Secrets of Sloane House (The Chicago World's Fair Mystery Series Book 1) by Shelley Gray

We're all ultimately alone in the world. When we're left alone we learn lessons that we would not have learned otherwise. When we struggle with things life hands us and get through, leaning on God's strength, we come out stronger for it.

It's 1893 Chicago and Rosalinds's sister Miranda has disappeared. She had traveled from their farm in Wisconsin to Chicago to be a maid in an elegant mansion, where she can earn money to send home to her family.  Their father had gone to see the police, but was told they had no information and could not help them.  So they sent their other daughter out to the same house, undercover, to see if she could find out what had happened to her.  A hard worker on the farm, she finds that acting as a maid is much different.  Everyone in the house is reticent to help her, saying she has to learn her own lessons and realize she needs to be helpful but invisible. The Sloane family is quite mean and selfish, except for glimpses of caring. The son of the family is a womanizer and takes advantage of the maids.  I think the instances of Rosalind being downtrodden, unliked and not fitting in is overdone. Being a mystery, clues about Miranda are dropped here and there throughout the story, enhancing the feeling of danger.

Reid is a friend of the Sloane son Douglas. Reid's family is wealthy because of a successful strike of silver, not from old money. So he has been sent to the best schools to learn how to act in high society. At school  for some reason he is rescued by Douglas, and thereafter follows him as an example and is a faithful friend. It's not until Rosalind is a maid at Sloane house that he starts becoming uncomfortable with Douglas' ways and he tries to protect her, later learning why she is there. Because the Sloanes are old society and have built a position of power they can get away with pretty much anything.

The writing is good and the characters are dimensional. For the most part I felt that the atmosphere was much too dark though. There were excellent lessons of faith and God's love interspersed throughout the story, but it felt like they were just dropped in. It wasn't until near the end of the book that you start to feel some light come into the story.

When we step out of our comfort zone we experience personal growth. Rosalind found out that she could do things that she would never have thought otherwise. The lack of Mother's love and caring showed with both characters. There were no loving dialogs from Rosalind's Mother in letters from home.  In Reid's Mother's case, she didn't check in on his younger brother until it was too late and his illness killed him.  I suppose that the feeling of aloneness would not have been so strong without  the family's absence.  The other thing that bothered me was that Rosalind didn't have many clues from Miranda's letters home as to what might have happened to her.  But when she writes home she withholds information and doesn't tell them things - so if she goes missing they would have the same problems.

I find it hard to say that I don't like a book. I read it through and look for the good points. I'm somewhat curious about the other characters in the story and what happens to them in the books to follow, but I wouldn't go out of my way to find them.  Maybe it's me, but this one just didn't hit me right. Even though I am a fan of the underdog, I feel this time it was overdone.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher (Zondervan) through the BookLook Bloggers 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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Safe Haven by Anna Schmidt

I was blessed to read the first book in the Peacemakers series (All God's Children). It takes place in Germany and you get to know the characters living under Hitler's regime.  Although not necessary before reading this book, it does enrich the story by knowing the background of some of the characters; most of us know the depth of suffering that went on there. 

Part of my heritage is German, so I have a particular interest in this book. Adding to that, I grew up just hours away from Oswego, NY where most of this story is set, so I was vested. I'd love to know how my Grandmother and her family felt about all this at the time.  They lived so close to Oswego. Even though they had come over years before the war, I know that there was enough fear at that time that my Grandmother, named Wilhelmena after the Queen of Germany, started being called Mamie instead. 

Anna Schmidt is a gifted story teller. You are quickly taken to 1944 and get to know each character, how they feel and think.  I think this is one of the most difficult times in history to have lived, with so much daily struggle and heartache all throughout the world. But each also had times of joy and hope.

Safe Haven is about refugees from invaded countries during World War 2. Nearly 1000 people are brought into the US by President Roosevelt for shelter and taken to an old Army fort in Oswego. The only caveat - they all sign an agreement that after the war is over they will return to their own country. 

This makes for a great story and Suzanne, a reporter, needs a good story. She needs a break to get her career back after a huge mistake in falling for and trusting her source, a Congressman with his own agenda. Her publisher gives her another shot by recommending that she go to Oswego and get some human interest stories, as a freelance reporter.

Theo's Uncle, Aunt and young cousin are in the group that is sent to the fort. His family, Quakers, all agree that he should go to the fort, reassure their relatives, and do what he can to convince them and the government that they should come to live on the family farm in Wisconsin.

Also in the mix of characters is a POW, living in Oswego surprisingly with more privileges and freedom than the refugees. He was one of the Gestapo in Germany, and lends his own influence to the story.

