Drawn by the Current by Jocelyn Green

 

Note from the author: More passengers died on the SS Eastland than on the Titanic, although when counting crew, the Titanic did have a greater loss of life. Yet this shocking Chicago disaster seems to have largely faded from public memory.

Chicago 1915. Loved the others in the series, this third one is quite tense as well as endearing, doesn't disappoint.  A twisted story of tragedy, trauma and mistaken identities, this is very much like an Elliott Ness or Dragnet story. Detailed sleuthing and entwined people. You have to love the truly good people in this book. And admire Olive's tenacity and courage. And melt a little over Erik and admire him too. Shows how people can do things for good reason, but they're still wrong. Brings to life the horrific sinking of the SS Eastland, while still tied to the dock, with thousands on board and no way off or out. Olive works as a life insurance agent but wants to move up into an investigator position. Mysteries and conflict appear in some of the most unlikely places and people in Olive's life. Thoroughly engaging, 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. 

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Shadows of the White City by Jocelyn Green

 

Starting in 1890 Chicago, but mostly contained in 1893, Sylvie saves Rose from going into an orphanage that couldn't care for so many children, just as her father was bringing her there. Sylvie took Rose in and raised her like a daughter. Sylvie owned a bookstore and lived above it, also renting out rooms. Kristof and his brother, professional violinists, live in one the rooms. Things transpire that Sylvie and Kristof get closer as they both have to live with letting their loved ones go. One of those books you look forward to picking up again. Never a dull moment. This was also when the Worlds Fair was held in Chicago and has lots of descriptions of the wonders that were to be seen. 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.

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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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Legacy of Mercy by Lynn Austin

Takes place in 1897 Holland, Michigan and Chicago, Illinois. Anna is from a wealthy family, her parents adopted her after he saved her from a shipwreck where she lost her real mother. As told in the previous book, she learns who her biological grandmother is when she stays at a resort in Holland. The previous is a very involved book, recommended but not necessary to read this one. Anna also meets Dirk, quite by accident, yet has also recently reconciled with her wealthy fiancé, believing she must marry for money to save her adopted family. In this book Anna is trying to live in wealthy society and cope with marrying a man who does not share her newfound faith, while dealing with a jealous society girl. She's searching for information on her real mother now that she knows who she is, and trying to learn who her real father is. This information opens up a whole new set of problems.

It's also about Anna's real Grandmother Geesje, a Dutch immigrant, not of society. A young girl and her grandfather come to stay with her and her neighbor after moving from the Netherlands - a whole new story there that unfolds. Not everyone's lives are perfect and following a set line. This is about people who become endeared to you, lives who are battered and shredded, then mended and put right in faith as God can best do. Each person learning and becoming stronger by living through it. A lesson taught in no other way. Such a beautiful cover, don't you think?

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 Promise Bride by Gina Welborn, Becca Whitham

Murder. Mystery. Satisfaction.

It will make you lose sleep. If you’re like me and read at bedtime, the problem is that you won’t want to stop reading. I was engaged with the lead character Emilia right away, and thoroughly invested in the story shortly thereafter. Emilia lives in Chicago with her brother, little sister and father in terrible conditions. She is a planner – one of the best – and finds a way for them to get out of the tenements by becoming a mail order bride to Finn who is in Montana. They have carefully laid plans but other people put a severe twist in their plans. Emilia’s father accelerates their wedding plans with a marriage by proxy. Therefore Emilia is married when she, her brother and sister go to Montana ahead of schedule, but when she arrives the sheriff tells her to go back home – Finn was dead. They can’t really go back, so she decides to settle her husband’s debts and stay on the farm. The sheriff is against it, figuring that Finn’s killer might come back. But he has no idea how twisted and turned things are going to get as those involved with Finn's murder will blacken his name and pull Emilia in. This is one I can highly recommend, a very well told Christian Historical with lessons of faith.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Kensington Publishing 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.”

Description From The Publisher
In a booming frontier town, a heavenly match may be in store for mail-order brides seeking a fresh start . . . women of strength and spirit who embrace the challenges of life and love in the wild Montana Territory.

Determined to save her father and siblings from a crumbling Chicago tenement, Emilia Stanek becomes the long-distance bride of a Montana rancher. But when she arrives in Helena, a rugged lawman shatters her plans with the news that her husband is dead—and deeply in debt.

County sheriff Mac McCall can’t afford to be distracted by the pretty young widow, not with scandalous secrets emerging as he investigates his friend’s suspicious death. Mac’s gruff order that she leave town at once only spurs Emilia’s resolve to take ownership of her late husband’s ranch and face his debtors. But as her defenses soften, Emilia begins to accept Mac’s help, feel compassion for his own wounded heart—and learns that trust means taking a leap of faith . . .

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