The Bridge to Belle Island by Julie Klassen

1819 England. Murder mystery. Information slowly unfolds. Isabelle can't leave the island where her home is, believing a curse after her parents and sister are tragically killed. The man, a distant uncle, who is running the estate treats her and her niece terribly and wants to sell part of her island off. He is murdered in London, something discovered by Benjamin, a young lawyer in the firm. It would have looked different if not for his excellent power of observation and detail. He had lost a case, and the elder law partner sent him out to Belle Island to uncover information. Isabelle is suspected even though she hasn't been able to leave the island for many years. Interesting and endearing characters and this small community unfold as you get to know them and the information winds out. As it nears the end the story gets intense and is impossible to put down. The story is set in a time before the establishment of a centralized police force as we know it today. Excellent Christian historical that you can expect from Julie Klassen. Struggles with insecurities and forgiveness are themes.
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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All Hearts Come Home For Christmas

"His enthusiasm for life was contagious, and when I was with him everything seemed larger. It was as if a vast existence that had never touched my being before had been opened up to me."

Perfect stories of love, at Christmas or any time of the year. Truly a special collection. Don't you just love that cover?

England 1816. Interesting twist, as the story begins with a seven year old boy who, because of the death of his father, has just become a Duke. The twist being that the story is about his mother, who had abandoned him. And the Vicar, also a lonely person.

London 1820 A young girl is working in a dress shop for nothing more than food to eat and a place on the floor to sleep when a gentleman stops in the shop with a button off his coat, and ends up asking if she'd come to care for his house, daughter and Aunt. An answer to prayer, and a great blessing.

London, 1814
Elizabeth wants to get out of going to the Ton's social events and away from her mother's attempts at match making, so she chooses to call out a confirmed bachelor and behave just slightly inappropriately so she'll have to sit out the season. She gets more than she expected!

Yorkshire, 1816
Nell, after her Pastor father died had to take a job as a seamstress. Jacob returned home after his cruel father died to care for his sister. When he had Nell come to the house to fit Alice with a new wardrobe, all of their lives turned for the better.

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.”

"Though Christmas remained a number of weeks away, a whisper of it hung in the air."

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Once Upon A Dickens Christmas

"My mother— God rest her—always told me to think of eternity, then live backward from that. Such a view has a way o’ whittlin’ down our current troubles to a size we can crumple up into a ball and toss aside.”
Do you love the classic dickens stories? This is a good addition to your library and a treasure. Full of similar hard times and strife in cruel times, where humanity triumphs. The first story is a fabulous mystery that will keep you guessing to the last. A second chance coin threads it's way through all of the stories. Of course with these authors you can't go wrong. Curl up with this book as soon as you get a chance. You'll love 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.”

"We are all different.We all bear one cross or another. And because of it, do we not each face our own particular cruelties?”

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The Victorian Christmas Brides Collection

Wow. What a fabulous collection. These are all special, deep and involved stories. Well worth the read, whether it's Christmas time or not. Highly recommended to keep your attention. Not your run of the mill romances.

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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Tiny Tim and the Ghost of Ebenezer Scrooge

Excellent short story. A continuation of the beloved Dickens Christmas story with a pure Christian message.

Except for the times I breathe in, I think of you only when I breathe out...
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher's 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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No Other Will Do by Karen Witemeyer

1894 Texas Christian Historical. When Mal was 13 he happened into a barn on a farm owned by a family of women who were strong and full of common sense and wisdom. His angel Emma found him freezing in the barn and they nursed him back to health. Years have gone by and he has been working for the railroad, but now these women need his help. They are being threatened. Always a fixer, Emma and a friend formed a women’s colony, where women could be treated fairly in business and life. But someone wanted to take it away from them. A dangerous mystery that could involve someone from their close knit town working against them. Hearts laid bare, they try to figure it out, with lessons of life and Christian faith strengthening their way. They fight the good fight and come through better for it, with a stronger relationship and self worth.
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 Preacher's Bride Collection

Six Old -Fashioned Romances Built on Faith and Love
Kimberley Comeaux, Kristy Dykes, Darlene Franklin, Sally Laity, DiAnn Mills, Colleen L. Reece

What an interesting collection. Creativity abounds! Good long stories, taking you all over and to different kinds of people and situations in the early days of our country.  Such deep and special stories it doesn't really feel like a collection type book. I was fascinated by the wagon train story. It had a way that seemed close to my heart. God has a way of taking us, as we start out in our young lives going in the way we are set on, and gently (or not) curving our path in unexpected ways. Especially in these stories, making the way an interesting one, and anything but boring. There's no way to choose a favorite here. Each is so deep and special, the only thing in common being Preachers and Brides. Some of these authors were new to me - I'm a fan now! It would be neat if there were continuing stories off of these, series style.

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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