The Lacemaker Book Review

SUMMARY:  It is the eve of a new age of freedom in the colonies.  But can a proper English lady dare hope for her own independence?
     Lady Elizabeth "Liberty" Lawson has nearly everything a lady of her position could want.  Daughter of the British lieutenant governor of the Virginia Colony and a darling of fine society in a rugged land, she is anticipating an advantageous marriage.  That her betrothed is a rake and love is lacking is of little consequence - or so she tells herself.
     Though her own life seems in order, colonial Williamsburg is a powder keg on the verge of exploding, and her fiance's cousin Noble Rynallt carries the flame of revolution in his heart.  Those with connections to the British nobility are suspected as spies, and Liberty soon finds herself left with a terrible choice.  Will she stay true to her English roots? Or side with Noble and the radical revolutionaries?

REVIEW:  Laura Frantz's latest novel transported me back to the beginning of our great nation and the difficulties that were faced by all citizens - both British and Colonial.  Liberty has to make a difficult decision - go with her father and wait for this uprising to end or support the locals she has grown up with in their pursuit of freedom.  I like how the author shows her reader Liberty's struggles and how she finds a way to support herself during this difficult time.  In doing so, she discovers a way serve her new country and show support for her fellow Colonists. 
     I like how Nobel Rynallt is a gentleman and a Patriot at all times. He helps protect Liberty when events turn ugly.  When standing for what he believes in comes at a great cost, Nobel doesn't hesitate.      As I read this story, I had envisioned some things I thought might happen with different characters and during certain events.  Ms. Frantz kept me on my toes and guessing as to how she would work things out.  I like that the story was not predictable but was engaging and kept my interest throughout.  This is a wonderful book that I highly recommend.

This book was provided by Revell for review without any compensation.

Laura Frantz Laura Frantz is a Christy Award finalist and the author of several books, including The Frontiersman's Daughter, Courting Morrow Little, The Colonel's Lady, The Mistress of Tall Acre, and the Ballantyne Legacy series.  She lives and writes in a log cabin in the heart of Kentucky.  Learn more at www.laurafrantz.net.

The Return Book Review

Amish Beginnings Series

Book Three

SUMMARY:  In a wild country, the true cost of love may be more than they can bear.

     Beautiful and winsome, Betsy Zook never questioned her family's rigid expectations, nor those of devoted Hans - but then she never had to.  Not until the night she's taken captive in a surprise Indian raid.  Facing brutality and hardship, Betsy finds herself torn between her pious upbringing and the feelings she's developing for a native man who encourages her to see God in all circumstances.

     Greatly anguished by Betsy's captivity, Hans turns to Tessa Bauer for comfort.  She responds eagerly, overlooking troubling signs of Han's hunger for revenge.  But if Betsy is ever restored to the Amish, will things between Hans and Tessa have gone too far?

     Inspired by true events, this deeply layered novel gives a glimpse into the tumultuous days of pre-revolutionary Pennsylvania through the eyes of two young, determined, and faith-filled women.

SUMMARY:  Sometimes God works in ways we don't understand to take us to places spiritually, physically and emotionally we would never go on our own.  Betsy soon finds out how God uses her time as an Indian captive to help bring her to an understanding of Himself and others around her that she wouldn't have otherwise had.  It also makes her stronger than she ever thought she could be and helps her when she needs to make difficult decisions.

     Tessa is like most of us; we want what we can't have.  When we finally get a taste of it, we want more, even if it isn't God's best.  Tessa makes decisions that come back to haunt her and influences others to make bad choices.  I like how she owns up to her mistakes and does what she can to make restitution.  

     The ending was different in that one character's story was left open ended while others were tied up neatly.  I liked how this novel closed with all kinds of possibilities that only God knows the ending.  This book is set about twenty-five years after the first and second ones.  Even though I read the first one but not the second, I was able to follow along without any trouble, especially since there was a Cast of Characters to help fill in any blanks.  This is a good book and a good series.

This book was provided by Revell for review without any compensation.

 

Susanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than two dozen novels, including Anna's Crossing and The Newcomer 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 @susannewfisher.

When Tides Turn Book Review

Waves of Freedom Series

Book Three

SUMMARY:  In a time of war, sometimes battles take place in the heart.

     Tess Beaumont is tired of being thought of as just a pretty face.  Eager to do her part for the war effort, she joins the Navy's newly established WAVES program for women.  Perhaps there she can convince people that there is more to her than meets the eye.

     Lt. Dan Avery has been using his skills in the fight against German U-boats and hoping to admiral.  The last things he wants to see on his radar is a girl like Tess.  Convinced that romance will interfere with his goals.  Dan is determined to stay the course, no matter how intriguing a distraction Tess is.

    But love, like war, is unpredictable.  When Dan is shipped out at the peak of the Battle of the Atlantic, he finds himself torn between his lifelong career goals and his desire to help the beguiling Tess root out a possible spy on shore.  Could this fun-loving glamour girl really be the one?

REVIEW:  The author had her main characters face many different trials, where various facets of their character and personality were cut, smoothed, and polished.  Tess, trying to show others, as well as herself, that she was something more than just a pretty face.  She was intelligent, quick thinking and could make even working late fun. I like how she reached out to others and helped others realize their hidden potential.  When faced with difficult tasks, she faced them head-on, even risking her life to safe a friend.  

