Showing posts with label Historical Christian Fiction. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Softly Blows the Bugle by Jan Drexler

...from the publisher...

When Elizabeth Kaufman received the news of her husband's death at the Battle of Vicksburg in 1863, she felt only relief. She determined that she would never be at the mercy of any man again, even if it meant she would never have a family of her own. Then Aaron Zook comes home with her brother when the war ends two years later.

Despite the severity of his injuries, Aaron resolves to move West and leave the pain of the past behind him. He never imagined that the Amish way of life his grandfather had rejected long ago would be so enticing. That, and a certain widow he can't get out of his mind.

Yet, even in a simple community, life has a way of getting complicated. Aaron soon finds that while he may have left the battlefield behind, there is another fight he must win--the one for the heart of the woman he loves.
Welcome back to the Amish community at Weaver's Creek, where the bonds of family and faith bind up the brokenhearted.

...my thoughts...

Softly Blows the Bugle brings all promises of a good series to fruition. Jan Drexler's story of the Amish Community at Weaver's Creek has been a treat to read. The timing of this series, during, through and at the end of an important time in our country's history is worth reading. The Amish, pacifists at the core of their faith, were impacted by the Civil War, however remote it was geographically. The remnants of a terrible war scattered across the continent and touched the lives of the untouched.

I watched Elizabeth Kaufman's plight with interest since The Sound of Distant Thunder, book one in the series. Her marriage to an abusive Englischer separated her from her beloved family. Loneliness became her normal way of life. When Aaron Zook came home with her brother, it seemed to me that her life was about to change. Yet, it was not Aaron who captured her attention and that took the story to another level. One where someone portrayed a life of someone who was just too good to be true.

Considering the war had ended, there were those who pursued the leftover treasures to plunder. To those most crafty, there were ways to fill their coffers, bit by bit stealing from those who had just enough to add to a pile of ill gotten wealth. Jan Drexler's engaging style of writing keeps the reader's attention until the puzzle is solved and the hearts are truly won.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction. Although this book could be read as a standalone, it recommend reading The Amish of Weaver's Creek series.

Tuesday, October 6, 2020

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.

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

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

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Good Historical Fiction in The Light Before Day by Suzanne Woods Fisher

...from the publisher....

After three years on a whaling voyage, Henry Macy returns to Nantucket to news that his grandmother has passed, bequeathing her vast fortune to him and his sister, Hitty. And it was truly vast. But Lillian Coffin was no fool. The inheritance comes with a steep cost,

including when they should marry and whom--a Quaker in good standing, of course. But if they relinquish the inheritance, it all goes to Tristram Macy, their father's thieving business partner.

As Hitty and Henry seek a way to satisfy the will's conditions, they'll be faced with obstacles on every side--and it may be that Lillian Coffin will have the last word after all.

Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher surprises and delights with this story of hope and renewal, love and redemption, arriving just when most needed.

...my review...

I was intrigued by this book. Maybe it was the condition of Lillian Swain Coffin's will or maybe it was the development of the characters. Benjamin Foulger was a handsome young law clerk who was tasked to make sure all conditions of Henry and Hitty's grandmother's will were met. He was so accommodating to Henry's ideas, showed up when least expected and seemed to always be at the Grand House when dinner was served. Grandfather Jeremiah never took to Benjamin. Nobody knew why for sure and he didn't share. Both men were complex although many thought Jeremiah to be simpler than he was. You can't be sure what any man is thinking.

Jeremiah Macy was as seasoned cooper and knew plenty about whaling. He had great advice seasoned with the lore of his sea life. "If there's no wind, then row." This simple statement showed up many times between the pages of this story and each time it was used it seemed apt. Had this advice been heeded each time, many troubling events could have been avoided.

Good historical fiction is mingled with facts and people who made a difference in that era. Our country was about to face a tumultuous era as the Abolitionist Movement was just beginning. Anna Gardner was a well known Abolitionist Speaker and held conferences on segregationist issues. Including her within the story was well done and fitting for the time and events. Frederick Douglas made his first appearance at one of her conferences. While it took some time for slavery to be abolished, this movement had a an impact on the people of Nantucket who seemed to be a bit separate from the mainland. The Quakers, who are noted for friendship and peace were just as caught up in the issues of the day. I recommend this book for the story but also for the good writing by Suzanne Woods Fisher and her impeccable research. There is a little bit of mystery involved with this story and it will keep you guessing until the story comes to fruition. There is much to read and learn in this book!

