A Basket Brigade Christmas

Three Women, Three Love Stories, One Country Divided
by Judith Miller, Nancy Moser, Stephanie Grace Whitson

"He led us step-by-step, closer together."

During the Civil war, wounded soldiers were sent by train to a hospital in Chicago. The train made several stops, one was in Decatur. The townspeople discovered that these wounded and their caretakers were hungry and their clothes were in tatters. The women of the town decided to meet each train of wounded and take baskets with food to the men, later adding knitted socks and quilts. How this evolved through these women is a very interesting story, as is the story of some of the men. When you have men and women of faith meeting each other in a way they never would have otherwise, it makes things interesting too. I'm always amazed at the depth of a story within a collection like this. This holds three somewhat connected stories of love, all completely different, just as in life. Become immersed!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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The Governess of Penwythe Hall by Sarah E. Ladd

"Never are we promised an easy life, but we are promised that when we rely on Him for strength, we will have what we need to face our challenges.”

Vividly plunge into this story on the first pages! The author is a great painter with words, each brushstroke revealing the character's surroundings and feelings in great clarity. A Christian Regency set near the Moors, full of personal struggle and lurking danger. Also one of wealth, loss and perseverance. Excellent read that will keep you engaged and turning those pages. This is a first in a new series - can't wait for the next one!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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The Highest of Hopes by Susan Anne Mason

Fabulous book. Could. Not. Put. It. Down. 
A very talented author. You get to fully know the lead characters and why they do the things they do. Usually as stories go along I try to think things through for them and try to problem solve for them. Many times it's obvious. With this story you simply feel like there is nothing else that you would have done in their place.

Emma was orphaned as a baby, taken in and raised by her Grandparents. When they both die she discovers that her father is not dead as she had been told. He lives in Canada, so she sells everything her Grandfather had left to her in order to go and find him. This girl burns bridges. She's strongly focused, blind to anything else. Jonathan, who is her best friend, sacrifices everything to help her. But will it ever be enough for her? A great story of making mistakes for love, looking in all the wrong places. Good message of faith. It's interesting that the timeline runs concurrently with the previous book in this series. It's not necessary to read that first, but you'll be glad if you do. Here's hoping for another!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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Almost Home by Valerie Fraser Luesse

"We don’t get to see the whole map. We just have to cover our stretch o’ the road best we can .”

Christian Historical set in Alabama during the war. A couple lives near an Army plant in a big old house where they took in boarders to help pay their taxes. Money and jobs were in short supply but there was work at the Army plant. These people, mainly three couples, came together in this big old house, living as best they could. This story is full of wonderful Southern warmth, charm and humor. You'll just love these people who are all struggling in their own way, trying to get by, putting a good face on it and learning from each other in the long run. The bond that they form is very strong. This is a new author for me - I'm a fan now.

"We both like tendin’ to our own knittin’ and don’t get on each other’s nerves.”

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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Irish Meadows by Susan Anne Mason

Fiesty!
1911 Long Island, NY. Tale of an Irish family, mostly about two of the sisters who fight their father and each other for attention and independence. Their father is a self-made man, an immigrant from Ireland who worked hard to prove himself. Both sisters become grounded by the men in their lives. It’s great reading about the paths that they choose and how much they change when they allow their faith to grow and mature.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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Seven Brides for Seven Mail-Order Husbands Romance Collection

A Newspaper Ad for Husbands Brings a Wave of Men to a Small Kansas Town

by Susan Page Davis, Susanne Dietze, Darlene Franklin, Patty Smith Hall, Cynthia Hickey, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Gina Welborn

A collection of Christian Historical Romances – all set in the same town in Kansas, just after the Civil War. Each of the brides in this series of stories is special. The town was full of women who had lost their men during and after the war. They were strong and had shouldered the work for years, but now they decided it was time to bring in some help. I enjoyed getting to know each of them as well as their prospective husbands. Even though the stories revolve around the advertisement for husbands, not all came in from the ads. I found each one to be interesting and engaging.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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Beloved Hope by Tracie Peterson

Beauty from ashes.
1847 Whitman Mission
Abhorrent
Indians attacked and killed the males, raped and kidnapped the women, holding them hostage for a month. Two and a half years later, they are being brought to trial – and Hope is one of their key witnesses. She is constantly having to come to terms with her life afterwards, finding it a difficult thing to get over. Having to go through the trial brings it all back to life again. And brings back the memory of the secret she keeps. Tracie Peterson works her magic as few other do, presenting the facts and bringing to life the feelings of those who were involved.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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The Golden Bride by Kimberly Woodhouse

"Joseph wondered why the Lord tarried. It had to grieve Him to see the way the world had gone."

Interesting story of the early days of San Francisco, during the days of the gold rush. Tens of thousands of people descended on the area in just a matter of months. Two prosperous young men were trying to live in kindness and goodness amongst all the sin and corruption. They were the best of friends. Then Daniel's sister came to live with him. He owned a restaurant and she began to help him, fitting right in with him and his friend.

It's very realistic, through their thoughts seeing the struggle and difficulties of making a way for goodness when the evil around them was so strong. There wasn't any law or government, and there wasn't room for everyone. People lived and ran businesses out of tents. Discrimination, theft, all types of crime were unchecked. These characters all had and developed strong faith together, doing all they could to help others. Excellent investment in your time!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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