Beloved Hope by Tracie Peterson

Beauty from ashes.
1847 Whitman Mission
Abhorrent
Indians attacked and killed the males, raped and kidnapped the women, holding them hostage for a month. Two and a half years later, they are being brought to trial – and Hope is one of their key witnesses. She is constantly having to come to terms with her life afterwards, finding it a difficult thing to get over. Having to go through the trial brings it all back to life again. And brings back the memory of the secret she keeps. Tracie Peterson works her magic as few other do, presenting the facts and bringing to life the feelings of those who were involved.

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.”
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The Golden Bride by Kimberly Woodhouse

"Joseph wondered why the Lord tarried. It had to grieve Him to see the way the world had gone."

Interesting story of the early days of San Francisco, during the days of the gold rush. Tens of thousands of people descended on the area in just a matter of months. Two prosperous young men were trying to live in kindness and goodness amongst all the sin and corruption. They were the best of friends. Then Daniel's sister came to live with him. He owned a restaurant and she began to help him, fitting right in with him and his friend.

It's very realistic, through their thoughts seeing the struggle and difficulties of making a way for goodness when the evil around them was so strong. There wasn't any law or government, and there wasn't room for everyone. People lived and ran businesses out of tents. Discrimination, theft, all types of crime were unchecked. These characters all had and developed strong faith together, doing all they could to help others. Excellent investment in your time!

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.”
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Waves of Mercy by Lynn Austin

"Often, it's not one great, dramatic thing that God asks us to do but hundreds of little everyday things."

Christian Historical Fiction. 1897 and 52 years before. Geesje is an immigrant from the Netherlands. Her story is rich with love and heartbreak both there and here in America. Her family settled in Michigan, naming the new town Holland.

Anna has broken up with her fiancé and leaves home for a resort in Holland Michigan to recover. On her way she is nearly shipwrecked, bringing up old nightmares. She was adopted by the man who did actually rescue her from a shipwreck, but they never told her what happened. This is a fabulous journey of discovery for Anna. For most of us our lives don't follow a neat pattern, a straight line. The lives of these people are tattered, shredded and torn, mended and edges smoothed by faith. I highly recommend it! First book in a series. The second book continues this story and is also fabulous.

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.”
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The Christmas Blessing by Melody Carlson

Emotional, mind blowing story of a young couple who met during the war. He was on leave in San Diego, she met him and they fell in love. He's sent back to the war before they could be married, but she had his baby 9 months later. She goes to Montana to meet his parents and the story unfolds. Deeply touching, intensely frustrating, and the story twists in ways unexpected. Hard to put down!!!! This has got to be one of Melody's best works. For an author that good, it's saying a lot.

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.”
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A Light on the Hill by Connilyn Cossette

What a breath of fresh air.
I love historical fiction, being transported through a character's eyes to different places and times. Quite often those places are quite significant. This surely is. This is a Hebrew girl, from the time when they had just come out of Egypt (the last 10 of the 40 years) and they entered Jericho, then settling in the area that was previously occupied, and rebuilding. Fascinating place and time to be brought to! An interesting situation the girl is in – she was kidnapped and held, branded with the symbol of a priestess on her face, then rescued and returned to her people. She is ridiculed for the brand and covers her head and face with a veil. Like so many of us, she believes those who belittle her and further imprisons herself.  The adventures that happen teach her about her self-worth as well as bring her closer to the one that God chose for her.

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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The Orphan's Wish by Melanie Dickerson

A new telling of the story of Aladdin. In the streets of Palestine he is orphaned, saved by a priest from living the life of a thief, and is taken to Germany. He is a stand out - different with his dark skin, hair and eyes - and is forever ashamed by his background. He's constantly trying to prove himself worthy to others.

Aladdin is befriended by one of the Dukes daughters and they become close friends. He is very bright and courageous even when so young. He soon realizes that he must make something of himself if he ever wants a chance to wed Lady Kirstyn, and decides to leave town and try. On his journey out of town he rescues a wealthy merchant who takes him in.

I became quickly wrapped up and enamored with the characters, and looked forward to reading about this new opportunity for Aladdin. It doesn't disappoint. There's danger, success and depth of love as well as much introspection, as both Aladdin and Kirstyn try to find their way through everything. They both come to realize that God has a plan for them and that they are perfect in His sight and wonderfully made.

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.”
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The Fashion Designer by Nancy Moser

 "So many of us New Yorkers share a rags-to-riches story."

Freedom of choice.
In the living of our lives things happen to us. We have the freedom to accept God's help, open the door and let Him in, or not.

In this book the characters all are put into situations - how and what they choose shapes their lives. The book is mainly about the women. They all join together and form a sisterhood. Joining strengths and supporting each other in their weaknesses, all becoming stronger for it.

Creativity continues in this edition of the series. Annie was a Maid who went on to design dress patterns for Butterick, and in this story goes out on her own (with friends) and starts her own dress shop, designed for the everyday woman. This was a huge step away from designing for the wealthy. It was believed at the time that money could not be made by selling clothes to "common" people. A wonderful story of hardship and success in this great country of ours.

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.”
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