Friday, October 5, 2018

The Sound of Distant Thunder by Jan Drexler

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

Katie Stuckey and Jonas Weaver are both romantics. Seventeen-year-old Katie is starry-eyed, in love with the idea of being in love, and does not want to wait to marry Jonas until she is eighteen, despite her parents' insistence. So much can happen in a year. Twenty-year-old Jonas is taken in by the romance of soldiering, especially in defense of anti-slavery, even though he knows war is at odds with the teachings of the church. When his married brother's name comes up in the draft list, he volunteers to take his brother's place. But can the commitment Katie and Jonas have made to each other survive the separation?

From the talented pen of Jan Drexler comes this brand new Amish series set against the backdrop of the Civil War. She puts her characters to the test as they struggle to reconcile their convictions and desires while the national conflict threatens to undermine and engulf their community.

...my thoughts...

If you have followed Jan Drexler's writing you find this book a bit different. Set during the Civil War in 1862, this story is compelling because of the role the war will play within the Amish community. The Amish people do not fight, choosing pacifism instead. When Jonas chose to take his brother's place in the Army, the war had a profound effect on him. He was a true believer and his faith was a light in his actions. HIs love for God, Katie and his family were as much a part of him whether he was home in the cornfields or along the battlefield in Fredericksburg.

I was inspired by Jonas. He was definitely a young man who wanted to marry young but he was willing to work hard to show was ready to marry Katie. Rather than get upset when Katie's father asked them to wait a year, he decided to take that time to clear land and build the home they would settle in.

I wasn't as sure about Katie. She was sure she was ready to marry at seventeen and it took Jonas to make her realize that the wait would make no difference, they would just be better prepared with their home. As the time passes and Jonas leaves for training, she began to change. She began to see how her actions could help others. She gained new understanding of her mother's dark moods and did what she could to ease the pain of old memories. Her love for Jonas never faltered and she grew into a formidable young woman whose strength stood difficult times. In the course of the story my admiration for her grew.

I received a copy of this book with no obligation to review it. I am happy to recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Christian Fiction.

Sunday, September 23, 2018

Jane Kirkpatricks latest....Everything She Didn't Say a Compelling Story

...from the publisher...

In 1911, Carrie Strahorn wrote a memoir entitled Fifteen Thousand Miles by Stage, which shared some of the most exciting events of 25 years of traveling and shaping the American West with her husband, Robert Strahorn, a railroad promoter, investor, and writer. That is all fact. Everything She Didn't Say imagines Carrie nearly ten years later as she decides to write down what was really on her mind during those adventurous nomadic years.

Certain that her husband will not read it, and in fact that it will only be found after her death, Carrie is finally willing to explore the lessons she learned along the way, including the danger a woman faces of losing herself within a relationship with a strong-willed man and the courage it takes to accept her own God-given worth apart from him. Carrie discovers that wealth doesn't insulate a soul from pain and disappointment, family is essential, pioneering is a challenge, and western landscapes are both demanding and nourishing. Most of all, she discovers that home can be found, even in a rootless life.

With a deft hand, New York Times bestselling author Jane Kirkpatrick draws out the emotions of living--the laughter and pain, the love and loss--to give readers a window not only into the past, but into their own conflicted hearts. Based on a true story.

….my thoughts.....

Everything She Didn't Say by Jane Kirkpatrick is an amazing book. I just put the book down after spending the day between the covers. Carrie Adell Strahorn was called the "Queen of the Pioneers" or "Mother of the West" by many and once you read her compelling story you will agree.

What a life this pioneering woman led. The book begins on the day she married Robert E Strahorn, and from that day on she literally embarked on a trip that would take her by stage, foot, train, steamer and foot on journeys white women never ventured. She rode in a cow catcher, scaled a mine, laid on her belly overlooking Yellowstone Falls in the snow. Her stay in a Wyoming hotel with electricity contrasted with harrowing stage rides amid war with the Bannocks. I can't imagine living up to those challenges but she was determined to be supportive of her husband in his endeavors as an author who wrote travel pamphlets for the Union Pacific Railroad. He was always one step ahead of settling down with what she longed for; a home and family.

