Duty Calls at Goodwill House by Fenella J Miller

 

Excellent story set in England about couples going through the war, each serving in their own way. Goodwill House is a Lords house, where they are going through many changes as well.  The war affects each of them strongly. The girls are friends and or acquaintances at some points in time. Two of the guys are best friends and close to two of the girls who are best friends. Things happen that each of them has to struggle through. These four are also all enlisted. It's a pretty in-depth story of them all, and this is just part of an ongoing tale. Makes you want to read the next one right away.

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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Duty Calls at Goodwill House
July 1940
With Hitler’s bombs getting closer, WAAF Diane Forsyth is determined to face the oncoming danger and do her duty to support the brave RAF pilots who risk their lives as they take to the skies.
And there’s one pilot in particular Di hopes remains safe - Squadron Leader Freddie Hanover. But with a romance between them growing, Di and Freddie know their duty must always come first. How can they dream of a future together whilst this terrible war continues?
Lady Joanna Harcourt understands Di’s vow of duty – she’s taken one herself. But Joanna also knows that life is terribly precious and that one must make the most of every single day…before it’s too late.
Purchase Link – https://amzn.to/3tn4aXa or https://books2read.com/u/4X6Ye9

Author Bio –
Fenella J. Miller is the bestselling writer of over eighteen historical sagas. She also has a passion for Regency romantic adventures and has published over fifty to great acclaim. Her father was a Yorkshireman and her mother the daughter of a Rajah. She lives in a small village in Essex with her British Shorthair cat.
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The Promise of Dawn by Lauraine Snelling

A new series linked with the fabulous Red River Valley novels. I have read a lot of books. I recall a movie, although not the title, where characters come alive and then freeze where they are when the reader stops reading.  Most books are like this, quietly waiting to be picked up again, but Lauraine Snelling’s characters seem to continue to live after the book is put down – and I eagerly look forward to peering through the looking glass again to see what they’ve been up to.

Ingeborg’s cousin is still in Norway and has long waited to see her again. Her sister Gird is married and has gone to America, earning land and building a homestead. They need help, sending for her oldest son Rune and his family to join them. Ready and willing to work hard to repay them yet also earn some land and a home for themselves in this land of opportunity, they sail over – but nothing is easy anywhere along the way.  They enter a loveless home and Uncle Einar and Aunt Gird expect way too much from them, with little thanks, but Rune and Signe – and their children - have strong values and deliver 110%. Clearing the large trees is a dangerous job and when overworked it becomes more so. Because Uncle Einar is so single minded about getting the trees cleared, Aunt Gird is very ill and the household has gone severely downhill. Plus, for some reason the community does not welcome Rune and his family. Standing firm on strength and kindness, their faith grows stronger through the difficulties and threads its way to the others who surround them.

I wish I could give Lauraine’s books 10 stars – I can’t recommend them highly enough. They are get-lost-in-and-fully-enjoy stories where you can clearly picture the characters and settings. As always, I eagerly look forward to the next book in the series! I really like the references to Ingeborg as I know she is living a full life not far from Signe and Rune in her piece of America.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Bethany House Publishers - 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.”

From the Publisher:
Beloved Author Lauraine Snelling Launches New Immigrant Series
When Signe, her husband, Rune, and their three boys arrive in Minnesota from Norway to help a relative clear his land of lumber, they dream of owning their own farm and building a life in the New World. But Uncle Einar and Aunt Gird are hard, demanding people, and Signe and her family soon find themselves worked nearly to the bone in order to repay the cost of their voyage. At this rate, they will never have land or a life of their own.

Signe tries to trust God but struggles with anger and bitterness. She has left behind the only life she knew, and while it wasn't an easy life, it wasn't as hard as what she now faces. When a new addition to the family arrives, Signe begins to see how God has been watching over them throughout their ordeal. But after all that has happened, can she still believe in the promise of a bright future?

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The Message in a Bottle Romance Collection

Hope Reaches Across the Centuries Through One Single Bottle, Inspiring Five Romances by Joanne Bischof; Amanda Dykes; Heather Day Gilbert; Jocelyn Green; Maureen Lang 

Oh my gosh I loved this book! I gave it 10 stars. I read a LOT and I put this on my top 10 list of keepers.

It opens in Ancient Ireland with a Monk under attack - trying to save manuscripts, putting a message in a bottle.  Beginning in Ireland is a great way in itself to hook me - then each tale is so very well written. They all have a strong Christian message and although they share the same bottle with a message (added to along the way), each is unique with a journey of its own. I would love to read a continuing story of each one. There is a big gap between the timelines and we don’t know how the bottle got from person to person. It’s not a short read so you’re given lots to get lost in. This was one that I did not want to end!

From the Publisher:
Join the journey as one word etched in Latin on an ancient bronze bottle travels through the centuries to reach five young women who are struggling to maintain their faith in God and love. An Irish princess, a Scottish story weaver, a Post-Colonial nurse, a cotton mill worker, and a maid who nearly drowned each receive a message from the bottle just when they need their hope restored. But will the bottle also bring them each to a man whose love will endure?

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Barbour Publishing - 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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Fire and Ice by Mary Connealy

Another in the series by Mary Connealy about these strong sisters, who seem to go up against equally strong male characters. Always interesting, with some twists that you may not expect. Bailey had fought in the war (yes disguised as a boy) and came out hardened. All three sisters tried hard to please their father, who seemed to wish they were sons, and expected them to do all to honor the memory of their dead brother. Excellent read!!  Christian Historical Romance set in the old west.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Bethany House Publishers - 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”. http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html

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On This Foundation by Lynn Austin

I knew the story of Nehemiah from the bible, where he worked for the King of Persia, who noticed that Nehemiah was unhappy and he asked why. When Nehemiah told him he was upset about the destruction of the walls around Jerusalem, his home town, leaving it defenseless - the King gives him permission to go home and rebuild the walls - providing a guard and materials, and making him the governor.  What I didn't know was the background on Nehemiah and his brothers that led him to work for the King.

There are other character's lives within the story as well. Can you imagine being put into slavery for 6 years because your family is about to lose their home and land? There was a drought, and people were forced to pay taxes and mortgage their property even though they were starving.  For many the only thing they could do was go into bondage to pay their debt - which happens to a young girl.

And then of course Nehemiah is not popular with everyone, and there are plots to remove him. There is another young girl whose family wants her to marry into a political family entrenched in this part of the intrigue. The story is beautifully woven, with fabulous messages of God's faithfulness.  This is a book I highly recommend - especially if you think you already know the story!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Baker Publishing Group, Bethany - 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.” http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html.

From the book:
The Powerful Concluding Novel
to The Restoration Chronicles

When news that the wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire, Nehemiah, Jewish cupbearer to King Artaxerxes in Persia, seeks God's guidance. After fasting and prayer, he's given leave to travel to Jerusalem and rebuild the city wall, not anticipating all the dangers that await him on his arrival.

The leaders of the surrounding nations become his fierce enemies, plotting to assassinate him and halt the work. A drought, meanwhile, has left the country impoverished, many families resorting to selling their children as bondservants just to keep from starving.

Capturing the rebuilding of the wall through the eyes of a number of characters, On This Foundation is a powerful exploration of faith in the midst of oppression, and hope that, in spite of appearances, the gracious hand of God is upon those who believe.

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