Showing posts with label kidnapping. Show all posts

Saturday, September 26, 2026

The Missing Captive: The Deep Commitment to Share the Gospel in Early Colonial America by George Lapin

I was completely absorbed in this story right from the beginning. My husband and I both have Dutch ancestors from the Van Alstyne family who lived in the Albany area in the 1700s. My husband's history includes a story of Indians kidnapping family and going after them into Canada to get them back, so this story hits close to home. The story is very well written and quite real as to what could have happened in this time of the Queen's War with conflicts between the French, English, Indians and Canadians and shifting allegiances. It includes historical places and people who make it so and I was hooked thoroughly to see what would happen. Gideon and his sister are from a missionary family. Both are driven by their faith and wish for freedom to make their own way in life. As events take them over, their courage and enduring path in faith and family commitments are inspiring. Hard to put down satisfying read, right to the end. Quite moving.

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.

#TheMissingCaptive #GeorgeLapin #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #CelebrateLit #ReligiousHistoricalFiction

About the Book

Book: The Missing Captive

Author: George Lapin

Genre: Historical Fiction

Release Date: February 28, 2025

An unforgettable journey of faith, courage, and personal transformation

Swept into the treacherous French-allied territories of eighteenth-century Canada, a young English translator embarks on a dangerous quest through the wilderness to uncover the fate of his captive sister in this tale of survival, faith, and self-discovery.

Gideon Bates must confront his deepest fears, navigate complex tribal politics, and forge unlikely alliances as he searches for his sister seized during a devastating raid. Torn between his father’s missionary ambitions and his own yearning for freedom, Gideon’s journey will test his courage, challenge his faith, and lead to an unexpected reckoning with his past.

Rich in historical detail, The Missing Captive is a tale of love, loss, and the indomitable power of the human spirit. Don’t miss this saga of courage, self-discovery, and the transformative journey of one man in a time of colonial upheaval. It is a historical adventure that will captivate fans of colonial American history and transport you to a bygone era.

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

George Lapin is a beginning writer with a focus on Christian Historical Fiction. His first book titled The Missing Captive is set in early colonial America in a tumultuous period, decades prior to the French and Indian War. The story explores the struggles, faith and resilience of the individuals in this time period. With a passion for history and Christian values, George’s writing offers a unique perspective on the lives of early Americans and the spiritual challenges they faced.

George retired as a construction executive and discovered that he had a desire to write fiction. He possesses a vivid imagination and believes that he can use that gift to write an intricate plot.

George realized that most of the historical fiction novels he read centered on the French and Indian War or later. It seemed that there was such a rich history in early colonial America that was being overlooked, so George decided to write about that time period with all of its political and religious conflicts. The changes in North America during this era could help produce an interesting story.

More from George

I tried to make the story protagonist, Gideon Bates, unique in a different sort of humorous way. Born into a Puritan Missionary Family in early America, Gideon’s mother raised him to aide others when they were in need.

Gideon had no desire to be a missionary but desired to be in the military. He learned many fighting moves from his uncle who was currently a ranger in the New England Militia. He also participated in village wrestling matches and usually won.

However, whenever he got into a fight and the foe was vanquished, Gideon’s mother’s teaching kicked in. He would attempt to help his foe recover by giving him a helping hand or leaving a little money for lunch.

Blog Stops

Simple Harvest Reads, September 18 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 18
Devoted To Hope, September 19
Artistic Nobody, September 20 (Author Interview)
Guild Master, September 21 (Author Interview)
Texas Book-aholic, September 22
Fiction Book Lover, September 23 (Author Interview)
The Bookish Ledger, September 24 (Author Interview)
Books Less Travelled, September 25 (Author Interview)
Books You Can Feel Good About, September 26
Life on Chickadee Lane, September 27
History, Hope & Happily Ever After, September 28 (Author Interview)
Paula’s Pad of Inspiration, September 29 (Author Interview)
Locks, Hooks and Books, September 29
Vicky Sluiter, September 30 (Author Interview)
The Bookish Pilgrim, October 1

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, George 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.

https://gleam.io/p5Nek/the-missing-captive- celebration-tour-giveaway

My reviews

Facebook Christian Historical

Instagram

Threads

Monday, January 6, 2025

An Honorable Deception by Roseanna M. White

Book 3 of The Imposters (English Historical Romance Series with Mystery and Private Investigators Set in Edwardian England)

Oh my . . . this series has the best kind of detectives. Who wouldn't like Aristocrats who own a circus? Wealth and poverty mixed but lots of class, brains, brawn, beauty and talent. I was thoroughly hooked on each word and truly love each character in this family of friends. You have to know what happens and there's such a big, righteous ending. Bravo!