     Dan was determined to follow the same path his mentor had taken.  When difficult circumstances arose, I like how he realized he needed to make changes and head in a different direction or he was going to fail.  When faced with impossible circumstances, I like how, at first, Dan reacted like we all do, with anger and frustration.  But, then he realized that he needed to respond in a godly manner, events worked themselves out and justice was served.

     This was a great conclusion to a wonderful series.  Since this is the third book, it is very helpful to read the others to understand different references made and the relationships all the characters to each other.  I always look forward to this author's books and this book, and series, just added to it.

This book was provided by Revell for review without any compensation.

Sarah Sundin is the author of Through Waters Deep and Anchor in the Storm, as well as the WINGS OF THE NIGHTINGALE and the WINGS OF GLORY series.  A graduate of UC San Francisco School of Pharmacy, she works on-call as a hospital pharmacist.  During WWII, her grandfather served as a pharmacist's mate (medic) in the Navy, and her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force.  Sarah lives in California.  Visit www.sarahsundin.com for more information.

A Moonbow Night Book Review

SUMMARY:  In an uncertain time, she faces a choice that will change her life forever.
     After fleeing Virginia, Temperance Tucker and her family established an inn along the Shawnee River.  It's a welcome way station for settlers and frontiersmen traveling through the wild Cumberland region of Kentucke . . . men like Sion Morgan, a Virginia surveyor who arrives at the inn with his crew, looking for an experienced guide.
     Though he balks when Tempe is appointed to lead his team through the wilderness, it isn't long before Sion must admit that her abilities may outmatch his own.  But can the tenuous tie they are forming survive the dangers waiting just around the bend?
     With her signature sweeping style and ability to bring the distant past to vivid life, Laura Frantz beckons you to join her in a land of Indian ambushes, conflicting loyalties, and a tentative love that meanders like a cool mountain stream.

REVIEW:  Set during the Revolutionary War, this story takes place on the western side of the Cumberland Mountains, away from the fighting British and Patriot troops .  The danger that faces the settlers of this area are Indians determined to keep these newcomers off their land and out of their territories.  Ms. Frantz brings to life a part of American history most people have forgotten about: the gradual move west, across the mountains into areas only occupied by Native Americans and the major hardships they faced.
     Having read all but one of this author's novels, I kind of knew what to expect.  As I went through this book, though, I found myself having a more difficult time following the conversations between the characters.  Quite often I had to reread passages because I didn't understand what was being said, or pick up on the subtle nuances that were being communicated.  Also, she uses a lot of terms and names of items that are no longer in use.  To get a better understanding of the scene or circumstances, I would pulled out my dictionary, but some of the terms weren't there.
     All that said, this story was an attention grabber.  I kept wondering what would happen next, how Sion and Tempe would get out of difficult situations, and how things were going to end.  Temperance, or Tempe as she is often referred to, is one strong girl who doesn't know when to give up.  She kept up with the men without complaint and kept her wits about her during difficult times.
     Laura Frantz does not disappoint with this novel.

This book was provided by Revell for review without any compensation.

Laura Frantz is a Christy Award finalist and the author of several books, including The Frontiersman's Daughter, Courting Morrow Little, The Colonel's Lady, The Mistress of Tall Acre, and the Ballantyne Legacy series.  She lives and writes in a log cabin in the heart of Kentucky.  Learn more at www.laurafrantz.net.

Dawn at Emberwilde Book Review

Treasures of Surrey Series

Book Two

SUMMARY:  Isabel Creston never dared to dream that love could be hers.  Now, at the edge of a forest filled with dark secrets, she faces a fateful choice between love and duty.

     For as long as she can remember, beautiful and free-spirited Isabel has strained against the rules and rigidity of the Fellsworth School in the rolling English countryside. No longer a student, Isabel set her sights on a steady role as a teacher at the school, a safe yet stifling establishment that would enable her to care for her younger sister Lizzie, who was left in her care after her father's death.

     The unexpected arrival of a stranger with news of unknown relatives turns Isabel's small, predictable world upside down, sweeping her and her young charge into a labyrinth of intrigue and hidden motives.

     At her new family's invitation, Isabel and Lizzie relocate to Emberwilde, a sprawling estate adjacent to a vast, mysterious wood rife with rumors and ominous folklore - along with whispers of something far more sinister.  Perhaps even more startling, two handsome men begin pursuing Isabel, forcing her to learn the delicate dance between attraction, the intricate rules of courtship, and the hopes of her heart.

     At Emberwilde Isabel will discover that the key to unlocking the mystery of her past may also open the door to her future and security.  But first she must find it - in the depths of Emberwilde's Forest.

REVIEW:  This is a wonderful period piece set in England in 1817.  Isabel is a person to be admired.  She takes care of her half-sister Lizzie like a daughter.  She is protective of her and insists Lizzie be included when invited by distant relatives to come live with them.  She is not afraid to speak her mind and tries to think good of everyone. 
     The Emberwilde estate and people in the surrounding area are contradictory.  Everything is not always was it seems.  The state of disrepair around the house and grounds is conflicting in regards to the money being spent on a new wardrobe for Isabel and Lizzie.  While her aunt insists on a lavish lifestyle and elaborate parties, you wonder where the money is coming from to pay for it. The woods that surround Emberwilde is said to be haunted and none of the locals will enter but the local sheriff finds evidence of a recent smuggling operation there.  The young man who her aunt arranges for her to court is in charge of the local orphanage but doesn't seem to care about children or worry when they might be in danger.  The local sheriff lives in a boarding house in town but has a large estate that he doesn't know what to do with.
     The twists and turns the story and characters take kept me trying to figure out who all was involved in the smuggling ring and how events would play out.  I only figured out a portion and was pleasantly surprised with the ending.  Great book!
     This is the second book in the Treasures of Surrey series but it is a stand alone novel.  You don't even need to read it to fully understand this one.

