Daughters of Northern Shores by Joanne Bischof

". . . a washing that only grief could do. One that cleansed away a fragile sort of rest so that what remained was the courage to seek joy and peace in the arms of the Lord amid a storm."

1894-95 Virginia.  The second book of the series. You can enjoy this story without reading the first book, but you won't get the true depth of the feelings and really understand the why of it all. The men's heritage is Norway, and they're proud of Norse bloodlines. The girls come from different areas (Aven is from Ireland). Haakan, one of the brothers, has been away after the explosive exit he made in the previous book. He is tortured by what had happened, and looks for relief in different outlets. Addiction runs in some members of this family. He has been a sailor, sailing to many different countries, but loving the land of their heritage the most. He decides to go back home to Virginia and try to make things right with his family, only to learn that his brother Thor is seriously ill. The struggle to rid themselves of the feuding neighbors, fighting for their very lives, combined with the stress of the previous happenings is told with such a great depth. The author describes what it is like for a deaf person and addiction so thoroughly, in such detail, that it tears you apart. But lessons in faith and how God uses even the dark places in our lives for good weave throughout this book. I love this series. It will make a wonderful addition to any library!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and 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.”
#DaughtersofNorthernShores #JoanneBischof #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

My Reviews:
Goodreads
Powells
BookFun
Amazon

A Bound Heart by Laura Frantz

Set in the 1700s, first in Scotland along the sea, then America. Lark is descended from a fierce warrior clan whose laird was killed and their castle destroyed. She and her Granny lived and worked at the castle nearby, in the stillroom. Which means they gathered plants and tended bees, for medicinal and other uses, preparing medicines for the Laird and his people. She grew up with Magnus, the current Laird, learned with him. He is a good and handsome man, but forced by his father married another woman - and it didn't go well.  Rich, deep Christian historical fiction. I want to spend more time with these people.

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

#ABoundHeart #LauraFrantz #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

My Reviews:
ChristianBook
Goodreads
BookFun
Powells
Amazon

Between Two Shores by Jocelyn Green

Not a quick read, but hard to put down. So interesting. Lots and lots of depth to this; masterfully written storytelling. Set near Montreal, which is just north of where I grew up and not that far away. It's during the French and Indian war, and Catherine, their ransomed British indentured servant and a French soldier play a big part in ending the war in the fall of Quebec. Catherine is half Mohawk, her father was from an upper crust white family but chose to leave and be a trader. They shipped and traded in an area near Albany, again not far from where I grew up and near where I had lived for a time. Also, my husband's Dutch ancestors were involved during the war and grew food on his land near Albany that supplied the British. The relationships between the diversified characters twist and turn with emotion, and give the reader a glimpse of how different factions of people in this war felt, and how much all are alike. Catherine is a strong girl, growing up on the pages and learning about herself. Being a half breed brings challenges as well as advantages, making her uniquely qualified for her role. The love story is excruciating at times, yet is quite natural in the way it's told. This was a gruesome war. Indians massacred villages and took people, children, to replace people in their families who they lost, raising them, making them slaves and sometimes selling them. They could be ransomed for sums of money. There is deep faith in the story too, bringing home how Jesus ransomed us. Brings history and different peoples to life!

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

#BetweenTwoShores #JocelynGreen #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

My Reviews:
Amazon
BookFun
Goodreads
Powells

A Return Of Devotion by Kristi Ann Hunter

A gem!

Recency Christian romance, second in a series. Filled with humor, this is yet serious as well. Haven Manor had been unused when Daphne and Kit moved in and set up a place for women of society who had been ruined and with child that no one wanted. Something Daphne knew about first hand. They gave them refuge, training to be in service, and a safe place where they raised the children. They had done so for about 14 years when the owners' son became the Marquise and decided to come there and live.

William had no idea what had gone on there over the years. He was just glad to escape the Ton and be somewhere peaceful. Or so he thought. Gradually he gets to know Daphne, who tried her best to act as housekeeper and hide it all from him, including her son who looked exactly like William. (His cousin was the father.)

The story is deep, intricate and wound with emotion and humor. I can identify with Daphne's insecurities. Her feelings will twist your heart. So will everyone else's.  You don't have to read the first book to enjoy this, but I highly recommend that you do.

This is an author to love and read everything she writes.  She has built a place with such interesting people, and it's fascinating to get to know them and wonder what will become of the rest of the characters. People of wealth learn they can care and help others that they usually wouldn't interact with. And the girls who were used to that high society life learn about their strengths and talents while deeply caring for others and making a new life.

Thank goodness for chapters in a book so that there is a place to put it down once in awhile. But you may be like me and not want to put it down, reading for more hours at a time than you planned!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and 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.”
#AReturnOfDevotion #KristiAnnHunter #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

My Reviews:
Amazon
Goodreads
BookFun
Powells

Hidden Universe Travel Guide: The Complete Marvel Cosmos by Marc Sumerak

I love Marvel stories. I admit that back in the day I thought my brother childish when he read the comic books, but once the first tv show came out I was hooked. Bruce Danner was a favorite of mine when the tv series ran, and of course Superman before him. But as more and more characters starred in movies, their home planets were harder to keep track of, and sometimes a bit hard to understand (since I had not read my brothers comics). This book remedies that! And explains a lot of detail overall. I would never guess the spelling of many of these places. 

So if you would like to plan a trip to the marvel universe this is for you. Or some obscure places on Earth. It also tells you what to do and what not to do, cultural info and even how to dress or act. Plus miscellaneous notes from the guardians of the galaxy. All in one place. What's not to love about that? A really cool book to get or gift.

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

#HiddenUniverseTravelGuide  #MarcSumerak  #NetGalley  #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

My Reviews:

Amazon

Goodreads

Powells

BookFun

The Captured Bride by Michelle Griep

Intense story from the French & Indian war about a cross breed Mohawk Scout who works with a Queens Ranger. They are paired with a French traitor to pose as a family moving across Upstate NY to the next Fort. This is country I'm familiar with, and find the description of the woods and plant therein quite accurate, bringing back memories of the area where I grew up.

Mercy is unique in being a female scout, as well as being unusually tall and with blood of an Indian leader. Elias also has an unusual background and is not as he seems. He's on an important mission involving many lives. Their trip us full of danger, mystery and secrets with lessons and growth in faith. Christian Historical Fiction.

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

#TheCapturedBride #MichelleGriep #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

My Reviews:
Amazon
Goodreads
Powells
BookFun

Beneath A Prairie Moon

What a special little town where everyone is good hearted and watches out for then others. Oh that's not to say that they aren't a little rough around the edges, but each is endearing. Founded by mostly single men, a bunch if them decide to send to a matchmaker for brides.

Helena wants to be sure that her brides are well cared for before she sends them out. Usually she can correspond to make this determination, but with this many men it is easier to pay a visit with her assistant. Neither of them expect the experience to be as it ends up! Wonderful read to get totally lost in for awhile.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and 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.”
#BeneathAPrairieMoon #KimVogelSawyer #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

My Reviews:
Amazon
Goodreads
Powells
BookFun