Each of the characters has their own challenges in living and getting by day by day during this time, let alone for their future.  All need the grace of God for healing, forgiveness, renewal, hope, growth, loving and moving forward. It's wonderfully told - I recommend this book and series to anyone and everyone. Lots of romantic tension.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Barbour Publishing, Inc, Shiloh Run Press - 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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The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen

 

  
Regency romance with murder, mystery and hidden treasure! 


Abigail is the trusted, sensible daughter, Louisa the pretty beguiling one. Members of the privileged, they live in 1817 London. That is until Abigail's recommendation that her father invest in her Uncle's bank - which failed. Knowing that they will have to find another place to live within their reduced means, they receive an invitation from the solicitor on her father's side of the family to come and live at Pembrooke Park - which has been closed up for about 18 years. Since they have found little else that suits them, Abigail and her father go to take a look. They find it will be a grand manor - when cleaned up - and learn that there is also a mystery about the place. Stories of a hidden treasure in a secret, hidden room within the house. Perhaps a chance to rebuild some of their financial loss. As it is their best option, Abigail moves in and prepares the house for her family. It's surely her imagination what sounds like ghosts or someone creeping around at night throughout the nearly empty house.

William is the handsome parson of the Pembrooke Park church. His father, Mac, had served the previous owner of the manor and now is the parish clerk as well as land agent for nearby Hunts Hall. William's sister Leah is beautiful, but elusive. As much as Abigail could use a friend, Leah is polite but somewhat reclusive and keeps her distance. William is drawn to Abigail, but knows he doesn't have a chance with her.

There is so much to learn about Pembrooke manor and the people who lived there before. Their history is entwined with the area - from servants to nobility. Including an old friend of Abigail's whom she thought she would marry but now seems more interested in her sister. There are new neighbors who are a part of London's society and familiar with them all. Add a mysterious Pembrooke cousin who used to live at the manor who shows up just after it has been restored and manages to become their guest. And then there are the unsigned letters sent only to Abigail with brief insights as to what had once happened there.

There are balls, intricate romances, feelings of unworthiness, old secrets and a mysterious hooded stranger roaming about. There's a race to discover the treasure and old wounds uncovered. And lots of danger lurking just about everywhere. This is a long read, and difficult to put down. It's also full of faithful lessons and the truth of where our treasures lie. If you're not already a fan of Julie Klassen, you will be after reading this!

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”.

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The Advent Bride by Mary Connealy

A sweet historical romance, perfect for the holidays.
 
Melanie Douglas has come to be a teacher on the plains of Nebraska. All alone in the world, she was grateful to find this position. But the lady she has to stay with treats her worse than a slave. A woman whom the town listens to because of the money she contributes.

A very unruly boy comes back to school after helping on his father's farm. His mother has died so Melanie tries to be patient, but he is disruptive to the whole class and it just keeps getting worse. So she decides to keep him after school and give his father a piece of her mind.

Turns out Henry O’Keeffe is the new sheriff. He's holding down the job so that he and his son can be in town, plus going out to his ranch each day to keep it going. He's not in the mood to listen to her complain about his son.

Melanie, completely miserable in her attic room and spending her night in prayer, finds a strange box that somehow gives her hope. As she explores it, she thinks of an idea to bring Henry and his son closer together. But it ends up bringing them all a measure of happiness and changes all their lives.

The 12 Brides of Christmas! You're invited to a Christmas wedding...that is twelve of them!  Discover the joy of an old-fashioned Christmas romance with these twelve heart-warming stories. The Advent Bride is one of these.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book from Barbour Publishing, Inc., Shiloh Run Studios 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 Most Inconvenient Marriage by Regina Jennings

Trust in God's plan, not on our own understanding.

Abigail's father died in a riding accident and her mother remarried - to a man who sold off all her father's horses and falsely accused Abigail of stealing his watch, forcing her out of the house and family since her mother sided with him. So she left, looking for a way to support herself and went into nursing.

This book starts out in 1865 at the Yankee Gratiot Street Prison, St Louis, Missouri.  The war is just ending, but she's helping a Confederate soldier  who isn't going to make it.  After much consideration, as he's about to die, Abigail agrees to marry the man to inherit and take care of his Ozark horse farm, his mother and his ailing sister.  She welcomes the chance for a new life and is taken in right away and loved by his mother, but the sister is very ill and very difficult.

With a wound from the war that never healed properly, Jeremiah searches everywhere for his best friend but finally gives up and returns home after the war is over.  Loving Laurel is what got him through it all, and he's looking forward to marrying her as soon as he gets home. But he is greatly surprised to find that a woman is living in his home claiming to be his wife. A woman he's never met!

Life after the war is nearly as difficult as it had been getting through it. There are all kinds of criminals roaming the land looking to prey on people. The fields have been neglected. Most of their horses have been sold or taken.  It's time to rebuild - lives as well as surroundings. This is a lovely story of regeneration and learning to give in to the plan that God has for us all, of  letting go and learning to love and trust others. 

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”.

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