Across the Blue by Carrie Turansky

Publication Date: February 2018

Publisher: Waterbrook Multnomah

ARC copy from Netgalley and Waterbrook Multnomah

 

 

“It was time to remember Martha’s advice—trust the Lord and wait for Him to do His part.”

–Bella

Action, adventure, romance and a bit of mystery pull the reader right into this heartwarming novel, Across the Blue by Carrie Turansky. Set in Edwardian England in 1909 the story revolves around Isabella Grayson, daughter of Charles Grayson, the wealthy landowner of the Broadlands estate, and James Drake, a rather poverty stricken young pilot struggling to build airplanes and make a name for himself.

Opportune timing places James and his partner, Professor Thaddeus Steed directly in the path of Mr. Grayson and his lovely daughter. The pair meet when a flying mishap occurs at Broadlands. As common interests are discovered among the group, an acquaintance builds which benefits both James and Bella.

Rich with historic detail about early aviation during this time period, readers of historical fiction and those with an interest in aviation will be very much enjoy this book.  An interesting read that also delves into the obstacles faced by women who had an interest in careers at that time. A quick and enjoyable summer read!

This ARC copy was received from Waterbrook Multnomah and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review. The above thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.

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The Patchwork Bride by Sandra Dallas

Publication Date: 5 June 2018

Publisher: St Martin’s Press

Copy from Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press

“He might look like the hottest thing since Texas chili, but he’s awful high and mighty. Too much ambition for a cowboy. He reads books, that one. He’s a knowin’ man. Don’t mind him.”

                                                                             –Warning from Aunt Lucy

This delightful tale begins as a recounting of a story to Ellen’s granddaughter, June, who has run off from her fiancé to rethink her wedding plans. As Ellen stitches on a quilt for June’s wedding, she recounts various tales of a young woman who once ran away from marriage three times. The recounting of the vivacious Nell’s journey toward matrimony begins in 1898 as she meets the charming cowboy described in the opening quote above. How could Nell bring herself to leave Buddy, a man who looks like “the hottest thing since Texas chili?” But move on, she did!

Ellen continues the story over the course of her granddaughter’s visit regaling her with Nell’s other trips toward marriage that never quite materialized. The story is an interesting, enjoyable read with vivid characters that take you right back in time. Nell journeys to the country and back to the city as she struggles to find a husband and a life that will fulfill her.

The story spans decades as Ellen recounts and stitches along on the wedding quilt. Each piece tells a story that unfolds for the reader as it progresses. The similarity in generations becomes apparent by the end of the book and a poignant tale comes to a pleasant ending.

I thoroughly enjoyed the ranch talk and the salty characters that were part of Nell’s life. The book highlights families, expectations, and the true meaning of love and marriage. A truly enjoyable read!

This ARC copy was received from St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The above thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.

The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep

Publication Date: May 2018 (Kindle Edition)

Series: Daughters of the Mayflower, Book 3

Publisher: Barbour Books

ARC Copy from NetGalley.com and Barbour Books

“If we do not work together, we die together.”

                             —Mercy Lytton                                   

A tale of intrigue and espionage with a bit of romance sizzling right below the surface! Set during the French and Indian War this tale of Elias DuBois, a captivating, rugged man being transported as a traitor, and Mercy Lytton, an interesting young woman who fits in neither the Indian world nor that of the white man, is captivating and stimulating. The adventure begins when the pair leaves Fort Wilderness pretending to be man and wife in order to transport a load of gold to the British.

Mercy, who serves as a scout for the British, is not your typical colonial woman. She is a very capable woman, well-trained in the ways of the frontier. In Elias DuBois, Mercy meets her match. Both are strong-willed, competent people. The pull of attraction is tinged with uncertainty on both of their parts. For Mercy, Elias’s role as a traitor must be resolved. For Elias, his obligations and Mercy’s work as a British scout play a role.

As their adventures take them deeper into troublesome territory, their lives depend on themselves, their faith, and the two people with whom they travel as well as their wits.  Take the time and follow Elias and Mercy on their trip and see how they outwit the Indians, the French, and even a few of their own. Absolutely an interesting read that you will not want to put down! Great for readers of historical fiction and inspirational fiction!

This ARC copy was received from Barbour Books and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review. The above thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.

#TheCapturedBride #NetGalley

 

Send Down the Rain by Charles Martin

Publication Date: 08 May 2018

ARC  from Netgalley and Thomas Nelson

 

“Sir, we live in an angry, evil world. Where stuff doesn’t always make sense. Where hope seems like something we did when we were kids and the love we cling to slips through our fingers like cold water, but” –I tapped my chest—nothing that happens here today changes the fact that love heals the shattered places.”

–Joseph “Jo-Jo” Brooks

 

Once again Charles Martin draws the reader into a multi-layered, emotional drama with depths that just will not let you put this story down. Two brothers. A past love. A radio talk show host. An abused mother and two children. A drug gang.  All of these people are woven in to this tale about Joseph, “Jo-Jo”, Brooks, a man who lives a shadowy existence in each of their lives.