This book was provided by Fiction Guild and Thomas Nelson Publishers 

 for review without compensation.

Sarah E. Ladd received the 2011 Genesis Award in historical romance for The  Heiress of Winterwood.  She is a graduate of Ball State University and has more than ten years of marketing experience.  Sarah lives in Indiana with her amazing family and spunky golden retriever.  Visit Sarah online at www.sarahladd.com; on Facebook at SarahLaddAuthor or Twitter at @SarahLaddAuthor.

Honor Redeemed Book Review

Keys of Promise Series

Book Two

SUMMARY:  Her future - and her heart - hang in the balance.

     Two year ago, Prosperity Jones waved farewell to her beloved David as the army sent him to faraway Key West.  Now with her parents gone, she has but one prospect for the future:  make the dangerous journey from Nantucket to Key West to reunite with David and secure a happier life.

     But when Prosperity arrives penniless in the South, she is dismayed to find David has not been eagerly awaiting their reunion.  In fact, he is married to someone else.  Scrambling to survive and nursing a broken heart, Prosperity gains the friendship - and the affection - of a kind doctor.  Could he be the answer to her loneliness?  Or will her life be upended by circumstance yet again?

     With a deft hand, Christine Johnson fills the senses with the sights, sounds, and smells of Key West in this heartwarming story of honor lost, honor redeemed, and a love forged in adversity.

REVIEW:  Prosperity is at a crossroads. Her parents are dead and she has nowhere to live.  For the last two years, her fiance David has been stationed in Key West with the Army and has at least another six years before he can return home.  So she makes the only decision she could, which goes against convention of the day: she must join David in Key West. 
     Even though she doesn't necessary believe it, Prosperity is a strong person.  After the death of her father, she supports and nurses her sick mother until her death.  Prosperity knows the trip to get to David is long and dangerous but she takes it anyway.  After learning of David's marriage to someone else, she does what she can to stand on her own two feet, finding a job and a place to live in a strange place where she knows no one.  Not many people I know nowadays could do what she does. 
     David's sense of honor is one to be admired.  After some horrible truths come to light about his wife, he is determined to still honor her, in spite of his hurt.  He faces many tribulations and trials because of it but does not give in.  In the end, his efforts do not go unnoticed and helps him overcome many problems.
     This is an interesting book which I enjoyed reading.  It is the second in the series but the author does a good job of briefly describing key characters and their relationships.  But, to fully understand how they relate to David's situation and final solution, you should read the first book, Love's Rescue. 

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

Christine Johnson is the author of Love's Rescue, as well as several books for Steeple Hill and Love Inspired.  She was twice named a finalist for Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart Award.  When not writing, she loves to hike and explore God's majestic creation.  These days, she and her husband, a Great Lakes ship pilot, split their time between northern Michigan and the Florida Keys.

Anchor in the Storm Book Review

Waves of Freedom Series

Book Two

SUMMARY:  In the time of sacrifice, what price can one put on true love?

     Nothing slows Lillian Avery down - not her personal challenges and certainly not America's entry into World War II.  She finally has a chance to prove herself as a pharmacist in Boston.  The demands of her new job energize her.  But society boy Ensign Archer Vanderberg's attentions only annoy - even if he is her brother's best friend.

     During the darkest days of the war, Arch's destroyer hunts German U-Boasts on vain as the submarines sink dozens of merchant ships along the East Coast.  Still shaken by battles at sea, Arch notices his men also struggle with their nerves - and with drowsiness.  Could their be a link to the large prescriptions Lillian has been filling?

     As the danger rises on both land and sea, the two must work together to answer that question.  But can Arch ever earn Lillian's trust and affections?

REVIEW:  This book tackles some difficult subjects - physical disabilities, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and women working in traditionally men's roles.  Lillian wears a prosthesis on her left leg after a childhood accident.  That, along with being a woman, makes it very difficult for her to find a job, much less one as a pharmacist, since those positions were held by men.  After the sinking of his previous ship, Arch deals with PTSD.  He observes men on his new destroyer having the same issues coping by taking strong medication that starts to interfere with their job performances.
     Lillian's determination to break through the barriers is admirable.  She does the best she can and doesn't back down from adversity.  Along the way, she starts to win people over and their attitudes start to change as they see her instead of just her sex.  She uses a painful episode in her past to help her in a very difficult situation to bring criminals to justice.
     Arch finds out that he is not along in struggling with the death and destruction he's witnessed on the sea.  I like how he works to find another way besides drugs to help the men under his command and breaks up the prescription drug ring causing the damage.  Even though he hates the wealth and status he was brought up with, I was impressed with how he uses it to help others with PTSD and other wounded warriors.
     The author kept me guessing as to how the drug ring would be captured and how all the relationships that were hurt and wounded would mend in the end.  
     This is the second book in the Waves of Freedom series.  It stands well on its own but reading the first book will fill in the gaps around some of the other characters.  This is a remarkable book and a wonderful series.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group and Revell 

for review without compensation.