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

#AnHonorableDeception #NetGalley #BethanyHouse #RoseannaMWhite #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #ChristianHistoricalFiction

Synopsis:

In the trying art of balancing investigations and love, a detective must determine his priorities when faced with dangerous circumstances that could threaten everything he holds dear.

As the leader of the Imposters, an elite private investigative firm, Lord Yates Fairfax has made an art of concealing his identity. But when his newest client, the beautiful Lady Alethia Barremore, is shot while leaving their meeting, he throws caution to the wind and rushes to her aid. Though Lady Alethia thought she was only looking for her missing former nanny, she has clearly stumbled upon something much more dangerous.

Lady Lavinia Hemming suspects her longtime friends hold more secrets than they're willing to admit, and when she stumbles upon the truth that they're the esteemed Imposters, she recruits herself into the firm. While she is happy for the distraction of an investigation, Lavinia's own family secrets continue to haunt her. And the one thing bringing laughter back into her life--her friendship with Yates--lands her squarely on the disagreeable side of her best friend: his sister.

Tormented by a past she doesn't dare voice aloud, Lady Alethia does what she can to help her handsome host, her new friends, and the investigators. But as clues lead them deeper into the dark side of society, Alethia, Yates, and Lavinia learn anew that the gentry isn't always noble . . . even as they fight to hold fast to their own honor.

About the author

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

My reviews

Monday, November 11, 2024

A Noble Scheme (The Imposters Book #2) by Roseanna M. White

This is one of those series that you get lost in, because they're so real you know them. I wanted to read it slowly to hang onto it, but I just couldn't put it down. Love and loss. The Imposters go in disguise to solve a kidnapping. I wasn't sure how it would end - it's so well told. Great lessons of faith.

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.

#ANobleScheme #RoseannaMWhite #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #ChristianHistoricalRomance #BethanyHousePublishers

From the Back Cover

In the opulent and perilous world of high society's most elite--and most dangerous--families, two investigators must set aside their broken hearts to uncover the truth.

Gemma Parks is known to the London elite as G. M. Parker, a columnist renowned for her commentary on the cream of society. Behind the scenes, she uses her talents to aid the Imposters in their investigations by gathering intel at events and providing alibis for the firm's members through her columns. Yet her clandestine work would be more exhilarating if it weren't for the constant presence of the gentleman who broke her heart.

Graham Wharton has never had eyes for anyone but Gemma, and she left his heart in tatters when she walked away from him. When the Imposters take on a new job to recover a kidnapped boy mistaken for his aristocratic cousin, Graham is determined to use the time with Gemma to not only restore the missing boy, but to also win back the only woman he's ever loved. As they trace the clues laid out before them, Graham and Gemma must devise a noble scheme to save the boy's life and heal their hearts.

"A Noble Scheme is as clever as it is glamorous."--LAURA FRANTZ, Christy Award-winning author of The Seamstress of Acadie

About the Author

Roseanna M. White (RoseannaMWhite.com) is a bestselling, Christy Award-winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she's homeschooling, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books . . . . to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.

My reviews

Monday, April 15, 2024

Love’s Winding Road by Susan F. Craft

A treasure! Greatly touching love story combined with tragedy, sorrow, danger, attacks. A wagon train that went from Philadelphia to Georgia in the early 1700s. I hadn't heard of this trail before even though we live a bit north of Phila. Such sweet and touching love scenes, they're exquisite. Irish, Scottish, English and Cherokee nationalities all come together in strength and love. There's something to learn from everyone. A dream location to live too.

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.

#LovesWindingRoad #SusanFCraft #CelebrateLit #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #ChristianHistoricalFiction #WildHeartBooks

About the Book

Book: Love’s Winding Road

Author: Susan F. Craft

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: February 27, 2024

They were forced into this marriage of convenience, but there’s more at stake than their hearts on this wagon train through the mountain wilderness.

When Rose Jackson and her Irish immigrant family join a wagon train headed for a new life in South Carolina, the last thing she expects is to fall for the half-Cherokee wagon scout along the way. But their journey takes a life-changing turn when Rose is kidnapped by Indians. Daniel comes to her rescue, but the effects mean their lives will be forever intertwined.