Joseph’s life story plays out predominantly against the backdrop of coastal Florida and Vietnam. The novel encompasses love, war, and violence. Joseph and Bobby Brooks are two brothers with a complicated past and an even more complex relationship as adults. The complexity of their relationship is uncovered a layer at a time as the story progresses often moving back in time in order to help the reader understand Joseph and his choices.

The book is filled with themes on finding forgiveness, love, protecting family, friendship, and healing. The book is deep and filled with emotion and pain. The voice of Charles Martin whispered in my ear long after I finished the story. This book is so worth reading.

This ARC copy was received from Thomas Nelson and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. The above thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.

#Tnzfiction #NetGalley

 

Together Forever by Jody Hedlund

Series: Orphan Train, Book 2

Publication Date: May 1, 2018

Publisher: Bethany House

 

“He said it takes great courage to accept what I can’t change, and even more courage to move forward and live my life to the fullest in spite of how achingly hard it is to face each new day.”

-Elizabeth Garner

Together Forever continues unfolding the story of the Neumann sisters, three German immigrant sisters who endured an extremely difficult start to their life in America during the first few years. This novel centers on the middle sister, Marianne, who is currently employed by the Children’s Aid Society. Marianne is stealthily on a mission to find her youngest sister, Sophie, who disappeared while under her supervision.

Marianne’s job as a placing agent puts her in a position to see if she can locate her sister as well as putting her in close proximity to Drew Brady, her male counterpart. As Marianne and Drew begin their journey with the orphan train to Illinois, each discovers a new depth to the other and a strong friendship grows. As the trip continues with many stops along the way to deliver their precocious crew of orphans to their new homes, Drew and Marianne find their feelings growing and deepening.

Will the secret that each of these young people carry destroy their budding relationship? Will they find homes for all these delightful children?  Read this absorbing tale of life with the orphan train as Drew and Marianne work together to restore their faith and love and unravel their secret fears.

This ARC copy was received from Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review. The above thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.

 #TogetherFoever #Netgalley

Falling for You by Becky Wade

Series: A Bradford Sisters Romance

Publication Date: May 1, 2018

Bethany House Publishers

ARC copy from Netgalley.com and Bethany House Publishers

 

“Just because God started you on one path didn’t mean He intended to keep you on that path all your life.”

                                                                                -thoughts from Willow

 Once again we come back to visit the Bradford sisters, all currently living in the state of Washington. This second book in the series centers on Willow, the oldest of the three young women, who generally lives a jet setting life as a world class model.  Home for a much needed break, Willow encounters Corbin Stewart, a handsome former quarterback and a bitter reminder of relationships gone wrong. Is the small town of Shore Pine big enough to hold these two people who go out of their way to avoid each other until they can’t?

A watchful Willow and a decisive Corbin team up with his young cousin, Charlotte, to solve a family mystery. As the two are forced to spend time with each other and Charlotte, they remember the good things about each other, relive the painful ones, and discover new things along the way. As with many relationships, reconciliations can be both sweet and painful.

The novel explores the complexities of reconciliations and relationships, as well as the difficulties encountered when embracing new paths in life. Family, romance, and a dark secret make this story very engaging. The characters are like old friends at this point and I thoroughly enjoyed catching up with Willow’s sisters, Britt and Nora, as well as meeting the new characters Corbin’s story introduces.

Terrific book! Another great read for people that enjoy contemporary romance, family drama, mystery, and faith inspired fiction. One more book left in the series!  Counting down!

This copy was received from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. The above thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.

#FallingForYou  #Netgalley

The Accidental Guardian by Mary Connealy

Series: High Sierra Sweethearts
Publication Date: 3 April 2018
Publisher: ARC from Netgalley.com and Bethany House Publishers

“You are a blessed miracle from God, you and your men. You saved us and now you care for us. It’s the Bible’s very definition of a Christian.”
–Deb Harkness

It is certainly no surprise that a woman who dedicates her book to her husband also known as her “very own romantic cowboy hero” writes about cowboys, ranching, and the west, three things she seems to know real well. This little western gem is set southwest of Lake Tahoe, Nevada in October of 1867.

The Harkness sisters, Deborah and Gwen, are on their way west through the Sierra Nevada Mountains when their wagon train is attacked. Fortunate enough to survive, the girls are left on their own with two small children until Trace Riley appears.

Trace gathers up the women and children and heads for his desolate, rather run down ranch, tucked in a valley of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Being a single man living at the ranch with a couple of work hands, his priority to this point time has not been a house or housekeeping. The women have their work cut out for them.

Two more awkward people have never inhabited the same space! In fact Trace and Deborah are so awkward they are endearing. A bit of romance runs through the novel as well as some intrigue! A great story that carries the themes of family, friendship, faith, and social responsibility!

Readers of inspirational historical fiction and western fiction will like this novel. Read and enjoy! The Accidental Guardian is book one in the series and I personally can’t wait to get my hands on book two.

This ARC copy was received from Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review. The above thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.