The Mayflower Bride Daughters of the Mayflower (book 1) by Kimberley Woodhouse

Travel to America with the first residents!

What a pleasure to be able to read the first in this new series. My husband and I have been tracing our ancestry back as far as we can. In each instance, we would love to have a journal or something that belonged to our people so that we can understand their journey and know more about how they lived. Stories like this are so helpful to us. The author did a LOT of research before writing this story. I still find it fascinating how an author takes facts, creates new characters to illustrate, and fills in an individual’s day to day thoughts and actions to tell the tales. Kimberly is another great author who brings history and the people to life.

The two main characters of the book had their trip on the Mayflower decided for them.  They both grew in strength and learned how to live in faith. And found each other to share their troubles, individual thoughts and fears.

I bookmarked two of the passages, the first a quote from scripture, that go to the heart of this story:
“. . . Count it exceeding joy when ye fall into diverse temptations, knowing that the trying of your faith bringeth forth patience. And let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking nothing. “
And
“…but it wasn’t until I found salvation through Jesus Christ and my new faith that I was able to let go of the past.”

All of the passengers on the Mayflower (and that of other immigrants after) went through exceedingly hard times. It’s a wonder that any from this voyage made it at all, or that others still kept coming afterward. Timing is everything, and theirs was not good yet it's God who directs all of our lives, and uses many of us in one way or another to help and shape the lives of others.

Mary Elizabeth is carried along on the journey by her father and her best friend. They are very enthusiastic about the opportunity, but she would rather stay where they are in Holland. Yet the Separatist community they lived in felt that this was getting to be as bad as what they had left in England, so it was decided to emigrate.

William was orphaned as a baby and given to relatives to raise, who used him as a slave then kicked him out at 9 years of age. He lived on his own, working as he could to live, until a man found him, took him in and taught him the trade of being a carpenter. His mentor purchased a share on the Mayflower and a place in developing the new colony in America – so his path was set for him. A good and honest person, he had developed an excellent reputation – but because he was an orphan he would never have a social standing if he stayed in England. However, that early life had shaped him too, and fed his fears. He knew something was missing in his life, and found it when he sailed to America with the Separatists.

This is an excellent read that makes you wish you could learn even more about this time and the people who lived through it. I highly recommend it!

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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Description from the Publisher

Can a religious separatist and an opportunistic spy make it in the New World?
A brand new series for fans of all things related to history, romance, adventure, faith, and family trees.

Mary Elizabeth Chapman boards the Speedwell in 1620 as a Separatist seeking a better life in the New World. William Lytton embarks on the Mayflower as a carpenter looking for opportunities to succeed—and he may have found one when a man from the Virginia Company offers William a hefty sum to keep a stealth eye on company interests in the new colony. The season is far too late for good sailing and storms rage, but reaching land is no better as food is scarce and the people are weak. Will Mary Elizabeth survive to face the spring planting and unknown natives? Will William be branded a traitor and expelled?

Join the adventure as the Daughters of the Mayflower series begins with The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse.

More to come in the Daughters of the Mayflower series:
The Mayflower Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1620 Atlantic Ocean (February 2018)
The Pirate Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo – set 1725 New Orleans (April 2018)
The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep – set 1760 during the French and Indian War (June 2018)
The Patriot Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse – set 1774 Philadelphia (August 2018)?
The Cumberland Bride by Shannon McNear – set 1794 on the Wilderness Road (October 2018)
The Liberty Bride by MaryLu Tyndall – set 1814 Baltimore (December 2018)

Mountain States Medicinal Plants by Briana Wiles

Identify, Harvest And Use 100 Wild Herbs For Health And Wellness

Interesting book with lots of good information. Beautiful pictures. I have studied plants in our area of Upstate NY for a long time so I'm pretty picky when it comes to a book like this. I think it's very well written. While I think that you need to be very careful, I feel we could be using more plants to heal and keep us healthy.  It was the original medicine after all. You do have to be very careful to make sure that you properly identify the plant you harvest, and prepare it correctly as well. With some plants only certain parts are good to use – other parts of the same plant can poison you. This book has information for plants in the mountain states and puts it right at your fingertips.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from 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.” http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html.

