Across the Blue by Carrie Turansky

This story takes place in England when aviation was just getting started. The Wright brothers had just made their historic flight in Paris and inspired others to try their skills at making their own plane and flying. It also inspired their onlookers and made investors of some. And pointed out a country's vulnerabilities to planes being able to fly over.

Bella's father is a wealthy self-made newspaper man looking for prestige in society to go with his wealth. She of course is expected to marry a man with a title to bring that social connection to the family. But she is like her father and likes to write and be in the middle of current affairs.  And Bela and her father share a fascination for aviation.

Jack happens to crash land his plane on the Grayson's field as they're touring their new estate. His mother wasn't married and he doesn't know who his father is. He's in the running to design airplanes and fly across the channel and has captured the attention of Grayson and his daughter. With only these facts he wouldn’t be in the running as a suitor for Bella – unless he wins perhaps, and captures the prize money and fame.

It's not unusual for any of us to examine our self-worth and standing with others we live around. It's easy to let others conception of who or what we are to limit us. It's just so satisfying to watch people break out, stand tall and prove to themselves and others what they really are capable of. In this story it applies to both Jack and Bella, standing on both sides of high society lines. Each has to follow their own plan that God has for them in order to excel.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free – from the WaterBrook & Multnomah 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
Set in Edwardian England and ideal for readers who enjoy Julie Klassen novels, this romance about an English aviation pioneer and the girl who falls in love with him is filled with adventure and faith.

Isabella Grayson, the eldest daughter of a wealthy, English newspaper magnate, longs to become a journalist, but her parents don't approve. They want her to marry well and help them gain a higher standing in society. After she writes an anonymous letter to the editor that impresses her father, her parents reluctantly agree she can write a series of articles about aviation and the race to fly across the English Channel, but only if she promises to accept a marriage proposal within the year. When James Drake, an aspiring aviator, crashes his flying machine at the Grayson's new estate, Bella is intrigued. James is determined to be the first to fly across the Channel and win the prize Mr. Grayson's newspaper is offering. He hopes it will help him secure a government contract to build airplanes and redeem a terrible family secret. James wants to win Bella's heart, but his background and lack of social standing make it unlikely her parents would approve. If he fails to achieve his dream, how will he win the love and respect he is seeking? Will Bella's faith and support help him find the strength and courage he needs when unexpected events turn their world upside down?

The Honey Bride by Diana Lesire Brandmeyer

 Sweet short story set in 1887 Illinois (Christian Historical Fiction).

Katie's family is in debt and going to lose their farm. Her father is determined to provide for her, Oma and her brother and has great love for them. She learns that honey and products made from beeswax can bring in good income, and might be what they need. But she gets stung and is afraid of the bees. A great story of love and caring for each other when times are tough as well as easy, for how would we get through alone? Through tragedy and triumph, these people stick together - a three-strand cord is stronger than one. Pushing through your fears, being strong, because you have to. But it's easier when you have people who love you. Love that cover!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Publisher. 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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From the Publisher:
Katie Tucker—afraid of her own shadow—is now in charge of her family’s future.
A tragic barn fire takes Katie’s father leaving her with a debt she can’t pay. Forced into a provider role for her brother and grandmother, she must overcome her shyness and find a way to save the farm.
Pete Dent has pined for Katie a long time, but he can’t even get a smile from her. He’s given up on settling down and ready to ride out of town. When lightning strikes the Tucker’s barn, he offers to help Katie with the farm and hopes to win her heart.
Will Katie overcome her shyness and learn to trust Pete, a man with no family?
The Honey Bride is a sweet Christian historical novella is set in Trenton, Illinois in the late 1800s. If you like memorable characters, lighthearted humor, and wholesome spiritual messages, then you'll love Diana Lesire Brandmeyer's powerful tale.

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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