What really impressed me about Carrie Strahorn was the depth of her faith and perseverance. I loved that her travels intersected with my own travels and life in Spokane. It was in Spokane that Robert bought the Pines for Carrie and under the direction of famous architect Kirtland Cutter it was redesigned as she wished. She felt so at home in Spokane, a feeling she hadn't had since leaving her beloved Caldwell.

As with all of her historical novels, author Jane Kirkpatrick engages the reader into historical events with wonderful story telling and impeccable research. I highly recommend this book to the reader who loves historical fiction, especially when it includes how this wonderful west was settled. Many thanks to Revell Books for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review of this book.

Monday, September 3, 2018

Reviewing: More Than Meets the Eye by Karen Witemeyer

...from the publisher....

Many consider Evangeline Hamilton cursed. Orphaned at a young age and possessing a pair of mismatched eyes--one bright blue, the other dark brown--Eva has fought to find her way in a world that constantly rejects her. Yet the support of even one person can help overcome the world's judgments, and Eva has two--Seth and Zach, two former orphans she now counts as brothers.

More Than Meets the Eye (A Patchwork Family Novel Book #1) by [Witemeyer, Karen]

Seeking justice against the man who stole his birthright and destroyed his family, Logan Fowler arrives in 1880s Pecan Gap, Texas, to confront Zach Hamilton, the hardened criminal responsible for his father's death. Only instead of finding a solitary ruthless gambler, he discovers a man not much older than himself with an unusual family. When Zach's sister, Evangeline, insists on dousing Logan with sunshine every time their paths cross, Logan finds his quest completely derailed. Who is truly responsible for his lost legacy, and will restoring the past satisfy if it means forfeiting a future with Evangeline?

...my thoughts....

I enjoyed reading More than Meets the Eye, book one of Karen Witemeyer's new series called A Patchwork Family. Evangeline is an ideal heroine. With her mismatched eyes she could have been bitter and unforgiving to those who ridiculed her yet she was the complete opposite. I admired her for her openness and kindness; just they type of gal you'd want for a friend. When she met Logan it was her good nature that disarmed all his defenses. He found out that this sheltered young woman was no match for any designs he might have on her for his plans.

While Evangeline and Logan's story is at the heart of this book I have a soft spot for Zach, Eva's oldest brother. He had such a hard shell around his heart created by difficult circumstances. He'd had to grow up quickly after the Orphan train crashed. He could have escaped on his own but quickly decided to stand by and protect two younger orphans who survived with him. In one moment he went from being a teen with a chip on his shoulder to creating and providing for a new family. A Patchwork Family he never let down.

This is a wonderful story of resilience, forgiveness and love. Not just the romantic love but a love story of families who grew out of need in the wild west of old. Karen Witemeyer is noted for her wonderful stories emanating from the wild west and for that I am pleased. I enjoy a peek at what life may have been like for those who helped build this great western piece of our country.

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Historical Romance Set on the Shirley Plantation!

Return to Shirley Plantation: A Civil War Romance

By: Carrie Fancett Pagels
Narrated by: Cecily White
Length: 2 hrs and 34 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 06-11-18

Good news! I enjoy Carrie Fancett Pagels historical fiction so when she shared that Return to Shirley Plantation was being released in audio book format I was pleased.

This novella is set on the historical Shirley Plantation, a beautiful contrast to the pain the soldiers endured. Historical fiction is one genre that i find intriguing and compels me to look a little deeper into the time and place of many books.

The Civil War was a tumultuous time for our country and for our hero Matthew Scott especially! Far from home and wearing a uniform whose cause he did not support was difficult. He was an actor not a soldier. However, had he not been thrust into the gray uniform of the confederacy he never would have met the one woman who captured his heart.

Angelina Rose was meant to be up north by now where freedom beckoned. She couldn't seem to get away from Shirley Plantation though she had had the opportunity. Time, chance and a bit of faith intervened or she never would have met Matthew Scott who needed her care among the injured. There was something different about him and it took others on the plantation to help put the pieces together. This was not a clear case of an injured soldier falling for a beautiful nursemaid.

Audio books are another way for authors to get their stories out to readers who may not have a chance to experience their books. I first enjoyed listening while traveling but found it is a wonderful companion to many of the every day tasks I do around the house or garden and even when I am working on my hobbies.

