Steadfast Heart by Tracie Peterson

This is the first book in a new series, I already can't wait for the next one! In this multifaceted story, you quickly get to know and become attached to the characters. It's 1888 in Seattle, Washington at Miss Madison's school for brides. Lenore comes from a wealthy family, and her father's offices are in the same building as the school. Her father feels that it is time his daughter wed, so he's scouting for a husband for her.  Abrianna, Miss Madison's niece, doesn't do well learning the basic skills or social graces. Her interests lie in helping the poor and indigent; a calling from God.  Each of the girls counsel the other - Lenore helps Abrianna in social skills and Abrianna helps Lenore in spiritual study.

Kolbein comes to town looking for his sister, whom he has  tracked to Seattle. He comes to the school to look for her and when she's not to be found there enlists their help. Wade has been working at and coming to the school for many years and is a lifelong friend to Abrianna.

Priam wants to buy the property where the school is to expand his business, but the ladies don't wish to sell for many personal reasons. Then people are being killed and left outside their doors. Is there a connection?

Excellent read! Another book that you aren't ready for it to end.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from 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”.

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Remember the Lies by Liz Toslma

Very well written. Maybe too well written.  Although very well told, it's a story that I cannot like.

It takes place on Manila, Philippines starting in 1941 with Pearl Harbor, just before and then during the Japanese invasion. In the Internment Camp people were treated so horribly, and the author captures that. The characters are very real and you can feel their struggle.  There are people of strong faith that influence and ultimately extend their faith to our main characters.

For Rand, it's a riches to rags tale.  He's the charismatic owner of two popular casinos, raised in wealth.  Not without some values, he yet walks the line. He has ideas for expansion into Singapore, Hong Kong and Saigon with visions of fame, proud that he would earn it on his own after his father's initial investment. You can feel his deflation as he loses it all. His father's older servant Armando is left behind but is ailing, his son reaching out to Rand for help in letters. Rand's only option is to escape, but it was tried before and failed with fatal results.

Irene works in the censor's office and is the one to remove some key words from the letter sent to Rand about escape. She did her job and retyped the letter with the words left out, but later she feels compelled to tell him the rest of the words, as he may be trying to escape. Thus begins their relationship as she finds him, but it's too late.

This is an excellent book for faith and testimony!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Thomas Nelson - 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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Deepest Roots of the Heart by Chautona Havig

I hate to judge a book by it's cover, but I put off reading this one because of it. The description sounded good, but the cover made it look boring. Not so at all - it's an excellent read! This is a historical romance within a historical romance.  Very well written, you form a bond with each of the characters. You can feel the depth of family honor, tradition and history of Avelino Carrillo. He returns from fighting WW2 in the Philippines with the intention of getting back his home and vineyard that has been in the family for generations.  It was nearly lost by his brother and signed over to a landshark, but Avelino is able to make a deal with him to earn it back by working in the vineyards for no salary for seven years. A deal that may not be what it seems.

The property has been rented out by the landshark. Thinking to rub it in, he sends Avelino to live in the garage apartment instead of the house. But Avelino is able to make a connection with the renters, Amelia and her Grandfather, who have a great respect for the Carillos and have started to restore the vines and vineyard.

Avelino is a talented storyteller,and little by little tells the story of the first Avelino who fought in the Mexican-American war and made his way from Texas to found the Ranchero. And he tells the story of his Great-Great Grandmother, whom Amelia resembles.  Amelia becomes entranced with the history and with Avelino. Between the stories and the struggles with day to day life, love begins to take root and entwine itself around them. But prejudice seems to surround Avelino wherever he goes, and he does not want to expose her to that.  Also his family is traditionally Catholic, hers is Baptist.  There is strength and honor in both families. Things are not always what they seem and a great deal is revealed about the townspeople. This is book one in a new series. I can't wait to read the next!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Waterfall 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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Brentwood's Ward by Michelle Griep

1807 England. Enter hero Nicholas Brentwood and damsel Emily Payne. Reminiscent of the Thin Man stories, complete with steamy scenes and a dog. Add in the solid faith of our hero, and you have an excellent tale.

Nicholas has a sister who is dying. He needs the money from this job to pay for medical expenses and a better place to live. He's a Bow Street Runner, not that he'd call himself that. It doesn't pay the bills though, so taking on detective jobs is a must. The Judge really has a good one for him this time, one that no one else would take. But the large fee is one he can't afford to turn down.

Emily is the daughter of a very wealthy man. Her one goal for this season is getting herself a husband. Immature and careless of her staff, shopping fills her time as she looks for the perfect trappings. After disobeying her father, she slips back home only to find him gone and a guardian in his place. A very shrewd one at that, one whom she can't slip. Question was, why does she need a guardian, let alone a Runner?

Each of them face death and danger, as someone is out to make Emily pay for her father's business dealings. She has no one to turn to, including her so called friends in high society.  Nicholas's faith is brought to front time and again, and is Emily's saving. They both learn that God is in control, and to place their faith in Him to bring them through. Excellent read! A bit tedious at first, then a page burner.

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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Destiny by Don Brown

Excellent book! This is one of those stories you read that would really make a great movie. One that guys and women both love. It's historical fiction set during WW2, with a message of salvation. There's romance throughout the book, but it's not the frilly kind - it's the real kind. Secrets kept, secrets revealed.


And there's an interesting twist to this one. This is told from more than one perspective. It follows the lives of men from different geographical areas and views of the war - an Englishman, a German and American brothers, how they are pulled into fighting the war and what became of them. Their families are included in the stories; how they cope with the circumstances and all that they face. It goes to England, Scotland, Africa, France, Japan, Germany and America. It also tells of the British invasion in France before Normandy, which I didn't know about. They're all entwined - each has an influence on the other men and their entire families. This was a page turner for me - I had a hard time putting it down.  A strong message of faith and redemption follows through, full circle.

Aptly put from the promo for the book: This much-anticipated prequel to Don Brown's acclaimed Navy Justice series is packed with the ravages of love and war, romance and family, and ultimately the power of faith.

I received this book from Mountainview Books LLC and BookFun in return for my honest opinion.
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