Ava by Caryl McAdoo

 

1854 Louisiana to Montana. Ava is sold by a relative as a mail order bride, but she knew her ground and could take care of herself if she wanted to return to the place where she grew up. She is used to living off the land, and skilled. On the way with the wagon train, travelling with a Madam and 3 doves makes for an interesting story as Noble spies her and travels along too. Turns out his father is the one who had paid for the brides. They have things to work out, mainly his lack of faith. She's determined and on a mission, and is successful. Good read. 

I received this book free from the author, publisher and CelebrateLit book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

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About the Book

Book: Ava

Author: Caryl McAdoo

Genre: Historical Christian Romance

Release date: May 3, 2023

And a child will lead them.

Even if she’s a seventeen-year-old, raven-haired bear slayer though? Ava May, head strong, fetching, and true of soul grew up wise in the ways of swamp living while so naive concerning the outside world. Gold for her ma to pay off her dead father’s debts and the promise of great adventure transport her from her backwoods Louisiana cabin to Montana’s big sky county to marry a stranger. However, love threatens to thwart all the plans made for the mail-order bride before the wagon train’s wheels stop rolling. Enjoy your journey with Ava and the other brides under Miss Lottie’s care on the Oregon Trail, living though temptations, dangers, and the harrowing trek.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Award-winning, Christian author Caryl McAdoo prays her story brings God glory. Of her best-selling novels, readers love her historical Christian romance family sagas most, but also enjoy their contemporary cousins, Caryl’s Biblical fiction, her historical mystery series, and tales for young adults, mid-grade booklovers, and pre-K through 2^nd grade picture books.

The majority of reviewers award her stories five-stars and praise Caryl’s writing style, citing her extensive research and the depth of her characters.

The prolific writer loves singing the new songs God gives her almost as much as penning new novels—hear a few at YouTube! She’s been married to Ron fifty-five years, and they share four children and twenty-five grandsugars. The McAdoos live in the woods south of Clarksville, seat of Red River County in far Northeast Texas, waiting expectantly for God to open the next door. 

More from Caryl

2023 is the fifth annual Prairie Roses Collection, and I’m so excited to add AVA to my contributions for this multi-author, covered-wagon-stories project! The sojourners of these grueling treks fascinate me, willingly suffering such hardships and walking two thousand miles for a fresh start.

In fact, Ava May Harley never wanted to leave her home, a log cabin her father built in Skeeter Bottoms. She was born there, but with her Pap gone, for her family’s sake . . . The Word says if we don’t take care of our own, we are worse than an infidel, right?

What have you sacrificed for the sake of your family?

What immediately comes to my mind is the time we gave up our “golden years” and put off our empty-nest for fourteen years to take in four precious grandsugar-sons when we were fifty-two. They were six, four, three, and three-days-old. 

Had we not, CPS was going to remove them from our family and spread the brothers out among strangers. Ron and I couldn’t let that happen and asked them to leave the boys with us. Of course, we thought it would only be for a few months. 

We assumed their parents would attend the required classes and ‘get clean’ Figured we could do anything for a couple of months, right? The short months turned into years. Each boy left when the graduated high school, except the baby. When the third brother left, he asked to go with him to the other grandmother’s. He was fourteen then.

When people asked how we did it, there was an easy answer. 😊 “Only by the mercy and grace of God.” The boys are grown now. The oldest is a fire fighter, and the youngest is a Marine. Ron and I have enjoyed our empty nest since 2017 (at 67 years of age), but we miss our fellers!

In AVA, my sweet heroine was only seventeen when a cousin dangled gold coins in front of her broke and bereft mother. Ma could buy a proper gravestone for her dead husband and pay off his debts if she would only send her firstborn off to marry a stranger in Montana. 

My brave and independent character made her own decision to make the journey for the betterment of her family and count it a great adventure. As the miles piled on top one another, taking her farther and farther from her life in the Louisiana swamps, the only home she’d ever known, she doubted her decision more than once.

Her strong faith in God worked with her naivety and kept her on the Oregon Trail, moving ever toward her future. When a person knows God has a plan, and believes they are on that very path, there’s no reason to be afraid or worry. She knew God would never leave her or forsake her.

She knew how completely trustworthy He is.

I fell in love with this precious character, and I hope you will, too. I hope you will enjoy going along with AVA on the harrowing journey!
How involved have you gotten with a book character in the past? Share the character’s name and the book’s title if you will in your comments below! 😊 

BLESSINGS!

