An Uncommon Woman by Laura Frantz

Publication Date:  January 7, 2020

Publisher: Revell

ARC Copy from Netgalley.com and Revell

 

“Everyone had a chair that sat empty, a place unoccupied. Who would be next?”

 Twenty-four year old Tessa Swan, a distinct, resolute young woman of courage, undaunted strength, and faith, well understands life on the Virginia frontier in the rugged year of 1770. If the harsh and demanding life doesn’t kill you, the Indians very well may. Such is Tessa’s day-to-day existence.

Tessa’s life holds no time for men outside the five brothers she cooks and cleans for on a never ending basis until Clay Tygart rides into her life returning her old friend, Keturah. Colonel Tygart is an arresting looking man with a very interesting past. As their lives become enmeshed while trying to survive frontier life, difficult choices must be made by each of them testing their faith, dedication to family, and hope for better life.

This beautiful story focuses on the enduring power of friendship, persistence in the face of crushing loss, and a depth of faith that doesn’t give up. The historical detail in the book highlights life on the Virginia frontier and encompasses the struggles of survival, the reality of the encroachment of the frontier into Indian territories, and the very real difficulties of assimilating the captured back into their past lives.

This book is a must read for fans of frontier historical fiction or historical fiction with a bit of romance. I loved this book and highly encourage you to read this captivating story of Tessa and Clay and life on the Virginia Frontier.

This ARC copy was received from Revell and NetGalley.com. The above thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.

5/5

#AnUncommonWoman #NetGalley

Westering Women by Sandra Dallas

Coming Soon!!!

Publication Date: 7 January 2020

Publisher: St Martin’s Press

Copy from Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press

 

The adventure begins in the city of Chicago in 1852; and in California, the gold rush is in full swing. Two ministers from Chicago post an advertisement looking for women interested in traveling to the gold fields of California in order to be married. Forty-four women sign on and depart for California on a journey unlike anything they had imagined.  The diverse backgrounds and varying skills the women bring along on this 2000 mile venture help them survive snowstorms through the mountains, scorching heat in the deserts, and the death and other hardships they must endure along the way.

Maggie, a young seamstress with a child, and Mary, her older, more capable friend are the core of the group of women who leave their pasts behind and move forward in this extremely unique tale that highlights the pioneering spirit of women in the West. With resilience, courage, ingenuity, and heart, the women manage the journey and discover the bonds of sisterhood are unlike any other they’ve experienced.

The story is a heartwarming and at the same time, sorrowful, tale of the power of friendship, trust, and family. A wonderful read for lovers of historical fiction! I absolutely loved this book; the characters, the sense of camaraderie and adventure, and the unity of the women. Take this perilous trip to the California goldfields with this group of 44 women.

 I received this copy from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley. The opinions and statements above are my own.

5/5

#WesteringWomen #NetGalley

 

Favorite Reads of 2019

2019 was a stellar year for reading. I exceeded my reading goal and hope you did as well. These books were a few of my favorites for the year. I have a tendency to favor the historical fiction and historical christian fiction genre so the list is heavy in those areas. If you haven’t read these, it’s definitely not too late. Add them to your To Be Read list for 2020! The new year is right around the corner with new books from my favorite authors and a few new authors as well. Wishing you a Happy Holiday and safe New Year!

The King’s Mercy by Lori Benton

Published by Waterbrook

Review

 

 

A Bound Heart by Laura Frantz

Published by Revell

Review

 

 

Between Two Shores by Jocelyn Green

Published by Bethany House

Review

 

 

The Noble Guardian by Michelle Griep

Published by Shiloh Run Press

Review

 

 

Whose Waves These Are by Amanda Dykes

Published by Bethany House

Review

 

 

Daughters of Northern Shores by Joanne Bischof

Published by Thomas Nelson

Review

 

 

How the Light Gets In by Jolina Petersheim

Published by Tyndale

 

 

 

The Bright Unknown by Elizabeth Byler Younts

Published by Thomas Nelson

Review

 

 

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michelle Richardson

Published by Sourcebooks Landmark

Review

 

 

The Bridge to Belle Island by Julie Klassen

Published by Bethany House

Review

 

 

 

 

Echoes Among the Stones by Jamie Jo Wright

Publication Date: 04 December 2019

Publisher: Bethany House

ARC from Bethany House and Netgalley

 

 

Skeletons, bones, unmarked graves, and crime scene investigation set the background in this fascinating tale of murder and the aftermath of grief that follows it. Melding past and present, author Jamie Jo Wright spins a tale encompassing the Grayson family and the community of Mill Creek, Wisconsin where they have resided for many decades.

Present day,  Imogene “Mumsie” Grayson Hayward, a feisty 92 year old, continues to live in the past with a multitude of unanswered questions and a lifetime of grief. Aggie Dunkirk, Imogene’s estranged granddaughter, returns to Mill Creek to try and resolve her own grief issues after the loss of her high end real estate career. The two women are drawn into solving a 70 year old mystery that continues to haunt Mumsie. Adding character to the story is Collin O’Shaughnessy, a dashing archeologist, filled with theories of his own and a caring soul.

