An Uncommon Woman by Laura Franz

Buckhannon River, Western Virginia Spring 1770 Amazing story of frontier life with the presence of Indians around the settlers. Native Americans who didn't want them there.  Tessa and her family have a ferry business not far from Fort Tygart. Just her mother and five brothers. The detail of this story is written as though the author was there. I was fully engaged from the beginning and I swear I held my breath through the entire second half of the book.

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 Sound of Rain by Sarah Loudin Thomas

"Judd blew out a breath. This whole family left him feeling like he was skating across a frozen pond in his stocking feet."
Christian Historical 1954. Simple people, simply told, but as complicated as real life is. Judd, a coal miner in West Virginia has a life altering accident. He leaves for a new job at a timber company in Myrtle Beach, following a dream - his brother's. It's a whole new life for him. There he meets the boss's daughter, Larkin. She has a dream of helping people, more specifically Appalachia hill people, near where Judd was from. This is a beautifully told story, vividly real, where you thoroughly get to know the people and it's easy to see their surroundings. You want the very best for each of them. A story that certainly holds your interest until the very end.
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 Potter's Lady by Judith Miller

Christian Historical. 1872 West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Rose is from an Irish immigrant family, hard working stock, with a bricklaying background. She has gone to Art School in Philadelphia where even though she excelled she was treated badly because she was Irish. And was never good enough. As she went back to her loving family, they were in transition. (For a richer experience read the previous story.) Her brother had married into a wealthy family,  but they were not without turmoil and infighting. He is trying to make a decision as to which business to buy in another close-by town, and takes Rose with him. One of the businesses is a pottery, and Rose feels this is the opportunity she needs for her artistic abilities to contribute to the family business and make it grow. At this company there is a handsome assistant, Ryan, who is talented in his own right as well as a hard worker and quick learner (and Irish). He is invaluable to them. A wealthy social connection of her sister-in-law's mother is also from a family that owns a potting business. He us also a handsome young man. He courts Rose, but does not have the same kind of ambition, work ethic or moral values. The main characters are quite endearing, with full depth. They make you feel protective and want to root for them to be treated fairly and for them to win throughout the struggle and duplicity. This is also a fascinating story of pottery and how it is made at a factory level. Excellent read with Christian values shown. Togetherness and family come through.

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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Wait For Me (The West Virginia Mountains Series Book 1) by Jo Huddleston

Christian Historical Romance set in the 1950's. This is best as a Young Adult selection. It covers issues like waiting until you're married for sex, dementia, parental disobedience,  poverty of miners in a mining town, and wealth of the mine owner and his family, bettering yourself with education, as well as basic Christian values.

This is a wonderful, sweet story of a young couple who are from the same town, but different social classes. Because of her mother's views, Julie, the daughter of the mine owner, is expected to attend school but not socialize or interact with the other children. Of course this rarely works. Told in first person, the tale is about Julie and how her life unfolds within this restricted life frame, then after she goes away to college. It's also about a young man from her town whom she loves, and revelations about her father and how he feels about the miners he employs. It's written in a format for younger readers.

Thank you to Cheri and Fred at The Book Club Network, the author Jo Huddleston and the publisher Forget Me Not Romances, a division of Winged Publications, for the opportunity to read this book. I was given a free E-book in exchange for an honest review, which you found here.

I would definitely suggest this book to my family or friends who have young adult children.  I see it's the first in a series. I'd be interested to know how Robby and Julie do as time goes by! Great cover too.

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