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, June 15
Connie’s History Classroom, June 16
For the Love of Literature, June 17 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, June 18
For Him and My Family, June 19
Locks, Hooks and Books, June 20
Tell Tale Book Reviews, June 21 (Author Interview)
Books You Can Feel Good About, June 21
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, June 22
Splashes of Joy , June 23
Adventures of a Travelers Wife, June 24 (Author Interview)
Cover Lover Book Review, June 25
Pause for Tales, June 26
Splashes of Joy, June 27 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, June 27
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, June 28

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Caryl is giving away the prize of a $50 Amazon gift card and copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/2658c/ava-celebration-tour-giveaway

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The School for German Brides by Aimie K. Runyan

 

Wow, what an intense book. Three young girls trying to live their lives in Berlin 1930s when WW2 was beginning. One was from a wealthy background, but her parents were rough on her. Another had a mother who was a doctor, frowned upon at that time, and was sent to her very wealthy Aunt and Uncle when her mother died. Both of these girls were expected to marry good connections in the party and advance themselves and their families in the party and status. The third girl was a Jew from a family of lawyers with an Aryan father who disowned them when things started getting dangerous. He left them to support themselves which they did as seamstresses and clothing designers for the wealthy. They are all struggling with their circumstances and trying not to get in trouble or killed. No one could be trusted. They were being taught hatred and prejudice and were expected to embrace it. They eventually trusted each other and saved each other's lives, during a complicated and stressful time. It's very hard to put down. I was grateful for the epilogue telling how they all did later on. Don't think you've read too many WW2 stories or think they would all be the same. Each life and story is unique and inspiring when you know what people went through. Lessons that should never be forgotten. One of those books that stays with you and leaves a mark.

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.

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A Bride of Convenience by Jody Hedlund

 

British Columbia in 1863. Third in The Bride Ships series, this ship is women who had lost their jobs in the mills of England, taking place after America's Civil War and the gold rush in Victoria.  The story gently builds until you can't put it down. Both feeling unworthy for entirely different reasons, Zoe and Abe grow closer, perfectly matched. God's plan for them puts them on a path, but it isn't easy to see. Neither would logically think they would end up together. Abe had been sent there by the Church of England. He's not the uppity type, and makes himself part of the community, not above spreading God's word to everyone who lived there. He was beloved by them, but the Church disapproved of his actions. Beautiful story of people who are looked down on for being who they are, yet God perfectly uses just such people and makes the world a better place for all of us.
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.
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The Preacher's Bride Collection

Six Old -Fashioned Romances Built on Faith and Love
Kimberley Comeaux, Kristy Dykes, Darlene Franklin, Sally Laity, DiAnn Mills, Colleen L. Reece

What an interesting collection. Creativity abounds! Good long stories, taking you all over and to different kinds of people and situations in the early days of our country.  Such deep and special stories it doesn't really feel like a collection type book. I was fascinated by the wagon train story. It had a way that seemed close to my heart. God has a way of taking us, as we start out in our young lives going in the way we are set on, and gently (or not) curving our path in unexpected ways. Especially in these stories, making the way an interesting one, and anything but boring. There's no way to choose a favorite here. Each is so deep and special, the only thing in common being Preachers and Brides. Some of these authors were new to me - I'm a fan now! It would be neat if there were continuing stories off of these, series style.

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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Diamond in the Rough by Jen Turano

"Everyone at the table seemed to hold their breath as the snail continued its flight right before it smacked some poor gentleman in the back of the head. Splatters of snail flew from the shell, gasps rang out from numerous guests, and then utter silence descended."

Marvelous mayhem. As I always say, cheer up, read a Jen Turano book! Certainly one of the best authors ever.

1885. Perfectly capable Poppy leaves her parents horse farm to spend a Season with her socially fashionable Grandmother of the Four Hundred. A Grandmother determined that Poppy will be considered a Diamond of the first water. Her Propensity for mishaps will of course keep you in stitches, rolling on the floor laughing, then in awww for the sweetness and heart of these characters.
Reginald is there from England to help his cousin find a suitable bride. He is conscripted by Poppy's Grandmother to teach Poppy how to behave properly in society,  something very necessary for her to be considered as a bride in England's Social circles. Sweet people struggling to make their way, and never a dull moment with Poppy around. She can ride, run and shoot em up with the best. Not valuable traits to those in Society. But maybe its time for Society's rules to change. Poppy has her own kind of influence. As always, an excellent read!

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 Bride of Ivy Green by Julie Klassen

 

Christian Historical Romance, England 1821. As good as it gets! This is one of those books where you find the characters to be so dear, you don't want the book to end. If you're like me and read the previous books, you remember everything instantly and jump eagerly into this book, savoring every bit since this is the conclusion to the series. If you didn't read the previous books, do yourself a favor and do so. You can still enjoy this book if you don't but it's so nice to have "the rest of the story". Relationships are so important, and these characters have grown as the story has evolved. Love has grown, personal feelings and situations have been weighed, nothing is easy. Very satisfying story.

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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Mail Order Mishaps

4 Brides Adapt When Marriage Plans Go Awry
by Susan Page Davis; Linda Ford; Vickie McDonough; Erica Vetsch

Neat set of stories set in the 1800s. Christian Historical Romance. Girls and guys who are looking to marry, to make a better life for themselves in America. So well told, you slip easily into their lives and feel their struggles. In one a bride arrives to find her match in jail, in another a bride who wasn't, then found a new place to fit in, then in another an Irish girl who got tickets to go to a groom by mistake. Barbour books are always a wonderful read!

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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