The mystery is intriguing and not easily figured out. Darker undertones creep through the story, but they intertwine with the inspirational undercurrents well. An intriguing tale for readers who enjoy mysteries and for anyone struggling with grief! Well worth the read!

This ARC copy was received from Bethany House Publishing and Netgalley. The above thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.

Rated: 4 out of 5

#EchoesAmongTheStones   #NetGalley

The Bridge to Belle Island by Julie Klassen

Publication Date: December 2019

Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group

ARC Copy from Netgalley.com and Bethany House

A quaint, rather remote island in the Thames River sets the stage for Julie Klassen’s latest Regency tale!  Suspense, intrigue, and romance add to the essence of this captivating story. After getting rather publicly humiliated during a trial, Benjamin Booker gladly accepts the challenge of going to the country and investigating Ms. Isabelle Wilder, purported to be a possible suspect in the death of her guardian, Mr. Norris, the senior partner at Mr. Booker’s law firm.

Benjamin finds himself drawn into life on the island, making his investigation a bit more challenging than he planned. As the story unfolds and more details come to light, the suspect list develops as do the motives. The main characters each have their own distinct issues to deal with adding to the complexity of the story. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot twists that added depth to the intrigue. There were definitely a couple of things I didn’t see coming!

A great read that will draw you in at the beginning and keep your interest all the way through. An intriguing little mystery that will surprise you, followed by a delightful ending filled with family, faith, and romance.

This ARC copy was received from Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley.com. The above thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.

#TheBridgetoBelleIsland  #NetGalley

4/5

The Rebel Bride by Shannon McNear

Series: Daughters of the Mayflower, Book 10

Publication Date: 1 December 2019

Publisher: Barbour Books

ARC Copy from NetGalley.com and Barbour Books

 

Walk back through history with the Daughters of the Mayflower series. Book 10 takes us back to the Civil War era to Tennessee and the Battle of Chickamauga, one of the deadliest battles of the war. This story reinforces the fact all southerners did not believe in slavery and all northerners were not hard core abolitionists. People often do not fit the stereotypes placed upon them by society.

The war forces Pearl McFarlane, a young Southern woman struggling to hold what remains of her family together, to care for Yankee soldiers from the very army that has taken three of her older brothers. Pearl’s Christian spirit is sorely tested as she is called upon to nurse and provide for the wounded soldiers. As she works to heal Sergeant Joshua Wheeler of the First Ohio and prisoner of the Army of Tennessee, she begins to look at the man behind the uniform. As Josh heals and makes himself helpful with the other men, Pearl comes to appreciate the man behind the uniform.

A very good story detailing the everyday struggles of life for many people living near the battlefield during the Civil War! The characters have spiritual and moral depth and add to the genuine sense of faith, forgiveness, and trust in the book. Rich in historical detail, this story shows a more unusual side of the war than what one generally reads in Civil War fiction. Read this captivating story of Pearl and Joshua to see if they can find a way past being just a northerner and a southerner at odds with one another.

This ARC copy was received from Barbour Books and Netgalley.com. The above thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.

Hope’s Highest Mountain by Misty M. Beller

Publication Date: 1 Oct 2019

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Series: Hearts of Montana, Book 1

ARC from Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley

 

 

 

“I learned long ago trusting God to help never makes things better. It only makes me weaker.”

                                                                                                -Micah Bradley

 “Relying on God fills me with an inner strength much greater than I could possess on my own.”

                                                                                                   -Ingrid Chastain

The conflict begins. Set in the mountains of Montana in the year 1866, this latest novel from Misty Beller takes the reader on a perilous journey with two amazing people each with differing views on life and faith. The novel centers around the story of Ingrid Chastain, a brave, very determined young woman from Boston who works in the medical field with her father, and Micah Bradley, a reclusive doctor from the mountains who hasn’t practiced in five years.

Ingrid Chastain sets out on a trip with her father, a prominent doctor from Boston, to deliver smallpox vaccine to a colleague in dire need in the wilds of Montana Territory. In addition to Ingrid and her father, they are accompanied by their maid and a guide. As misfortune hits them along the way, Ingrid is left injured and alone in the mountains until Micah comes along to rescue her.

Vivid descriptions of their dangerous journey to finish delivering the vaccine will have you shivering and shaking as you relive the rugged winter they must endure to survive. Filled with adventure and drama, this book holds the reader’s attention from the very beginning. Ingrid, a young woman filled with faith and trust in the Lord, steadfastly refuses to give up as Micah, a haunted man who lost his trust and faith struggles to find healing and God’s will. Can these two people possibly have a future if they can survive the rigors of their trip?

I highly recommend the book to fans of historical inspirational fiction. This novel is the first I have read by the author and I intend to do some catching up on her past works. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Great read!

I received this copy from Bethany House and NetGalley. The opinions and statements above are my own.

4 out of 5