The Sisters of Sea View by Julie Klassen

 

1819 Sidmouth England. When their father dies, his estate goes back to an heir. Their Mother and four sisters own the house at Sea View but have little to live on. Their former lady's maid helps them to consider taking in borders to help keep them going. This is the start of a fabulous series with shadows of Jane Austen. It's easy to settle in and feel involved in their lives. The struggle of starting this business after being a Gentleman's family, lost loves, new interests, new people and their lives, social norms and their reduced state add flavor to the story. Originally, they had come there because their mother was in need of the healing of the sea. One sister was born with a cleft palate has had several surgeries, left more scarred inside than she is outside now. Interesting things to learn about the area, healing baths and cleft palates. Beautifully written, keeps you enthralled to the end and looking forward to the next in the series. 

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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The Librarian's Journey by Patty Smith Hall; Cynthia Hickey; Marilyn Turk; Kathleen Y'Barbo

 

Excellent romance collection about saddlebag librarians. Very diverse stories even though they share a common profession. These were new jobs that opened up in a time when jobs and money were scarce. Many men had to leave home to search for jobs. People who lived in the mountains didn't have access to a library, some didn't have schools. These librarians brought books to them, often in perilous conditions. Many of the people were reclusive and untrusting, at least at first. The books gave them many benefits, including education. Entertaining read, nothing boring here! Christian historical. 

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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The German Heiress by Anika Scott

Wow, what a deep story. Set after the war is over and the British are cleaning up, finding war criminals. Clara is from a family who owned an iron works factory. She ran it during the war when her Father was away. The German army forced them to keep it open and running. She did what she could for the poor Ukraine and other forced labor that was brought in. Even through her wealthy life there was another personal story, some of which she uncovers as this story unfolds, including her best friend. You feel the depth of struggle for life throughout and it's hard to put down. Very well written.

 

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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Safe Refuge By Pamela S. Meyers

Christian Historical Romance set in 1871 when the Chicago fires destroyed the homes and businesses of wealthy and poor alike. Anna is from a wealthy family, set to marry an abusive man by her family's arranged marriage. The fire provides a delay she welcomes as they flee their burning, prestigious home to safety in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.  She had assisted at a mission school in Chicago and was pleased to find a similar school in Lake Geneva. She hoped that a special little girl at the school was still alive, as so many had died in the fire. Anna was even more happy that this girl's Uncle Rory, who had been a janitor at the school in Chicago, had survived as well and that he came to make his way in Irish Woods near the lake. The story takes a rough turn as Anna and Rory pray for a way that they can be together. Her wealthy family has financial issues that would be solved by the arranged marriage, so the pressure is on. As they pray and wait on God's will for them, their lives take a surprising roller coaster ride. Fabulous read!

Disclosure of Material Connection: 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. 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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No Ocean Too Wide A Novel by Carrie Turansky

It's hard not to read ahead. 1909 England. Excruciating story of a poor family from London. The father had died and the mother got sick. The oldest girl was in service some distance away. When the rent wasn't paid on time and they didn't have enough to eat, the boy tried to steal some bread to feed them and was caught, starting an avalanche of problems. The three were put into a children's home, then sent to Canada, thinking their mother had died and their older sister didn't care. The story is written with great detail and each character comes fully to life. 

Great injustice and bright light shown on the holes in the system of removing children from England. Between the 1860s and the 1930s, more than one hundred eighteen thousand poor and orphaned children were sent to Canada as British Home Children. Much good was done when good people were involved, but so much cruelty took place for many unfortunate children, and no good system was in place to put it in check. This story also tells of two good men who were sent to investigate the system, and how they became involved. And the relationship of Laura, the oldest daughter and Andrew a wealthy lawyer who helped them all. Excellent read that will keep you on edge throughout. If not for the underlying story of God's grace and love, it would be so much harder yet to read. You feel a relationship with each of the characters as their story is brought to light.

"If she found Jesus in the pages of that Bible, she would have a friend who would never leave her side . . . and that was what she needed most for the journey ahead."

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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A Reluctant Bride by Jody Hedlund

Deeply satisfying. This girl knows how to write a story, and how to end it, with a promise for more, and you can't wait. Based on historical facts. Mercy was from the poorest of the poor, living in the slums of London. But she had been raised with love and caring, mostly by her sister - who was in a Workhouse and near to death. She made Mercy promise to go on a ship to British Columbia for a new start. A ray of hope for the hopeless. Reluctantly, Mercy went, not realizing that it was a Bride Ship. She accepted the role that she had lived as due her station, felt she was the bottom of the bottom of society. She reached out to help all around her in any way that she could, primarily nursing the sick. She became deeply attached to each in her care, showing kindness and love. Joseph is a member of Society, but chose to be a ship's surgeon. He learns a lot about himself and how he and his peers treat the poor. Mercy proves to be a perfect nurse, and they spend time together as they travel. Each learns they have prejudices, and work through the assumptions of those who surround them on the ship. The author must have done a lot of research to know what it was like to live in a ship at that time, because you can easily picture everything. A story where you become attached to the characters - need a two five-star rating to give it justice. Eagerly awaiting the next in the series!

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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A Season Of Grace by Lauraine Snelling

A good title! and love that cover. It was again so good to return to this family from Norway. Good to settle into the stories of the blessings in their lives mixed with hard work and coping with hardships, ups and downs, shared by all in this close family. They really make me hungry though, reading of the wonderful things they make to eat! The family lives on a farm, but Nilda is offered a position as an assistant to a very wealthy woman. Working for her is nothing like she left in Norway, as she is a kind and thoughtful person who loves to take care of people. Nilda is getting closer to two young men, but it remains to be seen if she will choose either of them. She is still pursued by the horrible young man who tried to abuse her in Norway, making for many tense times. Working through this with the support of her family and new friends is a learning experience for her - a stretching of her wings yet learning to rely on God and others for support. As always a fabulous read that you won't want to 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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