The Silent Songbird by Melanie Dickerson

Evangeline is a Ward of the King. She was raised in the castle and feels close to the king. It’s unbelievable to her that he decides to betroth her to his advisor, who has shown his evil side to her. She cannot get the king to change his mind, so she hides away with a merchant group who was traveling back to their home – pretending to be a mute servant. Even though she is pursued, she is protected by Westley and treated well despite her shortcomings.

She is ultimately found out, but also uncovers subterfuge where she is and against King Richard. Not only is she in danger, but Westley as well. As is their relationship when he learns that she has been lying to him and his family all along.

Quick and easy read. Christian Historical Fiction.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Thomas Nelson--FICTION - 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 Publisher:
Evangeline longs to be free, to live in the world outside the castle walls. But freedom comes at a cost.
Evangeline is the ward and cousin of King Richard II, and yet she dreams of a life outside of Berkhamsted Castle, where she might be free to marry for love and not politics. But the young king betroths her to his closest advisor, Lord Shiveley, a man twice as old as Evangeline. Desperate to escape a life married to a man she finds revolting, Evangeline runs away from the king and joins a small band of servants on their way back to their home village.

To keep her identity a secret, Evangeline pretends to be mute. Evangeline soon regrets the charade as she gets to know Wesley, the handsome young leader of the servants, whom she later discovers is the son of a wealthy lord. But she cannot reveal her true identity for fear she will be forced to return to King Richard and her arranged marriage.

Wesley le Wyse is intrigued by the beautiful new servant girl. When he learns that she lost her voice from a beating by a cruel former master, he is outraged. But his anger is soon redirected when he learns she has been lying to him. Not only is she not mute, but she isn't even a servant.

Weighed down by remorse for deceiving Wesley, Evangeline fears no one will ever love her. But her future is not the only thing at stake, as she finds herself embroiled in a tangled web that threatens England's monarchy. Should she give herself up to save the only person who cares about her? If she does, who will save the king from a plot to steal his throne?

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From This Day Forward by Lauraine Snelling

Just like coming home. A place to belong, a place to wrap around you. There’s something to be said about a series and writer that makes you want to keep coming back to see what’s going on with the town and characters in the books. And it’s written so that you can clearly picture yourself there right away. You feel as though you live there and know each and every person. Ingeborg is like your own relative. This, as the others in the series, is written in a part of time and way of life that is similar to how I grew up. We’re all so different, and yet the same.

It’s great that Ingeborg is still a pillar of the Red River Valley community and going strong hunting, fishing and driving farm machinery.

This is a romance centered around Deborah, an Assistant at the hospital, and Toby Valders. They have a history in the series, and are now grown and ready for their own romance.  She has an opportunity to leave and study to further her position at the hospital. Will it do Toby good to have her go away for awhile? She’s loved him for a long time, but he takes her for granted. Maybe it will shake him up a little bit. Or perhaps she should just move on. Always prayerfully centered, another story of life’s normalcies and life’s struggles.

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”.

Revisit Old Friends in Blessing in This Heartwarming Series Conclusion

Deborah MacCallister, head nurse at the Blessing hospital, has loved Toby Valders since her school days, but she's had enough of their on-again, off-again relationship. Toby truly cares for Deborah, but he's never felt like he could commit to marriage or a family.

When Anton Genddarm, the new schoolteacher, comes to town, the young women of Blessing see a chance to force Toby's hand with a little strategic matchmaking. But real sparks fly between Deborah and Anton, and she finds herself in an even more complicated situation. The attention she gets from Anton makes Toby do some serious soul-searching, but is it too late?

Then Deborah receives an invitation to study the latest advances in nursing at a hospital in Chicago, and she faces a hard choice. To leave or stay? Should she give up on the dream of Toby and accept the interest of Anton?

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For The Record by Regina Jennings

Great entertainment! When I was reading it I didn't realize this was part of a series. It is fine as a stand alone. Betsy is a strong, independent woman with talent who is struggling. She has great love for her family, but is an old maid by many standards and still lives with them. Her hope is to earn enough money to support herself.

