Showing posts with label historical. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 19, 2025

The Marriage Masquerade by Erica Vetsch

Quick read that's written so well that you don't want to put it down. Anastasia and Noah both come from very wealthy and very controlling families. They each escape their families and find work on the same island, never suspecting the other's secrets. They get to know each other through trials, strengthening faith and wonderful people around them. Excellent story to get lost in.

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.

#TheMarriageMasquerade #EricaVetsch #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #CelebrateLit #WildHeartBooks #ChristianHistoricalRomance

About the Book

Book: The Marriage Masquerade

Author: Erica Vetsch

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: July 8, 2025

A disgraced captain and a runaway heiress—hiding from the past and bound by fate—will their marriage masquerade lead to true love?

Noah Kennebrae, disgraced ship captain, has escaped to a remote lighthouse to avoid his grandfather’s schemes and the ghosts that haunt him. Taking a job under an assumed name, he’s determined to start over—until he meets Annie Fairfax. The feisty housekeeper’s warmth and spirit captivate him, and he falls for her despite his best efforts. But he’s keeping secrets that could destroy her trust…and his chance at redemption.

Desperate to escape the calculating grasp of her father, Anastasia “Annie” Michaels flees home to become the unlikely housekeeper on an isolated island. Working incognito at the lighthouse, she finds solace in her newfound independence and unexpected friendship with Nick. However, as their relationship deepens, Annie’s fear of abandonment resurfaces when she learns the truth Nick has been hiding.

Caught in a marriage masquerade of their own making, Noah and Annie must navigate secrets, lies, and painful pasts in hopes of a future together.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Best-selling, award-winning author of The Debutante’s Code, first in the Thorndike & Swann Regency Mystery Series, Erica Vetsch loves Jesus, history, romance, and sports. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s planning her next trip to a history museum.

More from Erica

I love a hidden identity story! And in the case of The Marriage Masquerade, both the hero AND the heroine are hiding their true identities.

The Marriage Masquerade features Noah, who is running from the guilt of a mistake he feels he made that lost both a Great Lakes ship and several lives. Anastasia Michaels is running away from an arranged marriage.

They both flee to a remote lighthouse on the North Shore of Lake Superior, he as an assistant lighthouse keeper and she as a housekeeper and cook.

The lighthouse in The Marriage Masquerade is based directly upon the Split Rock Lighthouse, one of my favorite places to visit along the North Shore. Situated on a cliff high above the lake, Split Rock is one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world.

When I first visited this exquisite place, I fell in love. And when I fall in love with an historical site, I need to know as much of the history of the place as I can. Several of the incidents that occur at the fictional lighthouse in the story come directly from the history of Split Rock.

Filtering liquid mercury, polishing the Fresnel lens, hiding dishes in the oven when the inspector comes, and other happenings in The Marriage Masquerade actually happened in the real lives of the lightkeepers at Split Rock.

Noah and Anastasia’s story is a forced proximity romance, with a dash of hidden identity, redemption, and learning to stand on your own two feet. I hope you’ll enjoy their journey from fearful, guilt-ridden characters to healed through love, confident, and ready to embark on a lifelong journey together.

If you would like to learn more about Split Rock and see glorious photos of this picturesque site, check out: https://www.mnhs.org/splitrock

Blog Stops

Pens Pages & Pulses, August 12
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, August 12
She Lives To Read, August 13
Fiction Book Lover, August 13 (Guest Review from Marilyn)
Devoted Steps, August 14
Melissa’s Bookshelf, August 14
Life on Chickadee Lane, August 15
Texas Book-aholic, August 15
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, August 16
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, August 17
Devoted To Hope, August 17
For Him and My Family, August 18
Simple Harvest Reads, August 18 (Guest Review from Mindy)
Books You Can Feel Good About, August 19
Inklingsandnotions, August 19
Locks, Hooks and Books, August 20
Inkwell Inspirations, August 20
Artistic Nobody, August 21 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
Blossoms and Blessings, August 21
Little Homeschool on the prairie, August 22
Vicky Sluiter, August 22
An Author’s Take, August 23
Books Less Travelled, August 23
Holly’s Book Corner, August 24
Pause for Tales, August 24
Jeanette’s Thoughts , August 25
Jodie Wolfe, August 25

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Erica is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54276

My reviews

Barnes and Noble

Saturday, June 28, 2025

Secrets of the Revolution by Megan Soja

This is the second book in the series - we get to follow Hannah and Will. It takes place shortly after the Boston Tea Party when the British decide to button down Boston. Information circulated amongst the Patriots in order to keep on top of everything that was happening in the town and the country. Hannah and Will were recruited to help. It's interesting to see this history brought to life at a time that is rarely mentioned yet was a big part of when and how the American Revolution got its fueled start. We still take our freedom somewhat for granted, yet without all this happening and without people like this who contributed, our lives would be much different. Excellent read, keeps you turning the pages until the end. Looking forward to Libby's story in the next one.

