Tag Archives: Historical romance

#BookReview: A Mother for His Family by Susanne Dietze

16 Jan

A Mother for His Family is full of charm! Susanne Dietze is a gifted storyteller, painting vivid pictures with her details and descriptions. My heart went out to Lady Helena for all she endured, and I delighted in her relationship with Lord Ardoch. In addition to their story, I was also pleased to revisit Gemma and Tavin from Dietze’s earlier Regency, The Reluctant Guardian. An engaging blend of mystery and romance, I thoroughly enjoyed this marriage of convenience tale!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

 

About the book:

Lady Helena Stanhope’s reputation is in tatters…and she’s lost any hope for a “respectable” ton marriage. An arranged union is the only solution. But once Helena weds formidable Scottish widower John Gordon, Lord Ardoch, and encounters his four mischievous children, she’s determined to help her new, ever-surprising family. Even if she’s sure love is too much to ask for.

All John needs is someone to mother his admittedly unruly brood. He never imagined that beautiful Lady Helena would be a woman of irresistible spirit, caring, and warmth. Or that facing down their pasts would give them so much in common. Now, as danger threatens, John will do whatever it takes to convince Helena their future together—and his love—are for always.

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#BookReview: His Frontier Christmas Family by Regina Scott

6 Dec

His Frontier Christmas Family is a delightful story! Regina Scott paints a vivid picture of frontier life, and it is a pleasure to spend time in Wallin Landing. With their playful banter and close camaraderie, the members of the Wallin family are among my favorite characters. I loved Callie and Levi and their holiday tale of adventure and romance! Frontier Bachelors is a wonderful series, and each story is sure to be enjoyed by fans of heartwarming historical romance.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

 

About the book:

After taking guardianship of his late friend’s siblings and baby daughter, minister Levi Wallin hopes to atone for his troubled past on the gold fields. But it won’t be easy to convince the children’s wary elder sister to trust him. The more he learns about her, though, the more he believes Callie Murphy’s prickly manner masks a vulnerable heart…one he’s starting to wish he was worthy of.

Every man in Callie’s life chose chasing gold over responsibilities. Levi—and the large, loving Wallin family—might just be different. But she can tell he’s hiding something from her, and she refuses to risk her heart with secrets between them. Even as they grow closer, will their pasts keep them from claiming this unexpected new beginning?

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#BookReview: Too Far Down by Mary Connealy

15 Nov

Connealy’s books are always a pleasure to read, and Too Far Down is no exception! The story begins with a bang, and the action and adventure continue until the very end. I enjoyed Cole and Mel’s story with its delightful blend of danger, romance, faith, and family. Although it is not a necessity, reading this series in order is recommended for a greater understanding of the ongoing storyline. Too Far Down is a great conclusion to the Cimarron Legacy series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thought expressed are my own.

 

About the book:

When an explosion kills men and damages the CR Mining Company, the Bodens realize their troubles are not behind them as they thought. Shadowy forces are still working against them.

Cole Boden finds himself caught between missing his time back East and all that New Mexico offers. Sure he fights with his siblings now and then, but he does care for them. He enjoys running the mine and, when he’s honest, he admits that Melanie Blake captures his interest in a way no other woman ever has.

Melanie has been a friend to the Bodens forever. A cowgirl who is more comfortable with horses and lassoes than people, she never expected to find herself falling for someone. Particularly for refined Cole Boden, a Harvard graduate who may not stay long at the ranch. She’s determined, however, to help the Bodens finally put an end to the danger that’s threatened all of them. But will putting herself in harm’s way be more dangerous than anyone expected?

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#BookReview: Cherished Mercy by Tracie Peterson

14 Nov

Cherished Mercy is a compelling tale! Peterson drew me in with her wonderful storytelling, and my emotions were stirred by the dramatic story that unfolded. A frontier adventure brimming with love, loss, faith, and forgiveness, this poignant story is one I very much enjoyed.

Although I have not read the first book in this series, I have read Book 2, Beloved Hope, and was eager to continue the storyline in Cherished Mercy. I do hope to read Book 1, Treasured Grace, as I would like to learn more about the characters and the beginning of their journeys.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

 

About the book:

Mercy Flanagan survived the Whitman Massacre as a child, and now her heart’s cry is for peace between the native peoples and the white settlers inhabiting Oregon Territory. Unfortunately, most of the settlers would rather the tribes were removed from the land completely, one way or the other, and tensions are rising. Mercy has grown tired of Oregon City and feels that she has a larger purpose in life, so when she learns that family friend Eletta Browning is pregnant, she travels south to the Rogue River Valley to help.