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Until We Find Home by Cathy Gohlke

Captivating!
In Paris, American Claire and her boyfriend, who belongs to the French Resistance, are smuggling French Jewish children out of the country before they are invaded. She is all caught up in the romance of their life and hopes to become a great writer. She is sent alone with the children to the checkpoint, but her boyfriend and her contact don’t show up, so she is forced to get on the boat with the children. A harrowing story in itself, once ashore and again without a contact, she is practically abandoned when she remembers that she once heard that she had an Aunt in England. She knew little beyond the address and is finally taken there. It turns out to be a huge estate in the Lake District and a beautiful place for them to stay, except that her Aunt isn’t thrilled to see them and has been depressed by grief after the loss of her son and husband. Claire doesn’t know anything about children and find it difficult to be moved by them now that the romance of the situation is worn off. She finally gives up on the idea of going back to France. Of course the kids are scared, missing their families and need to be loved as well as cared for. The Americans aren’t received much better than the Jewish children by the community, which makes everything that much harder. Everyone is scared and wanting to protect themselves and their families. It’s a long process for Claire and her Aunt, with struggles and adventure they all learn to live together. David, another American, comes to stay with them for awhile and brings a fresh perspective to them all as well as a new love interest for Claire.  The story is beautifully told with lots of depth, danger, intrigue, love and life lessons in faith and family.

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”.

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Publisher's Description
For American Claire Stewart, joining the French Resistance sounded as romantic as the story lines she hopes will one day grace the novels she wants to write. But when she finds herself stranded on English shores, with five French Jewish children she smuggled across the channel before Nazis stormed Paris, reality feels more akin to fear.

With nowhere to go, Claire throws herself on the mercy of an estranged aunt, begging Lady Miranda Langford to take the children into her magnificent estate. Heavily weighted with grief of her own, Miranda reluctantly agrees . . . if Claire will stay to help. Though desperate to return to France and the man she loves, Claire has few options. But her tumultuous upbringing—spent in the refuge of novels with fictional friends—has ill-prepared her for the daily dramas of raising children, or for the way David Campbell, a fellow American boarder, challenges her notions of love. Nor could she foresee how the tentacles of war will invade their quiet haven, threatening all who have come to call Bluebell Wood home and risking the only family she’s ever known.

Set in England’s lush and storied Lake District in the early days of World War II, and featuring cameos from beloved literary icons Beatrix Potter and C. S. Lewis, Until We Find Home is an unforgettable portrait of life on the British home front, challenging us to remember that bravery and family come in many forms.

Holding the Fort by Regina Jennings

Sweet Christian Historical Romance that leaves you waiting for the next book. Endearing characters. I loved Louisa, who excelled as a singer but was not working in the best of places. When she hears that her brother is in trouble, she heads out to help him, stumbling on an opportunity that goes from misunderstanding to wonderful. Set at Historic Fort Reno, where an actual Cheyenne uprising did happen. Major Daniel Adams is known for having a stiff collar, but he soon finds himself grateful that Louisa is the governess to his two girls, although he can’t quite put his finger on what isn’t right about her. The girls begin to love and learn from Louisa, making it less likely that his mother-in-law will be able to take them away from him. For Louisa it’s a fabulous place to live where she can keep an eye on her brother and it opens a possibility for a new – more respectable – profession. Skillfully written and entertaining (as usual from Regina Jennings), leaving you holding your breath and cheering for Louisa all the way through.

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:
Jennings Winningly Combines Humor, History, and Romance

Louisa Bell never wanted to be a dance-hall singer, but dire circumstances force her hand. With a little help from her brother in the cavalry, she's able to make ends meet, but lately he's run afoul of his commanding officer, so she undertakes a visit to straighten him out.

