The Ladies of Ivy Cottage by Julie Klassen

Reminiscent of Jayne Eyre, Christian Historical fiction that you won’t want to end. Would make an excellent PBS movie with similarities to other English series. It’s great to be back to Ivy Hill, although I believe that you would enjoy the book without reading the previous books. The story involves more than one lady and their lives. They are ladies who were part of Society but for various reasons are no longer able to live that life and had to earn the means to support themselves. Many of us can identify with having a difficult path to walk, perhaps one that we did not expect, but with God’s Grace we find that He has provided for us and it’s not a bad life after all, in fact it was meant for us.

Rachel is able to stay with her friend Mercy in her family’s home after her parents move away. The ever helpful Ladies Tea and Knitting Society in Ivy Hill is a great help to the girls. They are business women as well and understand the struggles involved with having to support one’s self. Following their advice, Mercy is able to let Rachel start a circulating library in a couple of the rooms, which gives Rachel a way to support herself. But Mercy doesn’t realize that her mother has other plans for her. Rachel had thought she was going to marry Sir Timothy, but when her father ran into financial ruin, his family would no longer allow an affiliation with her. Since they are still living in the same area he does see and talk with her, and helps her in ways that he can. A donation of some books to her library opens up a whole new area for them, and ends up uncovering a secret they never would have dreamed of.

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
New from the Top Author of Inspirational Regency Romance

Return to Ivy Hill in The Ladies of Ivy Cottage as friendships deepen, romances blossom, and mysteries unfold.

Living with the two Miss Groves in Ivy Cottage, impoverished gentlewoman Rachel Ashford is determined to earn her own livelihood . . . somehow. When the village women encourage her to open a subscription library with the many books she has inherited or acquired through donations, Rachel discovers two mysteries hidden among them. A man who once broke her heart helps her search for clues, but will both find more than they bargained for?

Rachel's friend and hostess, Mercy Grove, has given up thoughts of suitors and fills her days managing her girls' school. So when several men take an interest in Ivy Cottage, she assumes pretty Miss Ashford is the cause. Exactly what--or who--has captured each man's attention? The truth may surprise them all.

Meanwhile, life has improved at the coaching inn and Jane Bell is ready to put grief behind her. Now if only the man she misses would return--but where is he?

As the women of Ivy Hill search for answers about the past and hope for the future, might they find love along the way?

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Out of the Ordinary by Jen Turano

Pure pleasure!

Never less than a five-star review. Jen Turano’s books will DEFINITELY cheer you up. In some places you will positively be rolling on the floor with laughter. This is no different. Although the story is full of madcap comic scenes, there’s a great deal of depth to the characters – so it’s not all fluff. It’s nice if you read the previous books in the series, but not necessary to the story. Christian Historical Romance that you will love, love, love.  Be careful who you invite to your party! Gertrude is a personal companion to Mrs. Davenport who has a little problem with “lifting” pretty things from other society guests when she attends gatherings. And she’s very crafty at hiding it. And herself. Part of Gertrude’s job is to return said items afterwards, but this is the last time she’ll do it – and the first time she is caught. Luckily Harrison has sisters who have taught him how to act . . . and they had some romance novels that he read. But they may not have had the best advice – especially to just literally follow and try to apply. One thing you can guarantee, never a dull moment!

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.

Description from the Publisher:
Rollicking New Release from Humorous Historical Romance Author Jen Turano

Miss Gertrude Cadwalader hoped her position as the paid companion to Mrs. Davenport would be easy. But as she becomes acquainted with her employer, she realizes the wealthy Mrs. Davenport has a strange tendency to be a bit light-fingered with other people's trinkets. Gertrude is relieved when Mrs. Davenport decides to have a quiet summer away from the social scene--until the woman changes her mind in order to help a young socialite launch into society.

When Gertrude is caught in the act of trying to return one of the trinkets by Mrs. Sinclair, the mother of shipping magnate Harrison Sinclair, the woman jumps to an unfortunate conclusion. Harrison is determined to mend fences with Miss Cadwalader, but he's unprepared for the escapades a friendship with her will entail.


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A Dangerous Legacy by Elizabeth Camden

How long can you hold your breath?

This is one that I didn’t want to end, even though it had some really tense chapters. Fabulous Christian historical mystery with touching, endearing characters. Lucy Drake is a telegrapher with the AP whose Grandfather was an inventor.  He allowed his brother to market and sell one of his inventions while he was away at war, but when he came back he found that he didn’t have a share in the money or company. Lucy’s family has been involved in a lawsuit to regain their share in the company. Even though she and her brother have been threatened for years, they have no idea the lengths that their Uncle and cousin are willing to go to.  They meet Sir Colin Beckwith, who works for Reuters, and they would never guess the value his connection will be to them. You won’t want to put this down as Lucy dives further and further into the legal fight, and eventually a fight for her life and that of a high-ranking political figure as well. Lots of depth to this story! Very interesting characters and background that will keep you involved right to the end.

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:

Page-Turning Romance and Intrigue in Award-Winning Author's Next Historical Novel

Lucy Drake's mastery of Morse code has made her a valuable asset to the American news agencies as a telegrapher. But the sudden arrival of Sir Colin Beckwith at rival British news agency Reuters puts her hard-earned livelihood at risk. Newly arrived from London, Colin is talented, handsome, and insufferably charming.

