The Story Peddler by Lindsay A. Franklin

I can so picture this.
This would make a spectacular movie or series. Animators would have a blast!

From farmland to palace, simple clothes to gowns, secrets and an orphan looking for guidance. Set in a syfy world, this author is a master weaver. In this story some characters have a talent to tell a story and make it visual, with swirls of colors and objects flowing from their hands as they speak. Tanwen aspires to a life telling stories for the king, not realizing at first the tyrant he is. She did know that he has outlawed stories not sanctioned by him and found it hard to comply, which put her and those around her in great danger. His kingdom is full of goddess worship by force, but some still only worship the Creator. This story is very well written and is a place I am looking forward to seeing more of.

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:
Selling stories is a deadly business
Tanwen doesn’t just tell stories—she weaves them into crystallized sculptures that sell for more than a few bits. But the only way to escape the control of her cruel mentor and claw her way from poverty is to set her sights on something grander: becoming Royal Storyteller to the king.
During her final story peddling tour, a tale of treason spills from her hands, threatening the king himself. Tanwen goes from peddler to prey as the king’s guard hunts her down . . . and they’re not known for their mercy. As Tanwen flees for her life, she unearths long-buried secrets and discovers she’s not the only outlaw in the empire. There’s a rebel group of weavers . . . and they’re after her too.

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Wynn in the Willows by Robin Jansen Shope

Wynn is a girl after my own heart. She loves botany – plants, the woods – more than cities. She has been to college and has a grant to study the plants where she is from as a child and where her Aunt still lives on Willow Island. I don’t envy her mixed up life though. After her father died, her mother left for overseas. She was taken in by her Uncles and raised in a happy environment, but she still has a lot of unresolved mysteries – how her father died for example. She loves the island and small town atmosphere but is surrounded by murder and mystery shortly after getting to her Aunt’s guesthouse. She is drawn to the local handyman, but he soon becomes part of the mystery surrounding the town, making her more confused. Her Aunt’s bible study group takes Wynn in, and they all have something to contribute and learn. Life lessons and faith play a part in their daily lives, and they find ways to support and help each other. Interesting story about personal growth and family.

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.”

From the Publisher:
Wynn Baxter returns to Willow Island to study rare plant life and welcomes the opportunity to investigate the mysterious circumstances of her father's death. But the truth gets complicated as twenty year-old memories begin to surface. What Wynn learns will shake her emotional foundation. A haunting story of forgiveness, science, murder, and other matters of living.

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The Weaver's Daughter by Sarah E. Ladd

Murder, social pressure, strength, love, faith. Fully engaging Christian Historical.

This is a time of struggle in England with the traditional mode of business of weavers, mill owners and those who provide other services in making cloth. Family owned businesses that also made up the fabric of the village life and livelihood. Of course, as time goes by new options come up and some are more business minded than others in handling that business. Those who make decisions to grow their business affects the others, with some becoming wealthier than others. Combine wealth and society where the wealthy control and socially snub others makes for a stirred pot in a small village.

Kate's family are weavers. She loves her father and brother, but her brother left them to work at the mill, where he feels the future is. Kate is fully capable of running their business but since she is a woman her father will not allow it. She is being forced by her father to marry a weaver. The man of his choice is not happy when she doesn't want to marry him. Years ago Kate's best friend Frederica, from a mill family, cut off their friendship because of her family's wishes, and she too is being forced to make a decision and marry. But the one she wants is not progressing towards her as she wants.

Kate is both very strong and capable yet has deep feelings and feels hurt by her father, friend and the plight of those who are worse off than her.

Henry was away at war and presumed dead. He returns to his home with his grandfather at the mill to find things have changed. His grandfather has grown their business at the expense of others and made him downright mean in the process. Then he is murdered.

Kate is as intrigued by Henry as much as she distrusts him. But her brother does trust him, and she finds herself thrown together with him more and more.

Henry's grandfather and partner want him to marry Frederica, but he is not so sure.  And he's drawn towards Kate.

Would the village, let alone their families, allow them to have a relationship?

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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”.

