Bygone Christmas Brides - Six Stories of Old-Fashioned Christmas Romance

 

Special stories from special authors. 

They had me at old-fashioned. Then at the first page. All six are SUCH good stories and even include characters from Ireland and Scotland. PLUS there’s a recipe at the end of each story. I hadn’t known about the tradition in Ireland of lighting a candle for the holy family and found it very interesting.  

I received this book free from the author, 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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As Dawn Breaks by Kate Breslin

 

Her daring bid for freedom could be her greatest undoing. 

Murder, mystery, sabotage.  Set towards the end of WW1, England to Scotland. Rose is being forced to marry an abusive man, by her abusive Uncle. She's allowed to work at the munitions factory, and with the help of her friend she is given a chance to live life differently, after her friend is killed in the explosion where she works. She goes to Scotland near where she grew up before she lost her parents, getting a job at another munitions factory. Pretending to be someone else isn't always easy for her, and little by little she realizes that there was a lot about her friend that she never knew. She becomes close to the family she's staying with, so the lies get more difficult. And she's always looking over her shoulder that she won't be found out.

Alex is sent to secretly search out and prevent another explosion at the munitions plant near his family home. He's following the intelligence they have learned, some of the facts hidden and twisted. There are many twists and turns to this story. Tugs on the heartstrings for the characters and the tension that builds make it a real page turner. It's hard to put down! It's interesting to learn more about the munitions factories and what the women workers went through. The explosion and other events are based on real life. 

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. #AsDawnBreaks #NetGalley.

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The Ice Swan by J'nell Ciesielski

 

     

A sweeping love story set in Paris and Scotland. A princess, mother and younger sister escape from Russia as the big revolution comes about there. They lost everything, even their few things they had packed. After they fled, Svetlana took on the responsibility of providing for them all, but they were reduced to very little. They thought they found help with a Russian who catered to the deposed aristocrats, but he wasn't what he seemed, and pulled them further into poverty.
Wynn is a brilliant Scottish surgeon who steps in to help and is entranced by the princess. He's from a prominent family, but the differences are stark at times. She is very cold and protective, and has trouble trusting him. Their push-pull story is very intricate and develops slowly. Never a dull moment! Excellent read. 
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. #TheIceSwan #NetGalley

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The British Brides Collection

". . . if God found the earth perfect enough to create people, then we should never be too proud to till the soil .” 
Beautiful. Christian Historical Romances set 1631 to 1865, England to Scotland, some are linked by  Kennerith castle. Nothing boring here! Unique love stories that keep you entertained and eager to know how they turn out. Not possible to choose a favorite.
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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A Bound Heart by Laura Frantz

Set in the 1700s, first in Scotland along the sea, then America. Lark is descended from a fierce warrior clan whose laird was killed and their castle destroyed. She and her Granny lived and worked at the castle nearby, in the stillroom. Which means they gathered plants and tended bees, for medicinal and other uses, preparing medicines for the Laird and his people. She grew up with Magnus, the current Laird, learned with him. He is a good and handsome man, but forced by his father married another woman - and it didn't go well.  Rich, deep Christian historical fiction. I want to spend more time with these people.

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 Mistress of Tall Acre by Laura Frantz

She's a daughter of the American Revolution, but her Father is on the wrong side and has returned to Scotland. Her brother fought alongside their neighbor, the General, but hasn't returned even though the General has. Sophie's seen the General's lovely little daughter and instantly made friends. She had been there at her birth, as her mother was the midwife and she was there to help. But the former Mistress has passed away now and the little girl is so lonely. Sophie's not popular in the town because of her Father - people don't seem to regard her brother's service. Their Estate is falling further into disrepair and they've gone too much without because the townspeople won't allow her to sell or trade.

Seamus, despite being a returning war hero, has a legal battle to keep his daughter because his departed wife left her with relatives while he was at war. He needs a wife to help make his case stronger. He's felt a strong pull to Sophie, so she seems a good choice.

"If she wed Seamus, she must keep her love hidden at all times." (Sophie)

This is so well written and the characters became so beloved that I found myself thinking about them long after I put the book down each time - wondering what they would be doing next - imagining my own scenarios.  Another Laura Frantz book that you just don't want to end. There's lots to keep you constantly entertained, from running the Estate to kidnapping and mystery - and lots to pull on your heartstrings. Prepare yourself because you won't want to put this book down!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Baker Publishing Group, Revell Reads - 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 Endorsementsand Testimonials in Advertising”. 

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From the book:
There can be only one mistress of Tall Acre . . .

The American Revolution is finally over, and Sophie Menzies is starved for good news. When her nearest neighbor, General Seamus Ogilvy, finally comes home to Tall Acre, she hopes it is a sign of better days to come. But the general is now a widower with a small daughter in desperate need of a mother. Nearly destitute, Sophie agrees to marry Seamus and become the mistress of Tall Acre in what seems a safe, sensible arrangement. But when a woman from the general's past returns without warning, the ties that bind this fledgling family together will be strained to the utmost. When all is said and done, who will be the rightful mistress of Tall Acre?

Triumph and tragedy, loyalty and betrayal--you will find it all in the rich pages of this newest novel from the talented pen of Laura Frantz.

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London Tides by Carla Laureano

  

I loved the cover and the quick review and was eager to read it. This was the second book in the series, but I didn't know it until just now. It works as a stand alone but I think it would have been a better experience to have read book one first. It's a Christian romance, but if you're a strict Christian you may not appreciate the references to when the characters had slept with others (although in this story they do not sleep together). It turned me off.

Grace and Ian have a past - in fact Grace left Ian just before their wedding. She's an Irish girl who's a photographer in war-torn and poverty stricken areas, so she has PTSD. But she's come back to London to see Ian and her best friend, and has an exciting new job offer.

Ian never talked her down after she left, but has not found anyone else. He's not quite sure he can trust Grace not to leave him again though.

This is a steamy off again, on again relationship. I felt that it was very interesting, but in the third quarter I was ready for everyone to make a decision and stick with it - sick of Grace's issues. I actually got to the point where I was going yada yada yada and skipping over paragraphs. I wonder if that happens all too much in the lives of those who have PTSD? I consider myself compassionate, but I just didn't want it dragged out anymore. Maybe that was the point you were supposed to get and it was pretty realistic. I didn't make a personal connection with the characters, so I didn't feel for them. That being said, in the end everything was wrapped up beautifully with a wonderful Christian lesson.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the David C Cook - 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 Useof Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”. 

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