At the Rogue River Mission, Mercy meets Eletta’s brother-in-law, Adam, who has suffered a broken engagement. Mercy finds him attractive, but Adam seems determined to focus on ministering to the local tribes and keeps Mercy at arm’s length.

When tragedy strikes and tensions in the territory reach the boiling point, Mercy is pushed to the limit of her strength. She and Adam must rely on their firm faith in God in order to make it out alive.

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#BookReview: Love Held Captive by Shelley Shepard Gray

24 Oct

Love Held Captive is a compelling story! The two storylines that converge tackle some tough issues, and Gray handles them with care. The occasional flashbacks provide readers with background information and details, and I really enjoyed these glimpses into the past. Ethan and Devin each face their own struggles, and they once again work together to seek justice and healing. An engaging blend of mystery and romance, I thoroughly enjoyed this historical Texas tale, as well as the preceding Lone Star Hero stories!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

 

About the book:

Major Ethan Kelly has never been able to absolve himself of the guilt he feels for raiding a woman’s home shortly before he was taken prisoner during the Civil War. He is struggling to get through each day until he once again crosses paths with Lizbeth Barclay—the very woman he is trying to forget.

Life after the war is not much different for former Captain Devin Monroe until he meets Julianne VanFleet. He knows she is the woman he’s been waiting for, but he struggles to come to terms with the sacrifices she made to survive the war.

When Ethan and Devin discover that their former colonel, Adam Bushnell, is responsible for both Lizbeth’s and Julianne’s pain, they call on their former fellow soldiers to hunt him down. As the men band together to earn the trust of the women they love, Lizbeth and Julianne seek the justice they deserve in a country longing to heal.

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#BookReview: Christmas at Carnton by Tamera Alexander

9 Oct

Christmas at Carnton is a wonderful novella that launches a brand-new series from one of my favorite authors! Set against the backdrop of the Carnton Plantation, Alexander once again brings Tennessee history to life and beckons readers to step back in time. I delighted in the richness and vibrancy of Aletta and Jake’s story and was captivated by their heartfelt journey. I love stories set during the Civil War era, and this tender tale is no exception. I can’t wait to continue the Carnton series!

I received a complimentary copy of this story through NetGalley. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

 

About the book:

In the midst of war and the fading dream of the Confederacy, a wounded soldier and a destitute widow discover the true meaning of Christmas, the cost of love . . . and of loving again.

Recently widowed, Aletta Prescott struggles to hold life together for herself and her six-year-old son. About to be evicted, she sees an advertisement for the Ladies Aid Society Auction and applies for a position—only to discover it’s been filled. Then a chance meeting with a wounded soldier offers another opportunity. And friendship. But can she trust him? Is Jake Winston the man he appears to be? Having lost everything once, Aletta is determined to guard not only her own heart but also her son’s.

Captain Jake Winston, a revered Confederate sharpshooter, suffers a head wound at the Battle of Chickamauga. When doctors deliver their diagnosis, Jake fears losing not only his greatest skill but his very identity. As he heals, Jake is ordered to assist with a local Ladies Aid Society auction. He respectfully objects. Kowtowing to a bunch of “crinolines” isn’t his idea of soldiering. But orders are orders, and he soon discovers this group of ladies—one, in particular—is far more than he bargained for.

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#BookReview: Many Sparrows by Lori Benton

8 Oct

Many Sparrows is a stirring story! Benton engaged my senses from the very beginning, transporting me into the rugged wilderness and bringing to life the characters who lived there. Clare and Jeremiah share a dramatic and emotional journey, and I was captivated by their heart-wrenching experiences. Rich in history, Many Sparrows is a poignant story of tragedy and triumph.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

 

About the book:

Either she and her children would emerge from that wilderness together, or none of them would. . . .

In 1774, the Ohio-Kentucky frontier pulses with rising tension and brutal conflicts as Colonists push westward and encroach upon Native American territories. The young Inglesby family is making the perilous journey west when an accident sends Philip back to Redstone Fort for help, forcing him to leave his pregnant wife Clare and their four-year-old son Jacob on a remote mountain trail.

When Philip does not return and Jacob disappears from the wagon under the cover of darkness, Clare awakens the next morning to find herself utterly alone, in labor and wondering how she can to recover her son . . . especially when her second child is moments away from being born.