I recommend Return to Shirley Plantation for anyone who enjoys novellas and historical fiction. Congratulations to Carrie Fancett Pagels on her first audio book! I hope it will be the first of many.

...from the Publisher....

Abducted against his will, theater manager Matthew Scott is conscripted into the Confederate army because of his Copperhead senator father’s political leanings. Injured at Malvern Hill, Matthew is taken by the Union army to Shirley Plantation in Virginia, where he is tended by seamstress Angelina Rose, a freed slave.

Given an opportunity to leave the South and start a new life for herself, Angelina remained for the sake of her sister’s orphaned twins, who are still enslaved.

Matthew must use his acting skills to to remain safe. Will his return to Shirley Plantation settle a mystery concerning his father’s past? And will Matthew find the family for which he longs?

Friday, May 25, 2018

Announcing the Winner of Together Forever Giveaway!

We have a winner!

What could be better than purchasing a copy of the latest book by your favorite author? Why winning a copy, of course.....

Congratulations to Kay Garrett, who won of a copy of Together Forever by Jody Hedlund! I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did.

Watch your mailbox Kay and thank you for being a loyal reader of my blog! Stay tuned all summer long as I give away more books by our favorite Christian fiction authors!

Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Celebrate Lit Tour & Giveaway: The Innkeeper's Daughter A Suspenseful HIstorical Novel A Must Read!

About the Book

Title: The Innkeeper’s Daughter
Author: Michelle Griep
Genre: Historical Christian Fiction
Release Date: March 1, 2018

A London officer goes undercover to expose a plot against the Crown
Dover, England, 1808: Officer Alexander Moore goes undercover as a gambling gentleman to expose a high-stakes plot against the king—and he’s a master of disguise, for Johanna Langley believes him to be quite the rogue...until she can no longer fight against his unrelenting charm.

All Johanna wants is to keep the family inn afloat, but when the rent and the hearth payment are due at the same time, where will she find the extra funds? If she doesn’t come up with the money, there will be nowhere to go other than the workhouse—where she’ll be separated from her ailing mother and ten-year-old brother.

Alex desperately wants to help Johanna, especially when she confides in him, but his mission—finding and bringing to justice a traitor to the crown—must come first, or they could all end up dead.

Click here to purchase your copy!

my thoughts...

Michelle Griep has done it again! Captured a tale by the stroke of her pen. Alex and Johanna definitely share a bond that began when she literally landed in his arms. No small fete for this couple to meet and fall in love in the midst of a man on a particular mission. His duty to the crown was foremost on his mind yet this woman and her family captured his heart and he knew he needed to remain focused on his task.

This book has all the elements of a suspenseful thriller rivaling anything that we can see on the big screen. When I read this book I felt as if I were transported back to England in 1808. As a woman I felt powerless to try to improve the lot of Johanna and her mother as they worked their fingers to the bone to keep their ramshackle inn afloat. No matter what they did it was hard to keep up with their rent. It was a wonder why a classy gent like Alex was commanded to stay at this inn at this time. Patience, dear reader for all will be told in one neatly tied package at the end.
I think Michelle Griep created fascinating characters for this book. I was surprised to learn the identity of the traitor. There were, after all, some pretty unsavory characters in this book. You will go deep into the gaol and gamble with high stakes with a Viscount. The drudge of day to day life for those without wealth will grip your heart and hopefully make you grateful for all that you have. Alex had a deep faith and shared that with Johanna in one of her dark moments. When confronted with seemingly hopeless events, she relied on that faith he helped her reawaken. It surprised me that Alex possessed such a deep faith with all that he had been through in his life and his current lifestyle. I appreciated this book all the more with his conviction and how it truly helped them all in the end.

About the Author

Michelle Griep has been writing since she first discovered blank wall space and Crayolas. She seeks to glorify God in all that she writes—except for that graffiti phase she went through as a teenager. She resides in the frozen tundra of Minnesota, where she teaches history and writing classes for a local high school co-op. An Anglophile at heart, she runs away to England every chance she gets, under the guise of research. Really, though, she’s eating excessive amounts of scones while rambling around a castle. Michelle is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and MCWG (Minnesota Christian Writers Guild). Keep up with her adventures at her blog “Writer off the Leash” or visit www.michellegriep.com.