Daniel prides himself on his self-control—inner and outer—but can’t seem to get a handle on either when Rose is near. Now his life is bound to hers when the consequences of her rescue force them to marry. Now it’s even more critical he maintain that self-control to keep her safe.

When tragedy strikes at the heart of their strained marriage, they leave for Daniel’s home in the Blue Ridge Mountains. As they face the perils of the journey, Rose can’t help but wonder why her new husband guards his heart so strongly. Why does he resist his obvious attraction for her? And what life awaits them at the end of love’s winding road?

Click here to get your copy!

About the Author

Susan F. Craft retired after a 45-year career in writing, editing, and communicating in business settings.

She authored the historical romantic suspense trilogy Women of the American Revolution—The Chamomile, Laurel, and Cassia. The Chamomile and Cassia received national Illumination Silver Awards. The Chamomile was named by the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance as an Okra Pick and was nominated for a Christy Award.

She collaborated with the International Long Riders’ Guild Academic Foundation to compile An Equestrian Writer’s Guide (www.lrgaf.org), including almost everything you’d ever want to know about horses.

An admitted history nerd, she enjoys painting, singing, listening to music, and sitting on her porch watching geese eat her daylilies. She most recently took up the ukulele.

More from Susan

Colonial American medicine fascinates me. The shortage of doctors made it critical for women to maintain medicine kits that included remedies brought with them from Europe as well as those shared with them by Native Americans.

In Love’s Winding Road, my character Rose falls into river rapids and suffers serious scrapes and bruises. Daniel, the half-Cherokee scout of her wagon train, rescues her and makes witch hazel flowers into a paste.

With gentle movements, he spread the ointment on her arms, legs, and neck. When he dabbed some on several raw places on her scalp where her hair had been ripped out, Rose clenched her teeth until her face hurt. With her hand trembling, she reached up to touch her hair.

“Don’t worry. It will grow back. Just thank the good Lord, for though it may be distressing and painful to have lost some of your hair, the strands helped me keep track of you.”

Rose’s father suffers from arthritis in his hands, so he chews on the twigs of black willow trees (not weeping willows) and drinks the tea his wife prepares from the bark also used to treat back pain, headaches, and inflammatory conditions.

When a mountain lion attacks Daniel, Rose stitches the laceration. She cleans the area with whiskey and offers it to him as a painkiller.

She threaded her needle with her finest flax fiber, and holding her breath, she began the first tiny stitches. Think of it as cloth. Think of it as cloth. She repeated the words over and over in her head.

Sometimes doing research can be amusing.

The night before I was to see my doctor, I’d read a resource book, Indian Doctor – Nature’s method of curing and preventing disease according to the Indians. I showed my doctor the Indian cure for my problem.

What a hoot! We had such fun looking through the book. Seems as if every cure involved mixing something with wine, ale, beer, or liquor. We came to the conclusion that with enough alcohol, even if you still had the problem, you wouldn’t care anymore.

Two weeks later, I saw my doctor for an earache. Of course, we looked up the Indian cure. It involved lily onions, marsh mallows, oil of violet—all taken with wine. And then, bleeding.

I’ll stick with antibiotics.

I pray that my Great Wagon Road series honors the Lord and the gifts He has given me and that you will love my characters as much as I do. Soli Deo Gloria.

Blog Stops

Locks, Hooks and Books, April 3
Simple Harvest Reads, April 3 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)
lakesidelivingsite, April 4
Pause for Tales, April 4
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, April 5
For Him and My Family, April 5
Lighthouse Academy Blog, April 6 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, April 7
The Lofty Pages, April 7
Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, April 8
Bizwings Book Blog, April 9
Life on Chickadee Lane, April 9
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, April 10
Texas Book-aholic, April 11
Connie’s History Classroom , April 11
Cover Lover Book Review, April 12
Batya’s Bits, April 13
Holly’s Book Corner, April 13
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, April 14
Books You Can Feel Good About, April 15
Blossoms and Blessings, April 15
Gina Holder, Author and Blogger, April 16 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, April 16

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Susan 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/2ac74/love-s-winding-road-celebration-tour-giveaway

My reviews

Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Embers in the London Sky by Sarah Sundin

WW2 Christian Historical romance. Expertly written. I became attached right away to Aleida as she's trying to take her son and secretly run away from her husband and also from Netherlands because of the German invasion. Her plans are derailed, and she finds herself in an awful situation as she loses her son to strangers. When she gets to England and her wealthy family she continues to search for her son. Her son has a deformity that her husband hated. Hugh works for the BBC as a broadcaster reporter and is hiding that he has asthma. There are murders of people whom they care for and a mystery to solve as they search for her son. Smoothly written, small bits of information expertly woven into their story so that you can almost figure out who the murderer is. Tense and heartbreaking all the way through as they deal with the war as well as their personal problems. Excellent read.

