Showing posts with label orphans. Show all posts

Saturday, February 28, 2026

Light To My Path (Brides of the West Book 5) by Erica Vetsch

I felt so full of love for these people. Rejected orphans sent away on a train, because they had disabilities. Eldora was one of them, older now and tasked with getting them to the next orphanage. Sam's Aunt tasked him with watching over them. Quite the trip, with serious struggles along the way for these who felt so unwanted. Beautiful story. You have to have your own opinions as to how it should go, becoming fully involved to the precious end.

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.

#LightToMyPath #EricaVetsch #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #CelebrateLit #ChristianHistoricalRomance #WildHeartBooks

About the Book

Book: Light To My Path

Author: Erica Vetsch

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

Release Date: February 10, 2026

A determined orphan caretaker and a wealthy mine owner—brought together by circumstance, tested by tragedy, and transformed by love.

Sam Mackenzie learned the hard way not to trust a beautiful face. After breaking his engagement to a fortune-hunting socialite, he’s focused solely on his family’s mining business. But when his aunt asks him to help escort three orphans and their caretaker across the country, he finds himself drawn to the selfless young woman tasked with the children’s care.

Eldora Carter has spent her life depending on no one but herself. As a former orphan now caring for three unwanted children, she knows better than to dream of a different future. When a journey by rail turns perilous, she must rely on Sam’s help to keep the children safe. Yet accepting his assistance means risking her heart to a man who could never want someone like her. As danger forces them to work together, Eldora discovers that sometimes the greatest risk is refusing to love at all.

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

Trains. I love trains. I got this love from my father, who is fascinated by all types of trains. When writing Light to My Path, I asked my dad lots of questions, and I relied heavily upon the things I learned at the train museums he took me to see.

One of our favorite train museums is in Duluth, MN. The Lake Superior Railroad Museum, in what was the former depot of the Gilded Age boomtown, is home to one of the most beautiful trains I have ever seen.

It’s name is the William B. Crooks, and it is a steam locomotive.

The William Crooks, the first train engine of any kind in Minnesota belonging to the St. Paul & Pacific Railroad by railroad tycoon James J. Hill of St. Paul. The William Crooks pulled its first train cars full of passengers on June 28, 1862. The William Crooks retired from passenger service in 1897.

Isn’t it beautiful? When the train retired from passenger service, it became the personal train of James J. Hill, The Empire Builder and owner of The Great Northern Railroad.

James J. Hill dreamed of pushing a railroad from Minnesota to the West Coast, through the Rocky and Cascade Mountains. It was along the Great Northern Railroad in March of 1910 that one of the worst train disasters in US history occurred. An avalanche took out two trains, killing 96 people.

This historic event inspired part of the story in Light to My Path. A train, trapped by snow, unable to go forward or back, and with an avalanche imminent. It’s the kind of book that calls for a warm blanket and a hot cup of tea!

You can read more about both the William Crooks and the Cascade Avalanche Disaster at these websites:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Crooks_(locomotive)

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/march-1/trains-buried-by-avalanche

Blog Stops

Books Less Travelled, February 19
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, February 20
Sydney Schmied Books, February 20
Texas Book-aholic, February 21
For Him and My Family, February 22
Devoted To Hope, February 23
Lyssa Loves Books, February 23
She.lives.to.read, February 24
lakesidelivingsite, February 24
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, February 25
Melissa’s Bookshelf, February 26
Blossoms and Blessings, February 26
Simple Harvest Reads, February 27 (Guest Review from Mindy)
Books You Can Feel Good About, February 28
Devoted Steps, March 1
Bizwings Blog, March 1
Book Looks by Lisa, March 2
Little Homeschool on the Prairie , March 2
Cover Lover Book Review, March 3
Holly’s Book Corner, March 3
Lock, Hooks and Books, March 4
Pause for Tales, March 4

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.

https://gleam.io/IemaN/light-to-my-path-celebration-tour-giveaway

My review

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Wednesday, March 20, 2024

The Poppy Sisters by Deborah Carr

Somewhat predictable, but the characters are so endearing that you enjoy making the journey with them to see what actually happens. You have to love these people. Orphaned sisters are both nurses, serving in different places during WW1. They both fall in love with patients, which is forbidden to do in both places. But that's what makes it so interesting to read. Love it!! Hard to put down all the second half.

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.