Guest Post from Michelle Griep

Celebrating Oak Apple Day

Spring is just around the corner, or maybe it’s in full bloom in your neck of the woods. Regardless, by this time of year, everyone is ready to celebrate. . .and nothing new is under the sun. For centuries people have been eager to welcome budding greenery and warmth.

In my recent release, The Innkeeper’s Daughter, I incorporated a spring holiday that’s been around for over 500 years in England, one you may never heard of.

Oak Apple Day.

This ancient celebration dates back to the year 1651. At the time, Charles II escaped the Roundhead army by taking cover in an oak tree. Everyone loved ol’ Charlie and was glad he lived, so in his honor, a new national holiday was born—one that in some parts of England is still celebrated today.

Another name for this annual event is Royal Oak Day and the festivities occur every May 29^th. Celebration traditions vary from parades to the ringing of bells, but one thing that is standard is that it’s a day to pin an oak leaf on your lapel. If you fail to wear one, you could end up getting pinched.

The hero in my latest release is kind enough to remind the heroine that she forgot to pin on her leaf, thus saving her from untoward pinches. Interested in hearing more about this gallant fellow and the forgetful miss? Here’s a blurb about The Innkeeper’s Daughter…

Tension is high with the threat of a Napoleonic attack in Regency England, but risk from abroad means nothing when there’s danger at home.

Officer Alexander Moore goes undercover as a gambling gentleman to expose a high-stakes plot against the crown—and he’s a master of disguise, for Johanna Langley believes him to be quite the rogue . . . until she can no longer fight against his unrelenting charm.

Alex desperately wants to help Johanna, especially when she confides in him, but his mission—finding and bringing to justice a traitor to the crown—must come first, or they could all end up dead.It’s a race against time for them both.

Blog Stops

Just the Write Escape, March 15

Fiction Aficionado, March 15

All-of-a-kind Mom, March 15

The Morning Chapter, March 15

Reflections From My Bookshelves, March 16

Reading Is My SuperPower, March 16

Mommynificent, March 16

Blogging With Carol, March 16

Among the Reads, March 17

Connie’s History Classroom, March 17

Mary Hake, March 17

Blossoms and Blessings, March 17

Karen Sue Hadley, March 18

The Power of Words, March 18

Christian Chick’s Thoughts, March 18

D’S QUILTS & BOOKS, March 18

Kathleen Denly, March 19

Faithfully Bookish, March 19

Captive Dreams Window, March 19

Red Headed Book Lady, March 19

The Fizzy Pop Collection, March 20

Remembrancy, March 20

Inklings and notions, March 20

Book by Book, March 20

Moments Dipped in Ink, March 21

Black ‘n’ Gold Girl’s Book Spot, March 21

Singing Librarian Books, March 21

To Everything a Season, March 21

Bookworm Mama, March 22

Two Points of Interest, March 22

Vicky Sluiter, March 22

Carpe Diem, March 22

Pause for Tales, March 23

Have A Wonderful Day, March 23

A Baker’s Perspective, March 23

margaret kazmierczak, March 23 (Interview)

proud to be an autism mom, March 24

Bibliophile Reviews, March 24

A Greater Yes, March 24

Texas Book-aholic, March 25

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 25

Janices book reviews, March 25

A Reader’s Brain, March 26

Jeanette’s Thoughts, March 26

Simple Harvest Reads, March 26 (Mindy Houng Guest Post)

Kaylee’s Kind Of Writes, March 27

My Writer’s Life, March 27

Pursuing Stacie, March 27

Bigreadersite, March 27

Tell Tale Book Reviews, March 28

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, March 28

Pink Granny’s Journey, March 28

The PhD Mamma, March 28

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Michelle is giving away a grand prize of a signed copy of The Innkeeper’s Daughter and a $25 gift card from Barnes & Noble!!

Click below to enter. Be sure to comment on this post before you enter to claim 9 extra entries! https://promosimple.com/ps/cb72

Sunday, March 4, 2018

Romance Is Sweeter With Hearts Entwined

Settle back and enjoy a little historical fiction with a spark of romance in Hearts Entwined...

Notes from the back cover nestled with a few thoughts of my own....

