After A Fashion (A Class of Their Own Book #1) by Jen Turano

Another delightful, nonstop, madcap and mayhem story by Jen Turano! Kind of a cross between the Thin Man and Cinderella, only without the murder, it's a Christian Historical Romance set in 1882 New York City.

Harriet, who is actually very talented, is currently working in a hat shop. She also redesigns cast-off clothes from the wealthy for herself, and has quite a flair. And she's beautiful. She's asked to make a delivery of hats to the home of one of the wealthiest men in America, and thus starts the story. There is never a dull moment as turn by turn of events has her agreeing to accompany Oliver to a dinner with the Duke of Westmoore. Of course none of this goes smoothly, and it's hilarious all the way through. There's also the influence of a Reverend Gilmore on both Oliver and Harriet, keeping it grounded in faith.  This is such a satisfying read. If you want to lift someone's spirits, give them this book! It looks like it's the first in a series - I'm really looking forward to the next one.  Isn't that a great cover?

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Baker Publishing Group, Bethany House and the 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 Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen

 

  
Regency romance with murder, mystery and hidden treasure! 


Abigail is the trusted, sensible daughter, Louisa the pretty beguiling one. Members of the privileged, they live in 1817 London. That is until Abigail's recommendation that her father invest in her Uncle's bank - which failed. Knowing that they will have to find another place to live within their reduced means, they receive an invitation from the solicitor on her father's side of the family to come and live at Pembrooke Park - which has been closed up for about 18 years. Since they have found little else that suits them, Abigail and her father go to take a look. They find it will be a grand manor - when cleaned up - and learn that there is also a mystery about the place. Stories of a hidden treasure in a secret, hidden room within the house. Perhaps a chance to rebuild some of their financial loss. As it is their best option, Abigail moves in and prepares the house for her family. It's surely her imagination what sounds like ghosts or someone creeping around at night throughout the nearly empty house.

William is the handsome parson of the Pembrooke Park church. His father, Mac, had served the previous owner of the manor and now is the parish clerk as well as land agent for nearby Hunts Hall. William's sister Leah is beautiful, but elusive. As much as Abigail could use a friend, Leah is polite but somewhat reclusive and keeps her distance. William is drawn to Abigail, but knows he doesn't have a chance with her.

There is so much to learn about Pembrooke manor and the people who lived there before. Their history is entwined with the area - from servants to nobility. Including an old friend of Abigail's whom she thought she would marry but now seems more interested in her sister. There are new neighbors who are a part of London's society and familiar with them all. Add a mysterious Pembrooke cousin who used to live at the manor who shows up just after it has been restored and manages to become their guest. And then there are the unsigned letters sent only to Abigail with brief insights as to what had once happened there.

There are balls, intricate romances, feelings of unworthiness, old secrets and a mysterious hooded stranger roaming about. There's a race to discover the treasure and old wounds uncovered. And lots of danger lurking just about everywhere. This is a long read, and difficult to put down. It's also full of faithful lessons and the truth of where our treasures lie. If you're not already a fan of Julie Klassen, you will be after reading this!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Baker Publishing Group, Bethany - 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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Surprised By Love by Julie Lessman

 Heartbreaking romance from beginning to end!

Another hit from Julie Lessman.  Honestly, you cannot go wrong with one of her books! This is book three in The Heart of San Francisco series, set during San Francisco's Gilded Age. I had not read the previous two books, but was able to grasp the story line and enjoy it without a problem. I had read the Daughters of Boston series and this is in some ways similar in that it involves a large Irish family,  yet with entirely different people.  And I do mean people as these are more than characters to you even part way through the book.

Meg is a young woman who as a child was overweight and made fun of.  She's just come home from Paris, all grown up, with a new figure and new look that will melt the boys - and silence anyone who ever ridiculed her before.  She's still a sweet girl on the inside though, and most of all wants to see Bram, who acted as a protective older brother to her before.  Meg is granted an internship to be a lawyer, and she has interests in the medical field as well.  She is thrust into an office with Devlin, the one person who tore her apart relentlessly in the past. He cannot see her in the same way anymore, and falls head over heels for her now.  He's a Christian and sincerely apologizes for what he did to her in the past,  so he becomes more appealing to Meg, especially since Bram denies his love for her.

Bram is so glad to see Meg again and to know that she has thrived while away. He's pretty surprised though at the beautiful young woman she's become, and is drawn to her in a different way now.  But he has some secrets that have never come to light before, and because of his guilt agrees to marry another girl to help his father and his business.

Threaded all through this is another back story between Meg's mother and Bram's boss. The whole story comes together with the biblical story of Abraham, who accepted whatever God wanted from him no matter the cost to himself.  There are lessens to be learned by all as this is applied to the characters in the book.  It's a tale of intense romance, conflict and passion, corruption, deception and revelation.   You'll be pulled along and if you're like me will end up in tears at the end!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher from the Baker Publishing Group Bethany - 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.” http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html


ISBN: 0800721659
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To Everything a Season by Lauraine Snelling

Another addition to the series set in Blessing, ND in the 1900's, this is the first in a new series. If you haven't read the previous books about the Red River Valley, you will still enjoy this book. If you have read the original series, you'll be pleasantly pleased that the story of the people of Blessing is continuing.