Sarah Sundin is the award-winning author of the Wings of Glory and Wings of the Nightingale series, as well as Through Waters Deep.  During WWII, her grandfather serves as a pharmacist's mate (medic) in the Navy and her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force in England.  Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children.  Learn more at www.sarahsundin.com. 

The Magnolia Duchess Book Review

Gulf Coast Chronicles Series

Book Three

SUMMARY:  As the War of 1812 rages across the newly formed United States, another war rages in Fiona Lanier's heart - - one that threatens to tear her family apart.

     Fiona can scarcely take in the news of her brother's capture and imprisonment by the British Navy.  It is almost as unbelievable as the half-drowned British sailor who is washed ashore on the beach of Navy Cove.

     Charlie Kincaid claims to have no memory of his life before being discovered by Fiona, but in a world that seems saturated with treachery, she cannot be sure he is telling the truth.

     As Charlie's memory returns in agonizing jags and crashes, he and Fiona discover that falling in love may be as inevitable as the tide.  But when political allegiances collide, they'll have to decide where their true loyalties lie.

REVIEW:  The latest book in Beth White's Gulf Coast Chronicles is set in coastal Alabama during the War of 1812 and picks up about twenty years after the previous one.  I really like Fiona.  She wears boys' clothes while training horses for Army officers.  She takes care of her brothers and uncle but she can take care of herself with a pistol, if need be.  Fiona isn't all tomboy; she does like dressing up and appreciates the finer things in life.  She isn't afraid of hard work and getting her hands dirty. 
     Even though Charlie wanted to stay in Alabama with Fiona, I appreciate how he felt he needed to finish his obligation to serve in the British Navy. Even though he didn't agree with the British trying to take over New Orleans and Mobile, he was determined to do his best where God put him and finish the job he started. 
     This series has become one of my favorites.  I like the family connections and the interesting stories that have come about in each.  I like how the author has taken major events in US history and brought them to life.  This is one series I look forward to reading and will hate to see it come to an end.  The only suggestion I could make would be to put a family tree in each book.  There is one on the author's page but I had trouble pulling it up on my phone.  It would be nice to have one readily available in the book to glance at quickly when a refresher is needed.  Other than that, keep up the excellent work!!

This book was provided by the author and Revell for review without compensation.

Beth White's day job is teaching music at an inner-city high school in historic Mobile, Alabama.  A native Mississippian, she writes historical romance with a Southern drawl and is the author of The Pelican Bride and The Creole Princess.  Her novels have won the American Christian Writers Carol Award, the RT Book Club Reviewers' Choice Award, and the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award.  Learn more at www.bethwhite.net. 

Whispers in the Reading Room Book Review

 

Chicago World's Fair Mystery Series

Book Three

SUMMARY:  Lydia's job at the library is her world - until a mysterious patron catches her eye . . . and perhaps her heart.

     Just months after the closure of the Chicago World's Fair, librarian Lydia Bancroft finds herself fascinated by a mysterious dark-haired and dark-eyes patron.  He has never given her his name; he actually never speaks to a single person.  All she knows about him is that he loves books as much as she does.

     Only when he rescues her in the lobby of the Hartman Hotel does she discover that his name is Sebastian Marks.  She also discovers that he lives at the top of the prestigious hotel and that most everyone in Chicago is intrigued by him.

    Lydia and Sebastian form a fragile friendship, but when she discovers that Mr. Marks isn't merely a very wealthy gentleman, but also the proprietor of an infamous saloon and gambling club, she is shocked.

     Lydia insists on visiting the club one fateful night and suddenly is a suspect to a murder.  She must determine who she can trust, who is innocent, and if Sebastian Marks - the man so many people fear - is actually everything her heart believes him to be.

REVIEW:  Everything is not always what it seems or looks like.  Appearances and actions can be deceiving.  Lydia is believed to be a wealthy debutante, but in reality her father's death left her and her mother penniless and destitute.  Sebastian looks to be the finest of gentlemen, well educated and refined but he was raised on the wrong side of the tracks and learned everything he knows from reading anything and everything he can.  

     I like how Lydia doesn't accept society's "norms" and kinda does what she wants. She wears her glasses all the time, when society thought such practice was very unacceptable and frowned upon.  When she realizes her fiance Jason has a very bad temper and he hurts her in public, Lydia does not sit back and take it but refuses to marry him.  She is willing to do what it takes to make sure her mother is taken care of and feels secure.  

     Sebastian struggles with getting close to anyone, even Vincent and Bridget, who work closest to him constantly.  I like how they stick by him and support him when it looks like Sebastian is being arrested.  Bridget risks her life to help Sebastian when he is followed into a bad part of town by a disreputable and dangerous man.  

     This was an engrossing book, capturing my attention at the beginning and keeping it until the very end.  Even though it is the third book in this series, I did not feel like I was missing anything since I had not read the first two.  The story flowed seamlessly.  It is one I would highly recommend.

This book was provided by The Fiction Guild for review without compensation.

Shelley Gray is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, a finalist for the American Christian Fiction Writers' prestigious Carol Award, and a two-time HOLT Medallion winner.  She lives in southern Ohio, where she writes full-time, bakes too much, and can often be found walking her dachshunds on her town's bike trail. She also spends a lot of time online.  Please visit her website at www.shelleyshepardgray.com.  Find her on Facebook at Facebook.com/ShelleyShepardGray.