The ways of love can be complex. Sometimes a relationship full of unexpected twists and unlikely turns leads to a bond that's strong and secure. Join Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connealy,Regina Jennings, and Melissa Jagears for novellas that follow the winding path of romance in stories that celebrate a love that lasts forever.

The Love Knot - When Claire Nevin's troubled younger sibling sends her an unexpected package by rail, the gift and the man who delivers it--an unexpected face from the past--threaten to upend Claire's life forever. Fighting to hold on to all she has built, will she lose what matters most?

My thoughts...I enjoyed Claire and Pieter's story, a test of how far one man would go to prove his forever love. Sometimes what we see may cause heartbreak but if we run away before learning all the facts, we may never know pure joy. Karen Witemeyer's town of Harper's Station, Texas, a town run by women, is the setting once again for a heartwarming romance that will leave you smiling.

The Tangled Ties that Bind - Connor Kincaid returns home determined to win the hand of the woman he was too young for when he left. But Maggie is training to be a doctor in a distant town, while Connor's about to settle on a ranch. Will either be willing to give up their dream? Or will they both have to give up the love of a lifetime?

My thoughts....When Connor didn't return, Maggie made the decision to create her own life without him. Connor was amazed that she wasn't pining at home for him. Her courage to forge a new life in uncharted waters surprised him. The events that unfolded in this story kept me turning the pages. Mary Connealy wrapped this up as neat as any bow and I was surprised by the outcome!

Bound and Determined - As punishment for his recklessness, Private Bradley Willis is sent on an errand to help a retired cavalry officer move a herd across Indian Territory. No one told him the herd would be camels instead of cattle, nor that the officer's headstrong daughter, Ambrosia Herald, would seem to be trying to undermine the whole enterprise. He's definitely been saddled with more than he's bargained for.

My Thoughts.... I thought Regina Jennings had a wonderful imagination using camels in the cavalry until I did a little research to the contrary! There was indeed a U.S. Army Camel Corps. The romance between Bradley and Ambrosia began rather testily and I wondered how these two would ever get along when she was determined to undermine his mission and her father's desire to bring home the camels. I enjoyed their banter and how the mission changed them all.

Tied and True - Wealthy Marianne Lister is in love with business assistant Calvin Hochstetler, but he can't see past the difference in their social status. When Marianne takes a job to prove that she is prepared for a life of hard work alongside the man of her dreams, will it be enough to convince Calvin to risk it all for love?

My thoughts...Melissa Jagears' Marianne, is one determined woman. This story is a twist of romantic tales of the poor young beauty captivating the wealthy bachelor. She fell for Calvin the moment she met him. He thought she was destined to marry David, the boss' son. His one desire was to keep his job and avoid any entanglement that would threaten his security. Playing it safe was his mantra.

Marianne and David, friends since childhood seem destined to marry in the eyes of their parents but to each other, not so much. She is not your average spoiled socialite. I enjoyed the development of her character from the beginning of the story. Her determination is admirable and would be a welcome change to many in our society today.

The authors of this novella collection put together an entertaining group of stories that I believe any fan of historical romances would enjoy. I appreciate their creativity and the research they did to make this book a reality. I am happy that I was able to receive a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

Phoebe's Light A Bright Beginning for Nantucket Legacy Series

About the Book

Title: Phoebe’s Light
Author: Suzanne Woods Fisher
Genre: Historical romance
Release Date: February 6, 2018

Phoebe Starbuck has always adjusted her sails and rudder to the whims of her father. Now, for the first time, she’s doing what she wants to do: marrying Captain Phineas Foulger and sailing far away from Nantucket. As she leaves on her grand adventure, her father gives her two gifts, both of which Phoebe sees little need for. The first is an old sheepskin journal from Great Mary, her highly revered great-grandmother. The other is a “minder” on the whaling ship in the form of cooper Matthew Mitchell, a man whom she loathes. Soon Phoebe discovers that life at sea is no easier than life on land. Lonely, seasick, and disillusioned, she turns the pages of Great Mary’s journal and finds herself drawn into the life of this noble woman. To Phoebe’s shock, her great-grandmother has left a secret behind that carries repercussions for everyone aboard the ship, especially her husband the captain and her shadow the cooper. This story within a story catapults Phoebe into seeing her life in an entirely new way—just in time. In this brand-new series, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher brings her signature twists and turns to bear on a fascinating new faith community: the Quakers of colonial-era Nantucket Island.