#ThePoppySisters #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #HistoricalFiction #FiveStarBooks #DeborahCarr

My reviews

BarnesAndNoble

Wednesday, July 19, 2023

To Free the Stars by J'nell Ciesielski

1927. This is one where really, it's best to have read the previous book to understand the full depth of Jack and Ivy's relationship. Very deep, complex. Perfectly matched. Orphans, brought together at a young age. Secret agents for our country, trained in weaponry, self defense, hand to hand combat, stealth. Each assassins when necessary. They spent 10 years apart in agony because of an organization called the Order - dark, nefarious. Action filled story, so well written you can feel their heartbeats. Would make quite the movie as they help save the world as well as themselves. Hard to put down! Intense love story of healing and redemption.

I received this book free from the authors, 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 #ToFreeTheStars #jnellciesielski #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #ThomasNelson #HistoricalFiction @jnellciesielski @tnzfiction #upcomingrelease #winteriscoming

My reviews

Friday, November 25, 2022

Love on the Border, McKinnie Mail Order Brides by Ciara Knight

Who doesn't love a man who takes in orphans that no one else wants? Eli does but it's a struggle. He sent for a mail order bride and met her while robbing the stagecoach she's on. Love, redemption, forgiveness forming a tight bond. Struggling the whole time. 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.

#LoveOnTheBorder #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #RegencyRomance #CiaraKnight

My Reviews

Wednesday, November 23, 2022

The Call of the Wrens by Jenni L Walsh

Marion's story spanned both WW1 and WW2. Evelyn's story was in WW2. Both served as motorcycle dispatch riders for the British Women’s Royal Naval Service or Wrens. Their stories go deep for each. Marion wants to fit in, Evelyn wants to prove herself. Each is handicapped in their own way. Marion grew up in orphanages, Evelyn was brought up in a wealthy family and sheltered. They each had wonderful men in their lives. It's easy to get attached to these characters and find yourself rooting for them, holding your breath and at the edge of your seat at times for each. I found it interesting that lives of real Wrens had influenced the writing, real life situations during war. The excellent writing kept me engaged to the very end. Inspirational.

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.

#TheCalloftheWrens #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #JenniLWalsh #WW2 #WW1

My reviews

Monday, November 7, 2022

A Bride For Harley by Heidi Gray McGill

Always be yourself.

1867-68. Christian Historical Romance standalone novella with depth. Loretta is 17 and chafes against her sister managing their lives since they became orphans. She also doesn't know that their finances have run out. Her sister contracted a marriage by proxy and wed a man in Montana, a friend of their father's. Leaving everything they had, unwillingly, she begrudges every step as they travel. Then reality steps in. Very well told, you can deeply feel every thought she has. Harley and his family are not what she expected, and she learns more about her sister than she expected. Great story, right to the end. Beautiful Christian messages, lessons. Heartbreaking, heart wrenching as Loretta's becoming herself unfolds, delight in how she grows and who she is.

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

#HeidiGrayMcGill #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #ChristianHistoricalRomance #ABrideForHarley

My reviews

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

My reviews

Sunday, June 27, 2021

To Find Her Place by Susan Anne Mason

Very engrossing story of struggle for these characters. Real enough you'll feel you have to tell someone what just happened as you go along. Men are fighting and those still at home are frowned upon. Women are having to step in to fill positions, but are still not taken seriously. Jane is divorced in 1943 Toronto and acting as the Directress of the Children's Aid Society. She had been a caseworker and is completely committed to the children and making things better. Since her husband left her, and her brother is in the war, she has to support herself and her sick mother. She desperately needs this job to become permanent. Garrett is brought in to audit the business, and Jane, and is planning on submitting his application for the Director position. He also needs the money to help support his parents farm. It's quite a story of difficulties during the war and heartaches, but also has lessons of faith. Circumstances seem to dictate their paths, but we know that God is in control. 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. #ToFindHerPlace #NetGalley

My reviews:

ChristianBook

Friday, June 11, 2021

No Journey Too Far by Carrie Turansky

I absorbed this book, got lost in it. A continuing story of British Home Children who were sent to Canada. This is what happened to Grace who was seven when they came to Canada. She was adopted right away by a wealthy family who tried to hide the fact that Grace was a British Home child and the stigma that went with it. The story jumps to her coming out debut at 17, when she discovered an old trunk in the attic that had an address on it. She remembered her mother and brother and sisters and tried to contact them. They had been searching for her all that time. Her brother returns from war with a story of his own and it unfolds. Well told, with never a dull moment. Christian values while finding their own strength and worth and a murder mystery unfolds. Brilliant!
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.

#NoJourneyTooFar #NetGalley

My reviews: