The Potter's Lady by Judith Miller

Christian Historical. 1872 West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Rose is from an Irish immigrant family, hard working stock, with a bricklaying background. She has gone to Art School in Philadelphia where even though she excelled she was treated badly because she was Irish. And was never good enough. As she went back to her loving family, they were in transition. (For a richer experience read the previous story.) Her brother had married into a wealthy family,  but they were not without turmoil and infighting. He is trying to make a decision as to which business to buy in another close-by town, and takes Rose with him. One of the businesses is a pottery, and Rose feels this is the opportunity she needs for her artistic abilities to contribute to the family business and make it grow. At this company there is a handsome assistant, Ryan, who is talented in his own right as well as a hard worker and quick learner (and Irish). He is invaluable to them. A wealthy social connection of her sister-in-law's mother is also from a family that owns a potting business. He us also a handsome young man. He courts Rose, but does not have the same kind of ambition, work ethic or moral values. The main characters are quite endearing, with full depth. They make you feel protective and want to root for them to be treated fairly and for them to win throughout the struggle and duplicity. This is also a fascinating story of pottery and how it is made at a factory level. Excellent read with Christian values shown. Togetherness and family come through.

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.”
#ThePottersLady #JudithMiller #NetGalley #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #ChristianHistorical #5Stars

Reviews:
Amazon
Goodreads
Powells
BookFun
Pinterest
Twitter
ChristianBook

Evermore by Jody Hedlund

Continuation of the series (read Always first) this being the story of the oldest Princess Constance, now known as Adelaide.  A strong girl, raised along her boy cousins, equally able to fight and compete in tournaments. Yet she is also kind and compassionate towards others. From a Noble family, Christopher left home when his father pledged his loyalty to King Ethelwuf who usurped the good King. He came back after serving another good King from the north, intending to say his goodbyes to his family and never return. But it being Adelaide's 20th birthday, things progressed quickly as it was quietly revealed who she really was, rekindling her old memories in the process. A momentous change and revelation for her and her family. Since she is the rightful heir to the throne, evil King Ethelwuf wants to kidnap her and get the key she holds (one of 3) to the treasure of Solomon. A tense, twisting depthful story unfolds that will keep you on edge till the end of the book. Highly entertaining Recency with Christian lessons.

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.”
#Evermore #JodyHedlund #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #NorthernLightsPress

Reviews:
Amazon
Bookbub
Goodreads
BookFun
Pinterest
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram

Wherever You Go by Tracie Peterson

Never a doubt for 5 stars with this author.
1901 Christian Historical. The background for this series is a highly talented all girl wild west show. Mary is a sharpshooter, one of the best. The murder of her brother, revealed in a previous book, is still unresolved. Chris is a journalist who gets permission to do a series of articles on the show as he follows them around. He has secrets he doesn't want anyone else to know, and feels Mary could never love him because of them.

This is a continuation of the story for these characters, each fully developed and with a life of their own. Lizzy is a Brookstone, her family the owners of the troupe, and is one of the star performers. She is closer to Wes now, but Jason, son of their financial partner, steps in to run things and makes it hard for Lizzy. From a privileged background, Jason expects to get everything he wants - including Lizzy.

Tracy is so good at bringing several characters fully to life, weaving around their lives, and struggles with life, all intermixed with bible based lessons of Christianity. These people are all very talented risk takers, so there's never a dull moment. Danger and mystery with lessons of love and faith.

". . . as his stepmother used to say, . . . get glad in the same clothes he got mad in.”

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.”
#WhereverYouGo #NetGalley #TraciePeterson #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

Reviews:
Amazon
Goodreads
Powells
BookFun
Pinterest
Twitter
ChristianBook

The Midwife's Tale by Delia Parr

I felt there were some similarities to the PBS show Lark Rising and Jane Kirkpatrick's books. If you know either, you know you'll also be in love with Martha and this town setting quickly. Full of wisdom and insight in the life of a woman.  Self examining, lessons learned, wisdom to pass along that will help others to become stronger. Lessons of Christian faith as well. 1830 Western Pennsylvania. Christian Historical. The author says, "I hope The Midwife’s Tale will place midwifery and herbal treatments in historical perspective." A deeply satisfying story that will endear you to the characters, rooting for them along the way and feeling every bump in their road.

Martha is a midwife, trained by her Grandmother whose Mother had been a midwife and hers before her through the generations. She took the responsibility of delivering babies and taking care of children very seriously, continuing a diary that served as a record of births for the area. But a couple of things threw her a curve ball. Her daughter ran away while she was out on a call, and a new doctor came to town while she was away looking for her. She tried to find her daughter without success and returned home to find the new doctor trying to deliver a baby. This is a time when doctors had a way of treating pregnancy as an illness, with policies of bloodletting and purging, contrary to what midwives did using natural ways.

She learns that even though life changes, you can still do your best to be kind and help others, persevering even when others are unkind. A bird in a cage and a young orphan boy come into her life, and she finds new meaning and worth in taking care of them as well as the other people in the small town of Trinity, which for all it's faults will make you love it and want to come back.

"In the end, we must trust God to know what is best before we do, and to know that one day He will shower us with joy equal to the pain we have endured.”

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.”
#TheMidwifesTale #NetGalley #DeliaParr #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

Reviews:
Amazon
Goodreads
Powells
ChristianBook
BookFun
Twitter
Pinterest

Always by Jody Hedlund

Spellbinding. In a fictional land ruled by Kings and Queens, there are struggles between generations with twins as to who is the rightful heir. Regency Fiction. I was hooked right away, on the edge of my seat the entire rest of the story. In depth characters. A noblewoman lady in waiting Lady Felicia was given newborn twin princesses to rescue by their dying mother the Queen, one of the King also chose one of his guards, Lance, for the task. But first they have to get out alive - then stay that way. And find the other Princess and take her to safety as well. Constant danger, strength and courage, deepening the character's personalities and lives. A great way to start a series! Although this is marked as a young adult book, adults will enjoy it as well. Not childish in any way.

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.”
#Always #JodyHedlund #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #NorthernLightsPress

My Reviews:
Amazon
BookBub
Goodreads
BookFun
Pinterest
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram

The Work Of Art by Mimi Matthews

Very well written. Keeps you emotionally on edge right to the end. Sweet, clean romance.
Philly is an orphaned young lady, put under the mercenary care of the male heir who inherited her Grandfather's estate. She was forced to go to London, only allowed to take her dogs, where she was to be presented. She meets a veteran of war who had been wounded, and also came under the attention of a powerful, wealthy Duke called The Collector. She had two different color eyes and was beautiful, getting her the nickname of the work of art. The Duke was ruthless in acquiring what he wanted - unusual things - like Philly. Slow tones of romance with building danger keep you engaged, making it hard to put down. It only takes a short time to feel for this damsel in distress and wish only for her simple happiness. She's strong, capable and practical, seeing the heart of every situation,  animal and man.

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.”
#TheWorkOfArt #NetGalley #MimiMatthews #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

My Reviews:
Amazon
BookFun
Powells
Goodreads
Pinterest
Twitter

The Undertaker's Assistant by Amanda Skenandore

"Her past was all around her, yet still beyond her reach."

Wow, This would make a good movie. Become immersed right away and continue to be so throughout. Interesting, unpredictable story. Effie is 7 years old, running into a Union camp during the Civil war, taken in by a doctor. She assists him through the War and he takes her up North with him after the North wins. Even though freedom from slavery is won, the progress those of her race have made is resented.  Eleven years later she goes back South to New Orleans to try to remember and find some kind of connection with her early life.
The doctor who raised her taught her to be his assistant as an embalmer, and she is good at it. She's very bright, knowing the entire anatomy, German, Latin. Her Northern accent is not appreciated though. As she learns more about her past, she grows with the relationships she forms along the way, and finds her own strength and personal freedom. Overall a clean read, with some mild sexual references, such as what the slave traders did to her even though she was a little girl. Brings to light some of the very cruel treatment of African Americans. The violence and intimidation depicted in the story are based on historical fact.

"Even the chains and shackles would someday rust and crumble. Then who could say it happened at all?"

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.”
#TheUndertakersAssistant #NetGalley #AmandaSkenandore #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout

My reviews:
Amazon
Goodreads
Powells
Pinterest
Twitter
BookFun
Twitter2