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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To The Farthest Shores by Elizabeth Camden

Very engaging! Jenny and Ryan meet briefly while he is in the hospital where she is a nurse. They become deeply attached, and Ryan pledges to return to her. But he is called into service on a secret mission in Japan and doesn’t think he will ever return. The note he sends her tears them both apart. But years later he returns, and needs her help to be able to stay. Even after all the pain, they both start to think that they might have a chance again, but someone is trying to kill Ryan. Mystery, intrigue and romance in a Christian Historical theme. Well written, right to the end. Do you like pearls?

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:
Acclaimed and Award-Winning Author's Talent Continues to Win Fans

It has been six years since army nurse Jenny Bennett's heart was broken by a dashing naval officer. Now Lieutenant Ryan Gallagher has abruptly reappeared in her life at the Presidio army base but refuses to discuss the inexplicable behavior that destroyed their happiness.

Ryan is in an impossible situation. One of the few men in the world qualified to carry out a daring assignment, he accepted a government mission overseas that caused his reputation to be destroyed and broke the heart of the only woman he ever loved. Honor bound never to reveal where he had been during those six years, he can't tell Jenny the truth or it will endanger an ongoing mission and put thousands of lives at risk.

Although Ryan thinks he may have finally found a solution, he can't pull it off on his own. Loyalty to her country compels Jenny to help, but she never could have imagined the intrigue she and Ryan will have to face or the lengths to which they will have to go to succeed.



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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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