Click here to purchase your copy!

my thoughts:

I am a long-time fan of Suzanne Woods Fisher's books so it was with pleasure that I received this book in return for an honest review from Celebrate Lit. Phoebe's Light is a departure from Suzanne's beloved Amish Fiction, so I was curious how this transition would be for me as a reader. I have to say that Phoebe's Light is a wonderful book that will captivate Suzanne's fans worldwide.

Be prepared to be transported to Nantucket Island. Within the community Phoebe Starbuck lives, women worked hard to keep the home fires stirring while their seafaring men were off on the whaling ships. Life was hard for those left behind without knowing when or if their husbands and sons would return. It was because of this the women started small businesses along what became Petticoat Row to help support their families and to fulfill the needs of their neighbors.

I was intrigued by the hand written entries Phoebe read from Mary's Journal and curious about why it was so important. Life captured on aged pages in the journal were much more than an account of a young woman's day to life on a secluded island. The reader will have to discover its worth on their own lest I spoil the plot.

I learned many things about the Quakers in this novel and look forward to the next book in this series. The little teaser at the end of the book wasn't nearly enough! Time after time, Suzanne Woods Fisher's work is impeccable. Since I am a history buff I love the extra efforts she makes bringing these periods alive through people. We tend to forget that they had lives and loves...just like us.

About the Author

Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than two dozen novels, including Anna’s Crossing, The Newcomer, and The Return in the Amish Beginnings series, The Bishop’s Family series, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and The Heart of the Amish. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Twitter @suzannewfisher.

Guest Post from Suzanne Woods Fisher

A Stroll down Petticoat Row Thirty years ago, I talked my sister into going on a trip to Nantucket Island. It’s one of those places that had always intrigued me. As a girl in the 1930s, my mother’s family vacationed in Nantucket; she even has a lightship basket to show for it. I expected the island to be interesting and beautiful, and it certainly did not disappoint. But something else happened as I walked down Centre Street one morning. This island captured my imagination in a way that’s hard to put into words. At the risk of sounding a tiny bit sun touched, I could practically see 19^th century people on the roads, hear the “thee’s and thou’s” in their speech, even smell the strong scents of a bygone century—the musky perfume of rendered whale oil, the burning wood of the blacksmith, all mingled with the bracing sea air. Centre Street has a local nickname: Petticoat Row. It comes from the 1800s, when men were at sea for long periods and women stepped into their shoes to keep businesses going. Nantucket women gained a reputation for being strong and capable. Their competence was encouraged by the Society of Friends (Quakers), the island’s dominant religion, which believed in the equality of men and women in all aspects of life. That hasn’t changed. Today, half of all Nantucket businesses are run by women. Petticoat Row stuck in my mind, and eventually became the hook to contract a series of historical fiction with Revell Books. The ‘Nantucket Legacy’ series covers the rise and fall of Nantucket’s whaling period, when it became the wealthiest port in the world. First up is Phoebe’s Light, releasing in February 2018, a novel about a spirited young woman who seeks her fortune only to find out she already had it. After reading about Phoebe, I hope you’ll consider planning a trip to Nantucket (though try to go off-season. The population swells five times in the summer!). When you go, include a stop at the Petticoat Row Bakery (35 Centre Street)—the very location where Phoebe grew up, albeit a few centuries ago. Don’t leave the island without trying the Morning Glory Muffins, an island favorite. So worth the trip! Nantucket’s Famous Morning Glory Muffins Ingredients: 1 ¼ cup sugar 2 ¼ cup flour 1 tablespoon cinnamon 2 tsp baking soda ½ tsp salt ½ cup shredded coconut ½ cup raisins 2 cup grated carrots (4 large) 1 apple, shredded 8 oz. crushed pineapple, drained ½ cup pecans or walnuts 3 eggs 1 cup vegetable oil 1 tsp vanilla Instructions: Sift together sugar, flour, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl. Add the fruit, carrots and nuts and stir to combine. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs with oil and vanilla. Combine with dry ingredients and blend well. Spoon batter into cupcake tins lined with muffin papers. Fill each cup to the brim. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 35-40 minutes. These muffins needs 24 hours to ripen their full flavor. They freeze extremely well.

Recipe courtesy of Pamela A. McKinstry, Sconset Café