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.

#SecretsoftheRevolution #MeganSoja #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #CelebrateLit #WildHeartBooks #ChristianHistoricalRomance #HarborOfSpies

About the Book

Book: Secrets of the Revolution

Author: Megan Soja

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: June 10, 2025

The cause of liberty brought them together. Will it also tear them apart?

Hannah Pierce is determined to keep her father‘s apothecary shop running, despite his failing health, the heavy burden of her mother’s recent death, and the mysterious disappearance of her brother. She’ll do whatever it takes to preserve her family’s legacy, including joining a dangerous ring of patriot spies…and falling for a revolutionary printer with a brave heart.

William Abbott always keeps his promises. He vowed long ago to never abandon those in need like his father did. So when new British acts of Parliament threaten Boston and endanger his family, he throws himself into serving the Patriot cause, using his position at the printing office to gather and spread intelligence. But when his clandestine role in the newly formed spy ring causes him to cross paths with the apothecary’s beautiful daughter, he may find himself fighting for more than the cause.

As tensions in Boston reach a breaking point, Will and Hannah find their bond deepening even as the noose tightens around the spy ring. When promises and determination are not enough to protect the ones they love, they’ll need to trust God if they are to survive what is to come.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Megan Soja is a multi-award-winning author who writes stories with strong faith, rich history, and sweet romance. She lives in western NY with her husband and two daughters and loves having adventures, both big and small, with her family. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, hiking, canoeing and kayaking, and playing French Horn.

More from Megan

In Secrets of the Revolution, my hero and heroine, Will and Hannah, are both drawn into participating in a Patriot spy ring in Boston. As I was planning their story, I drew inspiration from a group of famous real-life spies that operated in New York City during the American Revolution – the Culper Ring.

The Culper Ring was established in 1778 and successfully ran for five years without a single spy being discovered. Even today, we do not know the identity of all the members. They used a variety of methods to communicate, including ciphers, codes, and invisible ink, all of which served as inspiration for details in my story. I even used some of the numerical codes from the actual Culper Code Book to encrypt a letter that Will receives.

While researching the Culper Ring, I came across an especially interesting woman – Anna Smith Strong – and I knew she would be the perfect model for the part that Hannah plays in Secrets of the Revolution.

Anna’s role in the spy ring was to relay signals when information had been left at a specific location. Her family farm on Seaton’s Neck in Long Island provided prime location for her work, and she communicated through a brilliantly simple manner that went undetected throughout its operation. When a message was ready to be picked up amongst the coves of Long Island, Anna would hang a black petticoat on her clothesline, followed by a number of white handkerchiefs to indicate which location to use. Her clothing signal was easily spotted by fellow spy Caleb Brewster, who would periodically row out into the Sound, or Abraham Woodhull, whose nearby farm provided a clear view. The Culper Ring accomplished more than any other spy network during the war, thanks in part to Anna’s work.

As you discover Hannah’s role in Secrets of the Revolution, I hope that knowing Anna’s real history makes my story come to life all the more!

Blog Stops

Holly’s Book Corner, June 26
Pens Pages & Pulses, June 26
Devoted Steps, June 27
Books You Can Feel Good About, June 28
Texas Book-aholic, June 29
To Everything There Is A Season, June 29
Inkwell Inspirations, June 30
Simple Harvest Reads, June 30 (Guest Review from Marilyn)
Locks, Hooks and Books, July 1
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, July 2
Life on Chickadee Lane, July 3
Blossoms and Blessings, July 3
Babbling Becky L’ Book Impressions, July 4
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, July 5
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, July 6
Pause for Tales, July 6
Cover Lover Book Review, July 7
For Him and My Family, July 8
Bizwings Book Blog, July 9
A Good Book and Cup of Tea, July 9

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Megan is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

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

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54248

My reviews:

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Monday, April 15, 2024

Braving Strange Waters by Sarah Hanks

Wow, this is different! It's time-slip and time travel, so both contemporary and historical. Three college friends go on a cruise together. One of them is in an elevator and is taken to 1856, to a steamboat in the middle of the Kansas/Missouri conflict before the Civil War. She has a mission to complete and is able to have help from her old friends via a mailbox on the ship as well as now present abolitionist acquaintances. Very real, very interesting and unpredictable as all three girls learn new faith lessons, learn to grow in their faith and in their lives in a meaningful way. Tough to put down!