Joel is the new Deputy in town, trying to fit in and earn respect. He’s a strong advocate of the law, and has a tough time with the locals who are trying to punish wrong-doers on their own. He’s got a past that he’d just as soon not have revealed to everyone, but Betsy’s good intentions can get him into trouble.

Very well written and engaging. You’ll enjoy getting into the heads of these characters. Great Christian message throughout. Love that cover!

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.

From the Publisher:
Jennings Offers Another Delightful Blend of History and Romance

Betsy Huckabee might be a small-town girl, but she has big-city dreams. Writing for her uncle's newspaper will never lead to independence, and the bigger newspapers don't seem interested in the Hart County news. Trying a new approach, Betsy pens a romanticized serial for the ladies' pages, and the new deputy provides the perfect inspiration for her submissions. She'd be horrified if he read her breathless descriptions of him, but these articles are for a newspaper far away. No one in Pine Gap will ever know.

Deputy Joel Puckett didn't want to leave Texas, but this job in tiny Pine Gap is his only shot at keeping his badge. With masked marauders riding every night, his skills and patience are tested, but even more challenging is the sassy journalist lady chasing him.

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The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill by Julie Klassen

The first book in a new series, setting up the stories to follow.  You’ll enjoy getting to know the characters and want to read more to see how their lives and their community progress, somewhat reminiscent of the Mitford series.

The Bell Inn was left to Jane by her husband, who had died suddenly. Jane came from an aristocratic background with few skills to run an Inn. While married, her husband did not encourage her to participate in anything to do with the Inn. His mother and brother were his partners. Theora, his mother, grew up in the family that had run the Inn for years and it was part of her. When her son left the Inn to his wife, she decided to go to her sister’s house to stay, but that didn’t go as expected so she returned to the Inn she knew and loved. On return she discovered that the Inn had fallen into disrepair and was losing business. Add to that a local banker suddenly claiming there was a huge loan on the Inn – an amount that was practically impossible to repay – which would be a benefit to Patrick (the brother) who wanted to take the Inn over and turn it into something else.

The man who delivered the news to Jane of her husband’s death offered to stay on and work for the Inn and became a valuable asset. As the story progresses Jane has some leads to follow concerning her husband’s whereabouts when he was killed – or possibly murdered.

A rival Inn owner purchases Jane’s old home to turn it into competition as an Inn, but he also offers several suggestions to Jane about improving The Bell. The whole town enters into a competition between the two Inns for the right to have the Royal Mail delivery.

Love interest, deceit, intrigue and mystery. A great book on its own, but I can’t wait for the second book in the series to see what happens next!

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”.


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Where Treasure Hides by Johnnie Alexander Donley

 

I was hooked in the first chapter. Set in the early 1940s before and during Hitler’s reign of terror, this is a totally engulfing story. It starts out with a pampered wealthy family’s daughter traveling through England for their art gallery. She sees a soldier defending a Jewish boy about to board an orphan train, when his violin (his only possession) is being taken away from him. The soldier suggests that if the violin belongs to him, then he will be able to play it. The boy plays beautifully, and the soldier stands by until he knows the boy is safely on the train with the violin. It brings Alison and Ian together, and it’s ‘love at first sight’. Only she holds back because of her family’s ‘curse’.

This is a story of the excruciating ups and downs during war time of pain, love and sacrifice. It’s impossible to put down! I do so hope that there will be a second book that will continue the story.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Tyndale 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:
Artist Alison Schuyler spends her time working in her family’s renowned art gallery, determined to avoid the curse that has followed the Schuyler clan from the Netherlands to America and back again. She’s certain that true love will only lead to tragedy—that is, until a chance meeting at Waterloo station brings Ian Devlin into her life. Drawn to the bold and compassionate British Army captain, Alison begins to question her fear of love as World War II breaks out, separating the two and drawing each into their own battles. While Ian fights for freedom on the battlefield, Alison works with the Dutch Underground to find a safe haven for Jewish children and priceless pieces of art alike. But safety is a luxury war does not allow. As time, war, and human will struggle to keep them apart, will Alison and Ian have the faith to fight for their love, or is it their fate to be separated forever?

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