The Mistress of Tall Acre Book Review

SUMMARY:  There can only be one mistress of Tall Acre.
     The American Revolution is finally over, and Sophie Menzies is starved for good news.  When her nearest neighbor, General Seamus Ogilvy, finally comes home to Tall Acre, she hopes it is a sign of better days to come.  But the general is now a widower with a small daughter in desperate need of a mother. Nearly destitute, Sophie agrees to marry Seamus and become the mistress of Tall Acre in what seems a safe, sensible arrangement. But when a woman from the general's past returns without warning, the ties that bind this fledgling family together will be strained to the utmost.  When all is said and done, who will be the rightful mistress of Tall Acre?
     Triumph and tragedy, loyalty and betrayal - you will find it all in the rich pages of this newest novel from the talented pen of Laura Frantz.

REVIEW:  Laura Frantz does a great job showing her readers what life after the American Revolution might have been like for those who served and for one who's loyalty to the cause is questioned due to familial choices.  Sophie was born in Scotland but raised in America, a land she loved.  But, because her father chose to side with the British and moved back to the familial lands in Scotland, Sophie is considered an outcast.
     I enjoyed reading how Seamus' daughter Lily Cate loved Sophie and was ready to accept her as her new mother.  I also liked how Sophie's faith played a big part in everything she did and how it affected those around her for the better.  The author threw a curve ball with the return of the woman from the general's past.  I was not expecting it and loved how everything worked out in the end.
     This is a great book.  Check it out!

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

Laura Frantz is a Christy Award finalist and the author of several books, including The Frontiersman's Daughter, Courting Morrow Little, The Colonel's Lady, and the Ballantyne Legacy series.  She lives and writes in a log cabin in the heart of Kentucky.  Learn more at www.laurafrantz.net.

Through Waters Deep Book Review

Waves of Freedom Series

Book One

SUMMARY:  War is coming.  Can love carry them through the rough waters that lie ahead?

     It's 1941 and America teeters on the brink of war.  Handsome and outgoing naval officer Ensign Jim Avery escorts British convoys across the North Atlantic in a brand new destroyer, the USS Atwood.  On shore, Jim encounters Mary Stirling, a childhood friend who is now an astute and beautiful Boston Navy Yard secretary.

     When evidence of sabotage on the Atwood is discovered, Jim and Mary must work together to uncover the culprit.  A bewildering maze of suspects emerges, and Mary is dismayed to find that even someone close to her is under suspicion.  With the increasing pressure, Jim and Mary find that many new challenges - and dangers - await them. 

REVIEW:  Sarah Sundin's latest novel introduces her readers to a mindset most people nowadays have little knowledge of: the moods and opinions of the American people before the U.S. entered the Second World War.  Misunderstanding and wrong assumptions were prevalent against anything German, British or Jewish.  So, when problems start occurring in the ship building yard, fingers start pointing at the possible culprits.  I love how the author places her reader in the midst of the turmoil of the sailors and crewmen aboard the escort ships and among the workers on the docks and offices in the Navy Yard. 
    Mary's gumption to try and figure out who was sabotaging the ships was admirable.  Even though the FBI discouraged her from helping, her boss had faith that she would be an asset and encouraged her.  She found a way she could help the investigation, which in the end, was invaluable.  Also, I liked how Mary started stepping out and faced her fears of singing in front of a crowd.  This small action helped her step out of her comfort zone in others ways.  Jim's decision to defy orders to help men trapped in below deck on a sinking ship was exemplary.  His actions could have cost him his life but ended up saving the sailors' lives.  He was also Mary's cheerleader, encouraging her to face her fears and live life to the fullest.
     If this book is a sign as to the rest of this series, it will be one to watch for.  I really enjoyed this novel, as I have all of Susan Sundin's other publications, and look forward with great expectation for the other two books.

This book was provided by Litfuse Publicity Group and Revell 

for review without compensation.

Sarah Sundin is the award-winning author of the Wings of Glory and Wings of the Nightingale series.  During WWII, her grandfather served as a pharmacist's mate (medic) in the Navy and her great-uncle flew with the US Eighth Air Force in England.  Sarah lives in California with her husband and three children.  Learn more at www.sarahsundin.com.

To Capture Her Heart Book Review

The Southold Chronicles

Book Two

SUMMARY:  In an uncertain time, she faces a choice that will change her life forever.

     It is 1653 and Heather Flower, a princess of the Montaukett tribe, is celebrating her wedding feast when a rival tribe attacks, killing the groom and kidnapping her.  Though her ransom is paid by an Englishman, she is bound by her captors and left to die - until she finds herself rescued by handsome Dutch Lieutenant Dirk Van Buren.

     Still tender from her loss, Heather Flower begins to heal in the home of the Hortons, English friends of her people.  Torn between her affection for Dirk and her longtime friendship with Ben Horton, Heather Flower must make a difficult choice - stay true to her friend or follow her heart.

     Exploring a unique slice of history, Rebecca DeMarino transports you to the wild land that would eventually become Long Island, New York.

REVIEW:  Having read the description of this novel, my curiosity was peaked by the storyline and time period.  I loved how Heather Flower mourned the loss of her husband for at least six months, even though they had only just gotten married.  They were childhood sweethearts and it was welcoming to see her honor that relationship and what could have been instead of just throwing it aside and moving on.  I also liked how the author explained events that had occurred in the previous book so that I did not feel like something was missing as I read.