Major Daniel Adams has his hands full at Fort Reno. He can barely control his rowdy troops, much less his two adolescent daughters. If Daniel doesn't find someone respectable to guide his children, his mother-in-law insists she'll take them.

When Louisa arrives with some reading materials, she's mistaken for the governess who never appeared. Major Adams is skeptical. She bears little resemblance to his idea of a governess--they're not supposed to be so blamed pretty--but he's left without recourse. His mother-in-law must be satisfied, which leaves him turning a blind eye to his unconventional governess's methods. Louisa's never faced so important a performance. Can she keep her act together long enough?

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The Sea Before Us by Sarah Sundin

Impossible to put down!

Another excellent story from Sarah Sundin. I just love all of the WW2 stories that Sarah has written and I consider myself blessed to receive a copy for review. This one takes place in England just before and during D-day, the invasion at Normandy. Dorothy and Wyatt are both working at headquarters to plan for the invasion, and later Wyatt is on one of the Destroyers. What a great insight into this time and place! So much went on that we would never know except for Sarah, and there is so much detail here. Then of course the characters are anything but boring. Both families are a bit of a mess, but the story is intricately woven and you get to love them all, British and American. Another great hit for Christian Historical fiction! Can’t wait for the next in the series!!!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Author and Revell/Baker Publishing Group - 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:

In 1944, American naval officer Lt. Wyatt Paxton arrives in London to prepare for the Allied invasion of France. He works closely with Dorothy Fairfax, a "Wren" in the Women's Royal Naval Service. Dorothy pieces together reconnaissance photographs with thousands of holiday snapshots of France--including those of her own family's summer home--in order to create accurate maps of Normandy. Maps that Wyatt will turn into naval bombardment plans.

As the two spend concentrated time together in the pressure cooker of war, their deepening friendship threatens to turn to love. Dorothy must resist its pull. Her bereaved father depends on her, and her heart already belongs to another man. Wyatt too has much to lose. The closer he gets to Dorothy, the more he fears his efforts to win the war will destroy everything she has ever loved.

The tense days leading up to the monumental D-Day landing blaze to life under Sarah Sundin's practiced pen with this powerful new series.

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Target Israel Caught in the Crosshairs of the End Times by Tim LaHaye and Ed Hindson

I read and loved the Left Behind books, where I first read Tim LaHaye’s work. This is a great factual book that breaks down Revelation and current events and makes things easier to understand.  It explains a lot about the Muslim faith and their goal. We need to know that Israel belongs to the Jewish people. Fact.

Quotes from the book:
“God’s promises to Abraham and Israel are unconditional and guaranteed through various covenants. A definite pattern for Israel’s future history was prophesied in Deuteronomy before the Jews set even one foot in the Promised Land.”

“There is no question that when Russia and her allies come down against Israel to wipe her out, that God will rescue her supernaturally and also prove that He is Lord of the Universe…He singles out four groups – mainly atheists and those who forget or reject God.”

We as believers should make every effort to tell people the Gospel of God’s grace so that as many people as possible will also become believers and escape the horrors of the Tribulation. This is an excellent book to show believers and non-believers what will happen – possibly very soon. There isn’t time to wait. The Rapture of the Church could happen any time, any day. We are told to keep looking up and waiting for Jesus to tell us “Come up here!”

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Harvest House Publishers 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

As the conflicts in the Middle East grow in intensity, we cannot help but wonder what lies ahead for the nation of Israel and whether any of it means we are drawing closer to the last days.

In their exciting new book Target Israel, prophecy experts Tim LaHaye and Ed Hindson explain why Israel is at the center of God’s prophetic plan for the future. As you carefully review the Scriptures with them, you’ll learn about…
the miracle of Israel’s modern-day existence, Israel’s unique purpose in the world, the ways in which
Israel serves as a super sign of the end times, the coming alliance of nations that will attempt to annihilate Israel, Christ’s return to Jerusalem to rule the world.

You’ll be inspired as you see how God will bring all His prophetic promises to pass, and be encouraged to share your faith with greater urgency in light of Christ’s second coming.

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