Learning to know each character is enjoyable - they are all three dimensional and for the most part each is quite loveable. You get so involved with the entire community as the small town continues to grow. You want to know more about each of the original cast and their descendants as they live and love, have children and contribute to the town. 

Initially, the Bjorklund brothers bring their families from Norway to begin a new life on the land they will turn from prairie to fertile farms, and later into a thriving town. They bring other family over to join them with the promise of land - which is scarce in their homeland. The continuing story of Haaken and Ingeborg and all the family is heartbreaking and poignant.  But there is also a new romance that begins in this book between Trygve Knutson and Miriam Hastings.

Trygve has been traveling with a well drilling crew, which is a successful business for  his Uncle. Even though he enjoys traveling, something tells him it's time to stay home and work on the family farms again.

Miriam lives in Chicago and is going to nursing school. She has a very ill mother and also siblings that she is trying to care for and support by getting her nursing degree. She is such a gifted nurse that she is selected to travel to Blessing to continue her instruction - for a year.  It's excruciating to leave them, but her instructors make it possible for her to go. Once in Blessing, she falls in love with the area that is so very much different from the city.  The lifestyle is more like what her mother has talked about as how she grew up.

Through circumstances at the hospital and with the founding families, Trygve and Miriam go through a crisis that touches them both. It also shows the level of faith that each has and their perception of how God influences their lives. 

There is another new element brought to the town - a Catholic priest and the growing population in the town who follow that faith rather than the Protestant religion of the original founders.  Conflict builds as to whether or not they will allow this to happen.

I am a huge fan of Lauraine Snelling's work. This is a welcome opportunity to see how the residents of the Red River Valley handle life, their faith and their growing town.  I love that it's not a fast read, but instead is quite intricate. It's not really about the romance between just two people - it's about all the characters in the town and their relationships. The only thing that I was disappointed with in this book is the somewhat abrupt ending. I know that the series will continue the story about Trygve and Miriam, but I wasn't ready for this book to end yet.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher from Bethany House - 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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Love's Fortune by Laura Frantz

This is one of those books you don't want to end. Not that you don't want to know how everyone's lives will turn out, but they're such good company you don't want them to leave.  Honestly, this is a book that you wrap around and snuggle into.  It's a continuing story of the Ballantynes, a talented family from humble roots that works hard and smart, and becomes very successful.  They are all beautiful, vulnerable in some way, have strong Christian faith and love deeply.  And there is always someone in the community who is trying to take them down.

In this book Wren and her father are living in rural Kentucky; her mother has died.  Her father's family, the Ballantynes, call him back home, believing that the danger that sent them away is over.  They have been a talented musical family, making and playing unique violins and other stringed instruments. They go back to the Ballantyne family businesses and high society in Pittsburgh PA - a drastically different environment than Wren is used to. But she has loving (and unloving) family all around her even though her father is almost immediately sent away on business.

James is a steamship pilot for the Ballantynes, and has been raised as part of the family after being rescued from an orphan home. He is the utmost gentleman, trusted by her father and acts as Wren's escort  for her debutant season.

Their story is filled with the trials of high society in the mid 1800's and what is expected of them, as well as the dangers of being abolitionists secretly helping the underground railroad.  Mix in several types of personalities of those with wealth and plenty, adding pride of workmanship, family legacy and the choices they make. This and the others in the series are some that you will remember for a long time - the kind of book that you keep.

I received this book from Revell publishers, https://www.netgalley.com/ and http://www.bookfun.org in return for my honest review.

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Buttermilk Sky by Jan Watson

Five stars! Enter 1913 rural Kentucky and the lives of several poignant characters. Mazy lives in the mountains but, hopeful for a bright and exciting future, leaves there to go to Lexington and a school to become a secretary. Chanis is the sheriff in her hometown, and fell in love with her sometime back. He's even bought a house and is fixing it up for her as a surprise - right down to the lilac wallpaper that he tries to hang himself. Both from poor but loving families, have a strong Christian faith that is the foundation of their lives and continues to grow as they find their way. Each reach out to people around them, enrich their lives and are in turn helped by others as God works through them all.

Loyal, from a wealthy family, sees Mazy as the solution he and his mother have been searching for. As Mazy goes through trials and becomes swept up by both mother and son, she sees unfolding a life she would love to belong to. But is it really all that it seems?

You get to know and love all of the characters in this book. Luckily there are other books that go with this one so you don't have to leave them all behind. The story pulls at your heart for the rough times that people go through during this time, making do with what they have while trying to build a better way. Tough as it is, everyone has something to give. Their lives are enriched as much by giving as well as letting others help them. Humble gifts of themselves yet more than money could buy. And learning where your true priorities lie.

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