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.

#EmbersInTheLondonSky #NetGalley #SarahSundin #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #Revell #ChristianHistoricalFiction #FiveStarBooks @SarahSundinAuthor @sarahsundin

My reviews

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

The Wings of Poppy Pendleton by Melanie Dobson

1907 to 1992 Woven back and forth, gradually revealing a family story as a savvy reporter digs into the facts. Very intricate, details hard to unweave to figure it all out, making it very intriguing - and you have to know what happened to these very real seeming people that are fictional derived from historical facts. I live not far from the Thousand Islands area. It's beautiful and has fascinating history. This story reveals hope in some of the hardest of times for the people on every side. Very well written!

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.

#TheWingsOfPoppyPendleton #NetGalley #MelanieDobson #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #TyndaleHousePublishers #ChristianHistoricalFiction #FiveStarHistorical #ChildTrafficking

My reviews

Tuesday, February 8, 2022

Slashed Canvas by Liz Tolsma

I found this story gripping right from the start. A Princess who had escaped from Russia when her husband was killed in front of her ran to Paris, where her husband had previously set things up for them to flee to. She gave birth to twin girls right after she got to Paris. She was pretty much still in shock 6 years later. She always been taken care of, had not been brought up to do anything, including take care of her girls. It wasn't done in Nobility. To feel more secure, she spent her days at the Louvre where a painting from her country hung, just looking at it. It was the only peace that she had in her life. Even though they lived in the same building, Georges got to know her there when he took over the job as janitor at the Louvre. He was a wounded war Vet on crutches, this a better job than he was able to find before. When her children are kidnapped, they become closer as they look for clues. Through it all she is brought to reality and begins to learn and change. She also brought him strength. Great story straight through.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
#LisTolsma #SlashedCanvas #ChristianHistoricalFiction

My Reviews

Saturday, January 22, 2022

Her Darling Mr. Day by Grace Hitchcock

I found that I simply had to allow extra time for reading on this one as it was hard to put it down. Even though I hadn't read the first book in the series, this was excellent. It simply wraps you in layers, leaves you thinking about the characters even after putting it down, eager to pick it up again. It's nice to read about American Royalty, some of their lifestyle and definitely about the clothes. Set in 1883, Flora convinces her highly social family to spend the summer in New Orleans with a Great Aunt. Her parents and whole family went along, intending to marry off four of their daughters. Flora has one particular man in mind, but finds that she has a lot of competition for his attention when she gets to town. There's leftover danger and mystery from the first book, as yet unresolved, as well as jealous female adversaries who don't play nice. Teddy is getting over a failed relationship and concentrating on building luxury steamships with his family. Roller coaster relationships, pirates and attempted kidnapping keep the tension and action going to the end. Fabulous read, one of my favorites. Can't wait until the next one!

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.
#HerDarlingMrDay #NetGalley

My Reviews

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

Carved in Stone by Elizabeth Camden

Thoroughly engaging characters. You'll be completely invested in them, right to the end. Another beautiful blend of the supremely wealthy and the working poor. Attempted murder, kidnapping of a child. Saving a college from being defunded. A botany major and a lawyer who is devoted to the downtrodden Irish. Each has a truly good heart, and each is hurt in their own way. They both have to struggle with trust, in others and in God. 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.
#CarvedinStone #NetGalley

My Reviews:

Goodreads

BookBub

Amazon

Christian Book

Barnes and Noble

Powells

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Courting Misfortune by Regina Jennings

Christian Historical

It took me a little bit to get into the story, but it picked up momentum and then was hard to put down. I had to know what happened. Calista is on a kidnapping case, undercover, but in a town where much of her family lives. So much had been fabricated for her in order to do the research she needed. Matthew is a preacher who felt called to the same town. He couldn't figure Calista out, but realized she was putting herself in danger. Subtle humor inserts when her cousins come into the scenes. God's plans orchestrate each of their paths, leading to an interesting and unexpected conclusion.

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.

#CourtingMisfortune #NetGalley

My Reviews:

ChristianBook