about suspense novels.  It is edgy and keeps the reader coming back for just a few more pages.  A few more leads to another chapter and pretty soon it is after 1:00 in the morning!

The main characters are pretty closed off at first and as the story unfolds, so too does the character development of Sean and Taylor.  I liked this book for the story and the team who worked so hard together, under difficult circumstances.  It gave me an even greater respect for those members of law enforcement who are honest, hard working and dedicated to their jobs. 

I was given a copy of this book  for an honest review from Bethany House Publishers but the opinions expressed here are mine.  Seconds To Live is Book One in the Homeland Heroes series.  I am already looking forward to Book Two.

Add Forever Hidden by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse to Your Reading List

...from the publisher...

For Havyn Powell, growing up on her grandfather Chuck Bondrant's dairy outside the 1904 gold-rush boomtown of Nome, Alaska, offered all she needed. She had the love of her mother, two sisters, and grandfather. But now, at 23, Havyn realizes the stability of her life may soon vanish. Havyn is determined to find a way to keep the family together, but her grandfather's health is declining and everyone seems to be holding secrets from each other, including the handsome, dark-haired stranger who recently arrived.

John Roselli arrives in Nome looking for a steady, consistent job. He has grown tired of the promises of getting rich quick and just wants an honest job with honest pay. His grandfather once knew a Chuck Bondrant, and so when John arrives at the dairy, he's quickly offered a job--and a path to more if he wants it.

Havyn's plan for helping out the family means using her beautiful singing voice and her sisters' musical talent at a local roadhouse. They're an immediate hit, and it looks like her plan will be a success. But the spotlight brings with it dangerous eyes that covet Havyn and are jealous as she and John grow ever closer. But will they realize the peril before it's too late

...my thoughts...

Fans of Tracie Peterson will enjoy Forever Hidden, because of her experience writing rich novels set in Alaska.  Collaborating with Kimberley Woodhouse for this new Treasures of Nome series enriches the story with her musical background.  The book is filled with the three Powell sisters who are woven together as a musical tapestry that plays an integral role in the family's survival when their grandfather has a stroke. 

Moving to Alaska after the death of their father meant something different to everyone in the family.  The  impact was profound, as forgiveness and trust are woven throughout this story.  As a reader, one has the privilege of seeing and understanding each character.  In fiction, as in life, we react to things because of our life experiences.  It is when we are open to seeing situations with fresh eyes that we begin to understand, forgive and trust.  

I recommend this book to readers who enjoy well written historical Christian fiction.  I particularly liked the setting in the Alaska gold rush heyday.  This book begs for a sequel or two, because every sister has a story to tell!  

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Reviewing: Hope's Highest Mountain by Misty M Beller

...from the publisher...

Ingrid Chastain readily agreed to accompany her father to deliver vaccines to a mining town in the Montana Territory. She never could have anticipated a terrible accident would leave her alone and badly injured in the wilderness. When rescue comes in the form of a mysterious mountain man who

Micah Bradley left his work as a doctor after unintentionally bringing home the smallpox disease that killed his wife and daughter. But his self-imposed solitude in the wilds of Montana is broken when he finds Ingrid in desperate need of medical attention, and he's forced to face his regret and call on his doctoring skills once again.

Micah can't help but admire Ingrid's tenacious determination despite the severity of her injuries, until he learns the crate she brought contains smallpox vaccines to help quell a nearby outbreak. With Ingrid dead set on trekking through the mountains to deliver the medicine--with or without his help--he has no choice but to accompany her. As they set off through the treacherous, snow-covered Rocky Mountains against all odds, the journey ahead will change their lives more than they could have known.  
tends her injuries, she's hesitant to put her trust in this quiet man who seems to have his own wounds.

...my thoughts...

Misty M. Beller's Hope's Highest Mountain is a well written and compelling story. The premise of the book is not one I normally select but the description and setting caught my eye. The author drew me in within the first few pages. I could feel Ingrid's wariness as she submitted to this strange man's care.  He was so different than anyone she had ever met.  Micah was a reluctant caregiver who overcame his own self doubts and made healing Ingrid's injuries his priority.  Again and again he took up her challenges, first providing for her care and then forging a difficult path to deliver the vaccines.  I felt the cold and shivered as Ingrid and Micah traveled under less than ideal circumstances through the mountains.

Throughout their journey Micah was tested.  His courage and willingness to stretch his will to care for Ingrid was inspiring, considering his long held feelings of guilt over the deaths of his wife and daughter. Micah is my favorite character in this book.  Ingrid's determination, while admirable, wasn't practical, considering her injuries and the terrible weather conditions for travel. However, Micah risked even more as he tirelessly planned and carried out their journey to the mining town.  It was dangerous. She was severely injured and the two combined made the journey all the more treacherous. The inner turmoil for him was just as much a struggle. He escaped to this life of solitude for the very reasons she was tasking him with.

This book is for the reader who likes adventurous journeys with that little added touch of romance.  I have not read and of Misty M Beller's books before, but this will no doubt not be the last.  Many thanks to Bethany House for the opportunity to read this book for review.  My opinions are my own.

Reviewing: A Reluctant Bride by Jody Hedlund

A Reluctant Bride by Jody Hedlund is a wonderful story about bringing brides from England to British Columbia in 1862.  The women who boarded the Tynemouth did so not knowing what their fate would be upon their arrival.  They left all behind and there would be no turning back once the ship sailed.

