Love's Fortune by Laura Frantz

This is one of those books you don't want to end. Not that you don't want to know how everyone's lives will turn out, but they're such good company you don't want them to leave.  Honestly, this is a book that you wrap around and snuggle into.  It's a continuing story of the Ballantynes, a talented family from humble roots that works hard and smart, and becomes very successful.  They are all beautiful, vulnerable in some way, have strong Christian faith and love deeply.  And there is always someone in the community who is trying to take them down.

In this book Wren and her father are living in rural Kentucky; her mother has died.  Her father's family, the Ballantynes, call him back home, believing that the danger that sent them away is over.  They have been a talented musical family, making and playing unique violins and other stringed instruments. They go back to the Ballantyne family businesses and high society in Pittsburgh PA - a drastically different environment than Wren is used to. But she has loving (and unloving) family all around her even though her father is almost immediately sent away on business.

James is a steamship pilot for the Ballantynes, and has been raised as part of the family after being rescued from an orphan home. He is the utmost gentleman, trusted by her father and acts as Wren's escort  for her debutant season.

Their story is filled with the trials of high society in the mid 1800's and what is expected of them, as well as the dangers of being abolitionists secretly helping the underground railroad.  Mix in several types of personalities of those with wealth and plenty, adding pride of workmanship, family legacy and the choices they make. This and the others in the series are some that you will remember for a long time - the kind of book that you keep.

I received this book from Revell publishers, https://www.netgalley.com/ and http://www.bookfun.org in return for my honest review.

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Bookfun Magazine

Sixty Acres and a Bride - free e-book today

 

For your Kindle reader. By Regina Jennings (Category Christian Romance and Fiction)

Book description:
Sensational debut Historical Romance finds love on the Texas Range.

With nothing to their names, young widow Rosa Garner and her mother-in-law return to Texas and the family ranch. Only now the county is demanding back taxes and the women have only three months to pay.

Though facing eviction, Rosa can't keep herself from falling in love with the countryside and the wonderful extended family who want only her best. Learning the American customs is not easy, however, and this beautiful young widow can't help but catch wandering eyes. Where some offer help with dangerous strings attached, only one man seems honorable. But when Weston Garner, still grieving his own lost love, is unprepared to give his heart, to what lengths will Rosa go to save her future?

E-book specials from Bethany House

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Buttermilk Sky by Jan Watson

Five stars! Enter 1913 rural Kentucky and the lives of several poignant characters. Mazy lives in the mountains but, hopeful for a bright and exciting future, leaves there to go to Lexington and a school to become a secretary. Chanis is the sheriff in her hometown, and fell in love with her sometime back. He's even bought a house and is fixing it up for her as a surprise - right down to the lilac wallpaper that he tries to hang himself. Both from poor but loving families, have a strong Christian faith that is the foundation of their lives and continues to grow as they find their way. Each reach out to people around them, enrich their lives and are in turn helped by others as God works through them all.

Loyal, from a wealthy family, sees Mazy as the solution he and his mother have been searching for. As Mazy goes through trials and becomes swept up by both mother and son, she sees unfolding a life she would love to belong to. But is it really all that it seems?

You get to know and love all of the characters in this book. Luckily there are other books that go with this one so you don't have to leave them all behind. The story pulls at your heart for the rough times that people go through during this time, making do with what they have while trying to build a better way. Tough as it is, everyone has something to give. Their lives are enriched as much by giving as well as letting others help them. Humble gifts of themselves yet more than money could buy. And learning where your true priorities lie.

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Full Steam Ahead by Karen Witemeyer

What a delightful book! This is the first I've read from Ms. Witemeyer. It's good to get to know another fabulous writer of Historical Christian Romance. I'm a fan!
I was caught up right from the beginning of the book. Learning about Darius and the fatal steamboat accident of 1849 quickly brings you deeply into the story. It was then a pleasure to get to know Nicole and her family. Brought together from entirely different agendas and both from highly successful shipping families, they had a lot in common, but it took quite some time for them to discover that about each other.  The author brings each and every character to life perfectly. The lessons and Christian values throughout the book wonderfully support the story. This is an incredibly interesting tale of some depth as well as a very satisfying romance.  And it's full of heart stopping danger. I read this book in 24 hours - I didn't want to put it down!  Now I'm hoping there will be a second book, and I'll be first in line to read it.
I received this book from Heidi Reads blog.

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The Patmos Deception by Davis Bunn

 Book description from the Baker Publishing Group
An Ancient Island Holds an Ancient Secret . . .Nick Hennessy, a young Texas journalist yearning for his big break, finds himself in Europe--his assignment, to investigate the alarming disappearance of invaluable Grecian antiquities. Nick has the credentials--and cover ID--to unearth the truth. And he knows just the researcher to help him...
Carey Mathers, fresh from her studies in forensic archeology, has accepted a job with the prestigious Athens Institute for Antiquities--a dream come true, really, particularly when the Greek isle of Patmos, where the Apostle John received his vision of the Apocalypse, was a particular focus of her research.
Dimitri Rubinos, for whom the Greek islands represent his life, holds on by his fingernails to the family charter boat business. But his country's economic chaos isn't the only thing that has turned his world on its head...

My review: 
A Christian Fiction Novel by Davis Bunn, full of mystery, danger and romance, the outcomes of which are molded  by Christian faith and values. Informative and in-depth, the story is set in Greece after the crash and tells of historical religious treasures that smugglers are after.  Carey is a forensic archeological specialist, Nick is an investigative journalist, and Dimitri is the owner of a family boat used for fishing and now tourism.  Young people with special talents, pulled into a crisis that hones their skills, faith and trust in others. As in other Davis Bunn novels, you learn about the country and its history, and meet characters with much to teach.  You come to know each of these individuals, their families and their lives, and end up feeling that you are a part of that special group.  A skilled story teller, Davis Bunn has another hit!

I received an advanced copy from Netgalley and Bethany House in return for my honest review.

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