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A Borrowed Dream by Amanda Cabot

Secrets, danger and mystery, trust and faith learned. 1881 Texas Christian Historical

Catherine doesn't like doctors since the town doctor accelerated her mother's death. She is a school teacher with close family relationships in a town she grew up in.

Austin is a plastic surgeon hiding from a mafia boss in Philadelphia. He was born a rancher so that's what he decides to do when he and his daughter move to Texas. She’s an introverted six year old to the point that the adults are quite concerned about her - until Catherine brings her out of her shell. She’s good at keeping secrets, but she’s only a child.

A fast paced excellent read that keeps you engaged from the start, with characters you'll come to know and love.

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.”

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From the Publisher:
Catherine Whitfield is sure that she will never again be able to trust anyone in the medical profession after the town doctor's excessive bleeding treatments killed her mother. Despite her loneliness and her broken heart, she carries bravely on as Cimarron Creek's dutiful schoolteacher, resigned to a life without love or family, a life where dreams rarely come true.
Austin Goddard is a newcomer to Cimarron Creek. Posing as a rancher, he fled to Texas to protect his daughter from a dangerous criminal. He's managed to keep his past as a surgeon a secret. But when Catherine Whitfield captures his heart, he wonders how long he will be able to keep up the charade.
With a deft hand, Amanda Cabot teases out the strands of love, deception, and redemption in this charming tale of dreams deferred and hopes becoming reality.

My Heart Stood Still by Lori Copeland

I swear I heard music as I read this book. You know, like one of those western movies made in the 70s with beautiful characters, lots of action and comedy thrown in.  A bit cheesy, but a really good story – very entertaining!

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”.

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Description from the Publisher:
From bestselling author Lori Copeland (more than 3 million books in print) comes the inspiring sequel to Sisters of Mercy Flats.
The three wily and beautiful McDougal sisters can swindle a man faster than it takes to lasso a calf. But their luck is running out, and they’re about to be hauled off to jail. When the wagon carrying them falls under attack, each sister is picked up by a different man.
Anne-Marie, the middle sister, is saved by Creed Walker, a Crow warrior. It’s loathing at first sight, but with bandits on their tail and a cache of gold to hide, Creed and Anne-Marie need each other. Will they learn to put aside their differences and trust each other—and God? And can their growing faith turn their lives around?

Keturah by Lisa T. Bergren

Oh, I LIKE this book!

Keturah is the eldest daughter. She’s been widowed by a man who had seemed like a wonderful match, but like many abusive men, he turned on her after they were married. This left her with a promise to herself that she would never let another man control her or her sisters. Their father dies and leaves his estates in poor financial condition. The main income comes from their estate in the West Indies, so she decides to go there and bring the sugar plantation back to good condition. Her sisters are as plucky as she is and decide to go with her. Even though they’ve been warned, they go against society’s rules and find some shocking realities. A place of tropical beauty, it is male dominated and cruelty to slaves – and anyone who doesn’t act as they wish – is common. But Keturah and her sisters intend to do things their own way and bring their plantation back to life. Gray is an old family friend and flirted with everyone except Keturah when they were coming of age. His rejection then and way of life afterwards repels her, so she finds it difficult to believe that he’s changed. He is depending on turning his family’s plantation around as well, and finds that trying new things might bring him success.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher from the Baker Publishing Group, Bethany - 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
In 1772 England, Lady Keturah Banning Tomlinson and her sisters find themselves the heiresses of their father's estates and know they have one option: Go to the West Indies to save what is left of their heritage.
Although it flies against all the conventions for women of the time, they're determined to make their own way in the world. But once they arrive in the Caribbean, proper gender roles are the least of their concerns. On the infamous island of Nevis, the sisters discover the legacy of the legendary sugar barons has vastly declined--and that's just the start of what their eyes are opened to in this unfamiliar world.
Keturah never intends to put herself at the mercy of a man again, but every man on the island seems to be trying to win her hand and, with it, the ownership of her plantation. She could desperately use an ally, but even an unexpected reunion with a childhood friend leaves her questioning his motives.
Set on keeping her family together and saving her father's plantation, can Keturah ever surrender her stubbornness and guarded heart to God and find the healing and love awaiting her?