Our heroine, Mercy Wilkins, knew she was just one more burden to her family if she stayed at home and wasn't going to settle for life in the workhouse or on the streets.  But marriage was definitely not in he plans.  She was a gifted nurse, with no formal training except love for others and the desire to care for the sick.  It was her talent for nursing that led the wealthy Dr. Joseph Colville to seek her assistance among the sick aboard ship.   Working side by side worked out well for some time since they both had no intention of marrying.  The best intentions, however, don't work out at times.

I like this book because at the heart of this story is a young woman who had very little that she left behind.  She saw what her parent's lives were like with little or nothing coming in to support a large family.  Poverty caused her mother to do things that Mercy never wanted to emulate in her own life.  It took courage for  her to swallow her pride and board ship.  She, like the real life women who left England to help settle the western part of our world blazed the trail for life as we know it today.  This book is Mercy's story but there were others on board that ship and not all were poor, at least not financially.  For whatever reason that led the women to seek that new life, they were all starting over from scratch, with no class or society to dictate.

Once again, Jody Hedlund has written an amazing historical novel that I recommend with 5 stars. Her research, as usual, is impeccable and the story is one that is very compelling.  A Reluctant Bride is Book one in The Bride Ships series and already, I am eagerly waiting for the release of book two, The Runaway Bride in March 2020!
 

Karen Witemeyer's More Than Words Can Say

...what the publisher says... 

After fulfilling a pledge to a dying friend, Zacharias Hamilton is finally free. No family entanglements. No disappointing those around him. Just the quiet bachelor existence he's always craved. Until fate snatches his freedom away when the baker of his favorite breakfast bun is railroaded by the city council. Despite not wanting to get involved, he can't turn a blind eye to her predicament . . . or her adorable dimples.

Abigail Kemp needs a man's name on her bakery's deed. A marriage of convenience seems the best solution . . . if it involves a man she can control. That person definitely isn't the stoic lumberman who oozes silent confidence whenever he enters her shop. Control Zacharias Hamilton? She can't even control her pulse when she's around him.
When vows are spoken, Abigail's troubles should be over. Yet threats to the bakery worsen, and darker dangers hound her sister. Can she put ever more trust in Zach without losing her dreams of independence? 

...my thoughts... 

 More Than Words Can Say, Karen Witemeyer's book #2 in A Patchwork Family Novel series is entertaining, heartwarming and full of surprises.  Zach and Abigail are bound to capture your  heart.  All the foibles they manage to get through make them as believable as your neighbor.  There is a depth of character, though, that the reader goes through as the story reveals more of what they have both experienced while growing up.

I found this book is as serious as it is amusing.  It shows that life can throw curve balls, but it is how you handle them that either gives you mettle or makes you bitter and withdrawn.  When Abigail is faced with trial after trial at the expense of an unforgiving former friend, she relentlessly moves forward as she prays for God's guidance.  When she is finally faced with the possibility of losing her business through a long forgotten law, she garners all resources and meets the challenge head on.  Only her head is very in touch with her heart, and as the story goes along, her heart warms to the idea that she does not have to take charge of everything on her own.  Her resilience, faith and growing love for Zach make this book one that you will want to have in your "To Read" pile.

Many thanks to Bethany House for providing me with an advanced copy of More than Words Can Say, although I was under no obligation to write a favorable review.  To learn more about  award winning author Karen Witemeyer, check out her website!  If you are like me and enjoy reading a series from the beginning, here is a link to my review of Karen's first book in the series: More Than Meets the Eye.

Reviewing: The Road Home by Beverly Lewis

...notes from the back cover....

"As the sun began to rise, Lena Rose leaned against the cool pane of the bus window and gazed out at the familiar landscape of her life. I'm leaving my family and everything I know behind. She sighed, trying to keep her composure.
Grieving the death of her Amish parents and the separation from her nine close-knit siblings, Lena Rose Schwartz consoles herself that her new life in Lancaster County won't be forever. Surely someday soon she will return to her beloved Michigan settlement, including her beau. But even as she holds on to hope for a reunion with those she loves most, she discovers that Lancaster holds charms of its own. Will she find the courage to open her heart to other possibilities?"

...my thoughts...

The Road Home by celebrated author Beverly Lewis was even better than I expected.  The story was easy to get into and hard to put down.  Lena Rose Schwartz is an amazing young woman who has a special gift of giving to others without hopes of anything in return.  She spreads joy in surprising places even through the pain of losing her parents and a long distance separation from her younger brothers and sisters.  

She was welcomed so warmly into the home of her father's second cousin Harley and his wife Mimi.  She soon felt like a member of their own family.  Her talents as a seamstress helped Mimi with her home sewing business.  People in her new community soon became attached to her as she touched their lives with unselfish kindness. It wasn't long before she caught the eye of handsome cabinet maker Arden Mast.  A relationship with him was not in her plans. She was determined to return to her family in Michigan as soon as a door opened to make that possible  Arden knew his home and family were in Pennsylvania and didn't plan to leave them.  She knew a friendship with him was safe.  

Yet even with the happy circumstance of being reunited with her family and her responsibilities towards them she felt as though she left part of her heart in Pennsylvania.  Oh I can't say how it ends but this is a good story you may just want to read twice!  I heartily recommend this book.  

I received my copy of The Road Home from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review but my thoughts are mine.