     Now, I did have trouble with quite a few things.  The feelings Dirk had for Heather Flower came developed way too quickly.  The first time they met was when he rescued her from the woods after being left behind by her captors.  Within no time, he is in love.  I know it can happen quickly, but that was just too fast.  Plus, Dirk is only mentioned a handful of times in the whole book before showing up at the very end hoping to marry Heather Flower.  The novel seemed to focus more on Mary and Barney Horton and their family than it did Heather Flower and her love interests.  Also, the ending seemed like the author was trying to hurry up and finish the story.  It just didn't feel right to me.  Plus, there really wasn't a climax in the story.  A section of the story involving Dirk and Heather Flower's captors could have been a good one but was not taken advantage of.

      All in all, this story was okay.  There was so much possibility that could have been utilized but wasn't.  

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

 

Rebecca DeMarino is the author of A Place in His Heart, book one of The Southold Chronicles, a series inspired by her ninth great-grandparents, Barnabas and Mary Horton.  She inherited her love of baking and gardening from her mother; a love of horses, reading and writing from her dad; and the wanderlust gene from both parents.  Rebecca lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Tom.  Learn more at www.rebeccademarino.com.

The Innocent Book Review

 

SUMMARY:  She longs for peace - for her land and her heart - but can it truly be found at Harmony Hill?

      Carlyn Kearney has spent two lonely years bot knowing whether to mourn or to hope after she receives word from the Union Army that her husband is missing.  When the war ends without further word, Carlyn finds herself penniless, in debt, and forced from her home.  With nowhere else to go, she seeks refuge at the Shaker village of Harmony Hill.

     The Shakers profess peace through simple living, but to Carlyn, the Shaker life seems anything but simple.  When mysterious deaths disturb the peace of the village, Carlyn falls under intense scrutiny.  Can a kind sheriff help her expose the true culprit?

REVIEW:  One of my favorite things about this book was Carlyn's dedication to her marriage.  Her husband was missing in action, which means she did not know if he was dead or alive.  So, when she feels an attraction to the new sheriff, she stays true to her vows, even if she never gets an answer.  Her commitment to her husband and her wedding vows was admiring and honorable. I also love Carlyn's dog, Asher.  The way he protects and comforts her is sweet.

     The parts set in the Shaker community seemed like an oxymoron.  They are supposed to be known for their charity to those in need, but, they seem almost rude and difficult when someone comes to them for help. When Carlyn is forced to leave her house and has nowhere else to go, she decides to join the Shaker village.  Even though they provide her shelter, food and clothing, the residents often seem harsh and distant, almost like they only wanted the land she donated when she joined.  The love you would think they would bestow, being a "Christian" community was not to be found.  

     This was an interesting book but, unfortunately, not one of my favorites like some of her others.

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

Ann H. Gabhart is the bestselling author of several Shaker novels - The Outsider, The Believer, The Seeker, The Blessed, and The Gifted - as well as Angel Sister, Small Town Girl, Love Comes Home, Words Spoken True, and The Heart of Hollyhill series.  She lives with her husband a mile from where she was born in rural Kentucky.  Learn more at www.annhgabhart.com.

Love's Rescue Book Review

Keys of Promise Series

Book One

SUMMARY:  Can a girl enamored with the adventurous seas ever be content with the tame life of a Southern belle?

     When her mother dies, Elizabeth Benjamin heads home to Key West, determined to transform herself into the perfect Southern belle her parents always wished her to be.  But nothing goes according to plan.  Her brother resents her, the servants do no obey her, and Rourke O'Malley, the dashing man she vowed to forget, refuses to relinquish his hold on her heart.  Worst of all, it becomes painfully obvious that her father is not the man he appears to be.

     As family secrets come to light, Elizabeth is faced with a difficult choice: to perform her duty and abandon her dreams, or to leave her life of privilege behind to chase the man her father sees as little better than a pirate.

     From the first emotional page, author Christine Johnson throws you into a world of impossible choices, hidden desires, and heart-melting romance in the steamy South.

REVIEW:  There are a few things that this author does in this story that I found interesting.  The main love interests admit to being attracted and in love right from the beginning.  Now, it takes a little longer for them to tell each other but they do not deny their feelings.  Elizabeth's maid, Annabelle, is a lot more of a risk taker than others I've read about. I like her relationship with John and how she would risk anything to spend time with him.  Charlie is not your typical supporting character and I found him to be refreshing.  I would love for the author to use him as a hero in a future novel.

     There were also a lot more that could have been done with the story, in my opinion.  The relationship between Elizabeth and Annabelle was mercurial.  Elizabeth wanted Annabelle to be her close friend one minute and then, the next, would treat her like a slave.  Elizabeth's aunt went from being a tyrant throughout most of the book to being loving and understanding at the end.  The story was anti-climatic for me.  I like how the story ended with Elizabeth's father but I guessed it pretty quickly.
     All in all, this was a good book.  I look forward to reading others in this series and by this author.

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

Christine Johnson is the author of several books for Steeple Hill and Love Inspired and has been twice named a finalist forRomance Writers of America's Golden Heart award. When not writing, she loves to hike and explore God's majestic creation.  She and her husband, a Great Lakes ship pilot, split their time between northern Michigan and the Florida Keys.  Learn more at www.christineelizabethjohnson.com.

As Love Blooms Book Review

The Gregory Sisters Series

Book Three

SUMMARY:  Young romance opens like a rose . . . but even a rose has its thorns.