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

#bravingstrangewaters #sarahhanks #ChristianFiction #womensfiction #beachread #inspirationalfiction #historicalfiction #contemporaryfiction #timeslipfiction #upcomingrelease #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

From the back cover:

Stella Lindy is supposed to be soaking up the sunshine with her bridesmaids on a bachelorette cruise to Hawaii. But when she hits the wrong button on the elevator, the glamorous luxury of the modern ship is replaced with the Missouri River steamboat Arabia filled with strangers—and a mysterious doctor informs her it is 1856.

Communicating through an antique mailbox, her friends on the cruise try to guide her back home before the steamboat sinks, but Stella finds herself caught in a tangled web between pro-slavery Border Ruffians and anti-slavery Jayhawkers. Standing up for what’s right in the face of peril and uncertainty might mean never making it home.

Braving Strange Waters is a riveting time-slip novel with memorable characters, exciting twists, and rich internal conflict that fans of Gabrielle Meyer will love.

My reviews

Avid Readers of Christian Fiction

Christian Book Reviewers

Christian Kindle Readers Group

Christian Historical Fiction Talk

Christian Historical Fiction

Christian Reviewers

Thursday, May 11, 2023

Rocky Mountain Rendezvous by Misty M. Beller

Good book. Interesting story about four sisters who head to a trapper's rendezvous to fulfill a wish of their father's. They had no idea what they were getting into. Nice to get to know all of the characters, with Juniper being the main focus and Riley who felt the need to be their protector. The wild west at some of it's rowdiest! Trappers, native Americans, theft, a search and mystery, danger, a fulfilling journey. Very close sisters and their relationship. Communicating with others and understanding their ways and cultures. Beautiful scenery. Basic Christian values.

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.

#RockyMountainRendezvous #MistyMBeller #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #ChristianHistoricalFiction #FiveStarNovel #CelebrateLit

About the Book

Book: Rocky Mountain Rendezvous

Author: Misty M. Beller

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release date: June 6, 2023

In 1837, Juniper Collins and her sisters are shocked by their father’s final request in his will for a special set of beads to be returned to a Piegan Blackfoot woman he credits with saving his life during his travels west. Together, the sisters set out for the trapper rendezvous to find the woman, but their mission turns more daunting when they come upon the mass of men and lodges spread out in the Green River Valley.

Riley Turner came west to find peace and quiet and live off the land, but when four unprotected women arrive at the rendezvous, he feels compelled to help them and is more fascinated by Juniper than any other woman he’s known.

As their search brings only empty leads and dead ends, the sisters must decide whether to return east or stay in the mountains to continue looking–and that’s if the mystery woman is even still alive. Is the risk to honor their father’s last request worth the danger they find at every turn?

Discover the majesty–and treachery–of the Rocky Mountains in this unique combination of exhilarating adventure, inspiring faith, and sweet romance from USA Today bestselling author Misty M. Beller.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Misty M. Beller is a USA Today bestselling author of romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.

Raised on a farm and surrounded by family, Misty developed her love for horses, history, and adventure. These days, her husband and children provide fresh adventure every day, keeping her both grounded and crazy.

Misty’s passion is to create inspiring Christian fiction infused with the grandeur of the mountains, writing historical romance that displays God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.

Sharing her stories with readers is a dream come true for Misty. She writes from her country home in South Carolina and escapes to the mountains any chance she gets.

More from Misty

What IS a trapper rendezvous?

Rocky Mountain Rendezvous is the story of four sisters who head west to accomplish their father’s deathbed request—return a special set of beads to a Blackfoot woman who saved his life during his travels west two decades earlier. The sisters head west with the supply wagons bound for the 1837 trapper rendezvous to find the native woman. But the sight that greeted them in the Green River Valley (in modern-day Wyoming) was nothing like they expected!

Men EVERYWHERE!

Supply wagons would come from the east every summer, and mountain men and natives would come from all throughout the Rockies to trade furs for the supplies they’d need in the coming year. This was usually the only opportunity for trading each year, so EVERYONE came and the camp stretched for miles. This was a great time for friends to catch up, and the festivities always included a great deal of drinking and horse racing. The rendezvous was a sight to behold!

In Rocky Mountain Rendezvous, Riley Turner is one of the trappers at the meet-up, and he realizes immediately what kind of danger the ladies are in from unscrupulous men in the crowd. He helps them with their search, and they find so much more than they expected along the way!

Each book in this series will take place during a different year, featuring a different rendezvous. Definitely fodder for fun stories. I pray you love this first book as the Collins sisters embark on the search of a lifetime.

Blessings!

