The Noble Guardian by Michelle Griep

“Life is more than good ideas. It’s the risks that return greater results.”
England, 1815. Abbey is a combination of an extreme optimist and pure ignorance. She's very unhappy at home, and after her father arranges a marriage with a man that she met once, she's off to meet her groom to be. Unescorted except for a maid, because her family couldn't be bothered to spare anyone to go with her. The maid isn't up for as much adventure as what they're put through and goes back shortly after leaving. Even this didn't prompt her family to send someone to help Abbey. She is so frustratingly ignorant, but it adds to the constant tension of the story, mixed with the dangerous, life threatening storyline. She's also a sweet girl who has been mistreated, and you want to root for her.
Samuel is a Bow Street Runner Horse Patrol Captain who runs into Abby's carriage after a massacre. Their situations bring the two of them together, an unlikely combination, and it brings out lots of feelings in both of them, especially to the surprised Samuel. Quite a cynic, he struggles with not having enough money, she with not being loved by her family after her mother died. Both have lived a hard life. It's quite an adventure, leaving you holding your breath, wondering what will happen next. But you have to know what will happen to this girl. Knowing that most of her optimism comes from her deep faith helps to explain a lot. A good read! Don't you just love the cover? It's nice to see men on the cover - shows how appealing it can be, even with their shirt on!
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 Spice King by Elizabeth Camden

"The world was a good place. She needed to look for it, even when life was full of pain."
New book in the "Hope and Glory" series.
1900 Washington DC. Christian Historical. I was all in on the first page. 
This is intense.
Annabelle is from a farming family in Kansas. Her father was able to put her and her sister through college, which is quite a thing now, even more so back then. She and Elaine move to Washington, DC, she at the Smithsonian (later Department of Agriculture), her sister at the Library of Congress. Elaine is blind, and this seemed to be a great opportunity for her to learn and to grow, so despite the financial strain on the family, off they went.
Annabelle is a botanist (something I very much had wanted to be so I can relate). Her boss wanted a rare plant that Gray Delacroix was rumored to have, and told her that a permanent position depended on her getting in to Gray's property to see if it was there. She is pleasantly pushy (I pictured June Allison) and actually manages to get in to see him. Gray is from a wealthy family, built on hard work, and it takes more hard work to keep the fortunes going. Their family has earned their reputation by providing the best quality products. Not every company was that way. These were the early days when there was a lack of safety standards in the food industry, so companies could get away with putting out a product that was not what it seems. (Doesn't seem possible now, does it?) The story unfolds interesting information about Good Housekeeping in it's early days - what they did and why - and how important to our country it was. The story takes off from there, seeming to put Annabelle on one side of things and Gray on the other. Gray's brother never really wanted to work for the family - or so it seemed. Politics, secrets, money, mystery and life all play a part in this book. Choices made, right from wrong, scruples and personal standards are reviewed and explored. Integrity - or lack of it. Nothing boring here - all together an excellent read! Don't you just love that cover? Can't wait for the next in the series.
"The world was a huge, wide-ope landscape bursting with opportunity, and it was up to her to choose how she would live in it."
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 Midwife's Dilemma by Delia Parr

At Home In Trinity Series
Conclusion to a three part series involving Martha, a Midwife in Trinity Pennsylvania 1831. Christian Historical. This is one of those series for your shelf that you'll always look at fondly, as it's a companion for the time you're reading it, and lodges in your heart  in the same way as Jan Karon's Mitford series. Martha is a very stubborn woman and you're bound to get frustrated with her. She's surrounded by lovely characters, and everything is changing in Trinity. Things that she was always sure of are tipping and turning, and she's not sure of her place anymore - she doesn't know what she wants to do with herself when she grows up. This is one lady who doesn't move fast or make a hasty decision. Everything is done in it's own time. Sometimes it's frustrating to read about her - you want to tell her to just do it!. But that's not her way, and in the end it's all in God's time as well.

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 Lost Daughter by Gill Paul

A family tragedy. A fight for love. A long-buried secret.

Russia 1918, the Tsar and Tsarina Romanov were executed in the Revolution.  There were conflicting reports as to whether their five children were also executed. Because of the opulence and romance of a royal family, it was hoped that one or more of the children had escaped and hid themselves. I remember as I was growing up hearing different stories of what could have happened, mostly about Anastasia. I had not heard anything about Maria. It was interesting to read about her and what she may have been like. The incredible detail of the writing makes you feel as though you are there. Not a quick read, it takes you through the pain, suffering, starvation and cruel living conditions in Russia at that time, also weaving in a more recent day (1973) character in Australia. Smoothly done. Holds your interest until the very end. Mild sexual content.

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 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.”
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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.”
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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

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