     Tessa Gregory is nothing if not tenacious.  Denied a position as a horticulturist at prestigious Como Park in Saint Paul, Minnesota, she is not above a little benevolent deception in order to get the park superintendent to change his mind and hire her.  She plans to infiltrate the world of wealthy and influential people in hopes of drumming up financial support for a world-class conservatory.  Before she can put those plans into action, she meets Reese King, a handsome gardener at Como Park - and a major distraction.  Still, Reese might be the key to achieving her dream.  But is his goal to help her . . . or to capture her heart?

     Against the lush backdrop of manicured gardens and greenhouses full of the exotic, Lorna Seilstad weaves a sweet and sassy story that is sure to delight.

REVIEW:  Lorna Seilstad tells a light-hearted story about Tessa, who fights against the society norms for young ladies to live the life she wants.  Even when she is turned down for a gardener job by the parks superintendent because she is a woman, she is determined to show him she is not just another pretty face.  Tessa is not afraid to step outside her comfort zone to try something new but also knows her limits and stays within those bounds. Her energy and zest for life is fun and refreshing, though at times, she can be exhausting.  

     Throughout the story, the author shows that keeping secrets, even though it may be with good intentions and to keep from hurting someone, only succeeds at causing trouble and heartache.  Once the secrets are out, the hurt only lasts a short time.

     This story is a great wrap-up for the Gregory Sisters series.  It is also a great summertime or vacation read.

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

 

Lorna Seilstad is a history buff, antique collector, and former high school English teacher.  A fan favorite, she is the author of When Love Calls, While Love Stirs, and the Lake Manawa Summers series.  A member of American Christian Writers, Lorna lives in Iowa with her husband.  Learn more at www.lornaseilstad.com. 

The Creole Princess Book Review

 Gulf Coast Chronicles

Book Two

SUMMARY:  Torn between loyalties to family and flag, one young woman is about to discover that her most important allegiance is to her heart.

     It is 1776, and all along the eastern seaboard the American struggle for independence rages.  But in the British-held southern port of Mobile, Alabama, the conflict brewing is much quieter - though no less deadly.

     Lyse Lanier may be largely French in heritage, but she spends most of her time in the company of the ebullient daughter of the British commander of Mobile.  When a charming young Spanish merchant docks in town, Lyse is immediately struck by his easy wit and flair for the dramatic.  But is he truly who he makes himself out to be?  Spies abound, and Spain has yet to choose a side in the American conflict.  Is Lyse simply an easy mark for Rafael Gonzalez to exploit?  Or are his overtures of love as genuine as Spanish gold?

     With spectacular detail that brings the cultural gumbo of the Colonial Gulf Coast alive, Beth White invites you to step into a world of intrigue and espionage from a little-known slice of the American Revolutionary War.

REVIEW:  Even though I grew up in North Mississippi (in the same city as the author :-) ), it never occurred to me that fighting during the Revolutionary War could have occurred at the forts and land holdings of the British along the Gulf Coast.  Beth White's characters not only bring this conflict to life but also the issue of slavery and the difficulties people of mixed blood and heritage had.  

     Lyse is a probably one of my favorite heroines.  She is caught in between many worlds.  Her mother was of mixed blood (African and white) and her father is French. Her family carries on with some of the French traditions in a predominately British city.  Her faith follows that of the Huguenots in a largely Anglican and Catholic population.  Members of her mother's family are slaves while she is free.  She was poor due to her father's bad choices but was well-educated and well-read due to her wealthy grandfather and his vast library and was best friends with the fort commander's daughter.
     The story had many different pieces going on all at the same time but all flowed together seamlessly.  Sometimes it was a little difficult switching gears when the characters and storyline changed but I quickly caught up. The hardships faced by those who were forced to pick sides during this struggle is evident but they help make this story.  Faced with the challenging decision where they may be arrested or killed, the characters make the choice and stand by their beliefs.  Something every interesting was the idea that Spain, a neutral country during this conflict, may have been spying on the British and helping the American cause.
     This is a fabulous novel that is worth the time to read.  The author's efforts researching volumes of material shows in the details but is not overwhelming.  Plus, you learn some fascinating and intriguing history.  Bonus!!

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

Beth White is the award-winning author of The Pelican Bride.  A native Mississippian, she teaches music at an inner-city high school in historic Mobile, Alabama.  Her novels have won the American Christian Fiction Writers' Carol Award, the RT Book Club Reviewers' Choice Award, and the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award.  Learn more at www.bethwhite.net.

Anna's Crossing Book Review

An Amish Beginnings Novel

SUMMARY:  Some endings are really beginnings . . .

     On a hot day in 1737 in Rotterdam, Anna König reluctantly sets foot on the Charming Nancy, a merchant ship that will carry her and her fellow Amish believers across the Atlantic to start a new life.  As the only one in her community who can speak English, she feels compelled to go.  But Anna is determined to complete this journey and return home - assuming she survives.  She's heard horrific tales of ocean crossings and worse ones of what lay ahead in the New World.  But fearfulness is something Anna has never known.

     Ship's carpenter Bairn resents the somber people - dubbed Peculiars by the deckhands - who fill the lower deck of the Charming Nancy.  All Bairn wants to do is to put his lonely past behind him, but that irksome and lovely lass Anna and her people keep intruding on him.  

     Delays, storms, illness, and diminishing provisions test the mettle and patience of everyone on board.  When Anna is caught in a life-threatening situation, Bairn makes a discovery that shakes his entire foundation.  But has the revelation come too late?

     Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you back to the beginning of Amish life in America with this fascinating glimpse into the first ocean crossing - and the lives of two intrepid people who braved it.