Misty

Blog Stops

A Baker’s Perspective, May 3
Jeanette’s Thoughts, May 3
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, May 4
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, May 4
Texas Book-aholic, May 5
By the Book, May 5
Locks, Hooks and Books, May 6
Connie’s History Classroom, May 7
The Book Club Network, May 7
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, May 8 (Author Interview)
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, May 8
Library Lady’s Kid Lit, May 9
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, May 9
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, May 10
Karen Baney Reviews, May 10
Daysong Reflections, May 11
Books You Can Feel Good About, May 11
Betti Mace, May 12
For the Love of Literature, May 12
Blossoms and Blessings, May 13
Life, Love, Writing, May 13
Tell Tale Book Reviews , May 14
Mary Hake, May 14
For Him and My Family, May 15
Holly’s Book Corner, May 15
Pause for Tales, May 16
To Everything There Is A Season , May 16

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Misty is giving away the grand prize of a $50 Amazon gift card!!

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/25ca2/rocky-mountain-rendezvous-celebration-tour-giveaway

My reviews:

Amazon

Monday, March 27, 2023

His Only Son movie

For the first time in a feature film, the controversial account

of Abraham and Isaac will be brought to life.

Hard to believe that this was done on a small budget. Beautifully acted and photographed. The writer of this story has added his own imagining of what may have happened with Abraham, Isaac and Sarah. It does a really great job of bringing them to life. It's hard to imagine what you might do if God asked you to sacrifice your only son, how difficult it would be, what you would think. I do recommend that you read the bible to get the exact story of what is recorded. It's a very interesting story.

Synopsis: His Only Son recounts one of the most controversial moments in the Old Testament—when Abraham was commanded by God to sacrifice his son Isaac on the mountain of Moriah. While traveling to the place of the sacrifice, alongside Isaac and two servants, Abraham is flooded with vivid memories from the years he and Sarah spent longing for the son they were promised—the son he must now lay upon the altar.

Buy tickets today to see HIS ONLY SON in theaters March 31st!

Link to movie trailer and information - and to buy tickets: https://hisonlysonmovie.com/

Giveaway: $10 Amazon gift card

(Note: This is limited to US winners only. Winner will be chosen randomly from comments below this post. Full name and e-mail address are necessary. This information will not be used for spam!)

Many thanks to Angel Studios for providing a sample of the product for this review.

Opinions are 100% my own.

#HisOnlySonMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #ChristianHistorical #BibleStory

Thursday, March 23, 2023

Rosie's Gamble by Linda Carroll-Bradd

1893 this is a story about Rosie and Beck. She was unhappy and unwanted in her stepfather's house. Beck had posted a wish for a bride to go on the Oklahoma land rush and claim a spot for his new store. They communicate by letter and decide that she'll go to him, and they'll try to get a claim. She's a doctor and very independent, used to taking care of herself. Well written clean romance as they get to know each other and struggle with issues, with each other and with others. Good read right to the end.

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.

#NetGalley #RosiesGamble #LindaCarroll-Bradd #BacklitPR #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #ChristianHistoricalFiction #FiveStarNovel

My reviews

Amazon

Tuesday, December 20, 2022

Where Treetops Glisten by Tricia Goyer; Cara Putman; Sarah Sundin

Three Stories of Heartwarming Courage and Christmas Romance During World War II

Christian historical. Three unique, enjoyingly long short stories that involve a family and three grandchildren. It's during the time of WW2, which effects each in a way as unique and individual as they are. These authors are fabulous, so you can guarantee this book is too. Never a dull moment, each struggling and learning faith lessons and life lessons. You'll love each member of the family as well as their friends.

#WhereTreetopsGlisten #ChristianHistoricalRomance #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

My Reviews
Goodreads

Thursday, October 20, 2022

The Brilliance of Stars by J'nell Ciesielski

Wow what a page turner. Tense, action packed, breath holding story with a deep, sweet love story. Action rivaling a Bond or Mission Impossible movie.

Ivy and Phillip are young orphans who were turned out on the street. In 1917 as they are trying to sell papers in a new neighborhood to survive, they stumble into a spy meeting. They're taken into a secret organization where they meet Jack. The three form a tight bond as they train. Their mission takes them to Russia, Germany, Romania to take out a madman selling weapons of mass destruction. Their disguises and accommodations vary from opulent to peasant and they excel. Their education involves book learning and tactical defense, espionage and assassin. Each has their own skill they bring to the group and mission. This is really hard to put down. Many of their situations on their missions are impossible, but the team comes through, outsmarting the bad guys. They're up against really, really evil people who don't die easy. Amazing 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.

#TheBrillianceofStars #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #HistoricalFiction @JnellCiesielski

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