Clare will face the greatest fight of her life, as she struggles to reclaim her son from the Shawnee Indians now holding him captive. But with the battle lines sharply drawn, Jacob’s life might not be the only one at stake. When frontiersman Jeremiah Ring comes to her aid, can the stranger convince Clare that recovering her son will require the very thing her anguished heart is unwilling to do-be still, wait and let God fight this battle for them?

Learn more and purchase a copy.

Read what other bloggers are saying about Many Sparrows. 

 

About the author:

Lori Benton was raised east of the Appalachian Mountains, surrounded by early American history going back three hundred years. Her novels transport readers to the eighteenth century, where she brings to life the Colonial and early Federal periods of American history. When she isn’t writing, reading, or researching, Lori enjoys exploring and photographing the Oregon wilderness with her husband. She is the author of “Burning Sky,” recipient of three Christy Awards, “The Pursuit of Tamsen Littlejohn,” Christy-nominee “The Wood’s Edge,” and “A Flight of Arrows.”

Find out more about Lori at http://loribenton.blogspot.com.

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#BookReview: All She Left Behind by Jane Kirkpatrick

2 Oct

“Dreams delayed are not always dreams destroyed.”

All She Left Behind is a compelling tale! Based on a true story, Jane Kirkpatrick deftly weaves fact and fiction and beckons readers into the Oregon frontier. A woman of great dedication and determination to help others, Jennie Pickett faced extraordinary situations and lived a remarkable life. I enjoyed the historical depth and detail of the narrative and the palpable emotions of its characters. A richly layered and stirring story, All She Left Behind is a recommended read for those who enjoy historical fiction.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

 

About the book:

Already well-versed in the natural healing properties of herbs and oils, Jennie Pickett longs to become a doctor. But the Oregon frontier of the 1870s doesn’t approve of such innovations as women attending medical school. To leave grief and guilt behind, as well as support herself and her challenging young son, Jennie cares for an elderly woman using skills she’s developed on her own. When her patient dies, Jennie discovers that her heart has become entangled with the woman’s widowed husband, a man many years her senior. Their unlikely romance may lead her to her ultimate goal–but the road will be winding and the way forward will not always be clear. Will Jennie find shelter in life’s storms? Will she discover where healing truly lives?

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#BookReview: My Heart Belongs in the Shenandoah Valley by Andrea Boeshaar

17 Sep

My Heart Belongs in the Shenandoah Valley is a lovely tale! Boeshaar brings this unique destination to life, along with the characters who reside there, and I delighted in the vivid descriptions and historical details found in their story. Lillyanna Laughlin finds herself in quite a predicament, facing the possibility of a forced marriage. When McAlister Albright arrives unexpectedly on Lily’s land, a friendship soon begins and a new path unfolds. Brimming with heartfelt emotion, I thoroughly enjoyed Lily and Mac’s journey!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

 

About the book:

Captain McAlister “Mac” Albright has purchased land in the Shenandoah Valley. However, the land belongs to Lillyanna Laughlin—or so she erroneously thinks. Mac sets her straight about current laws, and despite a poor start, the two are becoming friends.

Then, while Mac is away on business, Lily is faced with the impossible decision of marrying a man twice her age or she and her brothers becoming homeless, as her late father gambled away their home and acreage. But with debts being called in, will Lily be forced to choose a loveless marriage just when she is discovering what true love could be? What can she possibly do? Will Mac return in time to spare Lily a lifetime of unhappiness?

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#BookReview: Mail-Order Marriage Promise by Regina Scott

5 Sep

A unique twist on the mail-order marriage trope, I loved Dottie and John’s heartwarming tale! The relationship that develops between these two characters is tender and touching, as they both struggle to overcome the issues that plague them. The Wallins are an endearing family, and I always delight in the opportunity to spend time in their special community. Mail-Order Marriage Promise is a wonderful addition to the Frontier Bachelors series, and I look forward to reading more!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. No review was required, and all thoughts expressed are my own.

 

About the book:

Stunned that his sister ordered him a mail-order bride, John Wallin insists he’s not the husband Dottie Tyrrell needs. The scholarly logger knows Dottie will make the perfect wife–for some other man. Yet he’s compelled to invite the lovely widow and her infant son to stay with his family…but only until she can find her own way.

Dreams of true love are for other women. Betrayed by her baby’s father, Dottie just wants a safe home for her precious child. But who could resist a man with John’s quiet strength? When her secret past brings danger to their door, they may yet find this mail-order mix-up to be the perfect mistake…

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