REVIEW:  In her latest novel, Suzanne Woods Fisher explores the idea of when the Amish first came to America.  Persecuted in their native Germany and Switzerland, they hope to live peacefully, worshipping the way the want and raising their families in Penn's Woods in the New World.  This story is about what life may have been like on board the ships that carried them away from the familiar to the unknown.  

     This book was different from the author's usual stories as the setting is a ship.  She describes the difficulties on board for the passengers: overcrowding, the horrible smells, seasickness and other illnesses, storms, death, and running out of drinking water. The reader is pulled into the story by Anna's reluctant willingness to step out of her comfort zone to help her community and to stand up for them when difficulties arise.  She helps them when they get sick and champions for them to get out of the hold for fresh air at least once a day. The story of Bairn's life growing up is difficult which affects his outlook on life and fuels his desire to make money.  His admiration for Anna grows as he sees how she gives of herself and makes sacrifices, one of which could have caused her death.  I was drawn into their tale and the attraction they felt for each other, even though they came from two completely different worlds.  The ending was one I had not expected.  Even though I had part of it figured out, the author took some twists and turns that made ending even better.  This is a wonderful book worth checking out and reading.

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

 

Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of the Lancaster County Secrets series, the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace.  She is also the coauthor of an Amish children's series, The Adventures of Lily Lapp.  Suzanne is a Carol Award winner for The Search, a Carol Award finalist for The Choice, and a Christy Award finalist for The Waiting.  She is also a columnist for Christian Post and Cooking & Such magazines.  She lives in California.  Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Twitter @suzannewfisher.

The Trouble with Patience Book Review

Virtues and Vices of the Old West

Book One

SUMMARY:  Patience Cavanaugh has lost hope in romance.  The man she yearned to marry is dead and her dreams are gone with him.  Now she is consumed with restoring a dilapidated boardinghouse in order to support herself.

     Despite Patience's desire for solitude, Jedediah Jones, the local marshal with a reputation for handing criminals, becomes an ever-looming part of her life.  It seems like such a simple arrangement:  She needs someone with a strong back to help her fix up the boardinghouse.  He needs a dependable source of food for himself and his prisoners.  But as she gets to know this "hanging lawman," Patience finds there is far more to him than meets the eye - and it could destroy their tenuous relationship forever.  

     With a keen eye for historical detail and a deft hand at romantic tension, Maggie Brendan invites you to a Montana gold rush boomtown, where vices and virtues are on full display and love is lying in wait.

REVIEW:  The main character is not your typical heroine.  Patience is independent, but still willing to ask for help repairing her home.  She is larger than your average protagonist and often wishes she was thinner and had smaller feet.  She has a difficult relationship with her mother, Charity.  When Charity comes to visit her in Montana, Patience decides to do what she can to mend the relationship.
     The dramatic portions of the book felt a little flat to me.  The storyline seemed to drag in spots.  One of the good things about the book was it was harder for me to figure out who the protagonist was.  When I thought I had it figured out, I was pleasantly proven was wrong. The epilogue timeline caught me off-guard, too.  It was a farther out (time wise) than I was thinking because a lot of events occurred between the end of the book and the beginning of the epilogue.
      All in all, it's a good book.  I am interested to read the other books in this series to see who the future novels will be about and to see what their stories are.

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

Maggie Brendan is the bestselling author of the Heart of the West and The Blue Willow Brides series.  Winner of the 2014 Book Buyers Best Award (OCC/RWA) for inspirational fiction and the 2013 Laurel Wreath Award, she was a finalist for the 2013 Published Maggie Award of  Excellence and the 2013 Hearts of Excellence Readers' Choice Award.  To learn more, visit www.MaggieBrendan.com.

Surprised by Love Book Review

 The Heart of San Francisco

Book Three

SUMMARY:  She can turn the head of the man spurned her - but can she turn his heart?

     When Megan McClure left San Francisco to study in Paris, no one would accuse her of being poised and pretty.  But on the other side of the Atlantic, this wallflower blossomed into a beauty with big dreams.  When she returns to California and accepts an internship at the district attorney's office, she's thrilled that her life is taking shape.  But the exciting opportunity quickly loses its glow when she discovers she'll be working alongside Devin Caldwell, who mercilessly mocked her at school - and with whom she was hopelessly enamored.

     Bram Hughes is the best friend to whom Megan has always turned for support and advice.  But when she seeks his counsel about working with Devin Caldwell, Bram's vision is clouded by his sudden unwelcome attraction to a girl he had always thought of as a little sister.  He advises forgiveness, but can he forgive himself for pushing the woman he loves into the arms of another man?

REVIEW:  Of the three books in this series, this one is my favorite!  I love how Megan has come into her own, making a few minor changes to her appearance that makes major waves at home.  She takes the DA's office by storm, making her name for herself with the projects she is given being completed thoroughly and in a timely manner.  My favorite part was how a bunch of loose ends are tied up and the surprises that occur at the end of the book.  This is a great end to this series.  I look forward to reading more by this author.

This book was provided by Revell for review without compensation.

Julie Lessman is an award-winning author of The Daughters of Boston series, the Winds of Change series and The Heart of San Francisco series.  The recipient of seventeen Romance Writers of America and other awards, Lessman was chosen as the #1 Romance Fiction Author of the Year in the Family Fiction magazine 2011 and 2012 Readers' Choice Awards.  She resides in Missouri with her family.  Learn more at www.julielessman.com.