Despite their rivalry, Lucy realizes Colin's connections could be just what her family needs to turn the tide of their long legal battle over the fortune they were swindled out of forty years ago. When she negotiates an unlikely alliance with him, neither of them realizes how far the web of treachery they're wading into will take them.

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My Heart Belongs in Castle Gate, Utah (Leanna's Choice) by Angie Dicken

Choices, choices, choices.
Very realistic and down to earth. Poignant. You know the formula for most romances is girl meets boy, they are interested in each other but something keeps them apart. I have to say that this time I actually felt that they would be better apart. I mean, I was glad in the end that it worked out the way it did, but I never thought it would work. Leanna is an “American” who was married and is now widowed. Alex is a Greek immigrant working in the mines. He had a fiancé back home but she died. He was a good friend of her husband and offers her help. But the entire community is against them, even his family. The story is well told and kept me invested in the characters. What a sweet cover!

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.”


Description from the Publisher:
Journey now to Castle Gate, Utah of 1910 where...
Forbidden Love Tries to Survive Old World Expectations

Schoolteacher Leanna McKee plans on leaving the coal mining town of Castle Gate, Utah, and never looking back. Good riddance to coal dust, rugged men, and the fatal mine that took her husband’s life.

Until the widow meets a widower who awakens her heart...and she finds herself inexplicably falling for miner Alex Pappas which stirs up a whole heap of trouble.

Alex’s Greek parents have arranged a more traditional match for him.  When the schoolteacher’s association with the Greek family begins to anger the American miners, they threaten Alex and his family. Leanna has received an offer to teach elsewhere and feels she has no choice but to leave Castle Gate. . .though she will be leaving her heart behind.

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The Regency Brides Collection

by Amanda Barratt, Angela Bell, Susanne Dietze, Michelle Griep, Nancy Moser, MaryLu Tyndall, Erica Vetsch

Another “collection”. I guess this teaches me a lesson after the second collection in a row – yes I do like them! And I will continue to request them. As you’d expect, these all are set in the 1800’s and involve high society, the ton, coming out, in England. That’s where the expected ends – all are quite original and interesting. There’s a lot to like – an enjoyable read right to the very end. Is there ever a sequel to a romance collection? It might be time!

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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Description From the Publisher
Romance is a delicate dance bound by rules and expectations in Regency England...
Seven couples must navigate society’s gauntlet to secure the hand of true love....

Charity and Luke are strangers who were forced to marry three years ago.
Adelaide and Walter share a love of music and disdain for elitism.
Caroline and Henry are thrown together by three orphans.
Helen and Isaac harbor his unlikely secret.
Esther is empowered to choose between two men.
Sophia is determined not to choose a man like Nash.
Jamie and William face a daunting London season together.

Will their faith grow and love prevail in a time when both were considered luxuries the elite could not afford?
Description
Romance is a delicate dance bound by rules and expectations in Regency England...
Seven couples must navigate society’s gauntlet to secure the hand of true love....

Charity and Luke are strangers who were forced to marry three years ago.
Adelaide and Walter share a love of music and disdain for elitism.
Caroline and Henry are thrown together by three orphans.
Helen and Isaac harbor his unlikely secret.
Esther is empowered to choose between two men.
Sophia is determined not to choose a man like Nash.
Jamie and William face a daunting London season together.

Will their faith grow and love prevail in a time when both were considered luxuries the elite could not afford?

The Promise Bride by Gina Welborn, Becca Whitham

Murder. Mystery. Satisfaction.

It will make you lose sleep. If you’re like me and read at bedtime, the problem is that you won’t want to stop reading. I was engaged with the lead character Emilia right away, and thoroughly invested in the story shortly thereafter. Emilia lives in Chicago with her brother, little sister and father in terrible conditions. She is a planner – one of the best – and finds a way for them to get out of the tenements by becoming a mail order bride to Finn who is in Montana. They have carefully laid plans but other people put a severe twist in their plans. Emilia’s father accelerates their wedding plans with a marriage by proxy. Therefore Emilia is married when she, her brother and sister go to Montana ahead of schedule, but when she arrives the sheriff tells her to go back home – Finn was dead. They can’t really go back, so she decides to settle her husband’s debts and stay on the farm. The sheriff is against it, figuring that Finn’s killer might come back. But he has no idea how twisted and turned things are going to get as those involved with Finn's murder will blacken his name and pull Emilia in. This is one I can highly recommend, a very well told Christian Historical with lessons of faith.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Kensington Publishing and the 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.”

Description From The Publisher
In a booming frontier town, a heavenly match may be in store for mail-order brides seeking a fresh start . . . women of strength and spirit who embrace the challenges of life and love in the wild Montana Territory.

Determined to save her father and siblings from a crumbling Chicago tenement, Emilia Stanek becomes the long-distance bride of a Montana rancher. But when she arrives in Helena, a rugged lawman shatters her plans with the news that her husband is dead—and deeply in debt.

County sheriff Mac McCall can’t afford to be distracted by the pretty young widow, not with scandalous secrets emerging as he investigates his friend’s suspicious death. Mac’s gruff order that she leave town at once only spurs Emilia’s resolve to take ownership of her late husband’s ranch and face his debtors. But as her defenses soften, Emilia begins to accept Mac’s help, feel compassion for his own wounded heart—and learns that trust means taking a leap of faith . . .

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