Books You Can Feel Good About

Friday, November 13, 2020

A Gilded Lady

I really like these characters, and their stories are so interesting. Caroline and her twin brother are the renegades in this wealthy family, but always seem to land on their feet. Until Luke is wanted for treason and ends up in a Cuban jail. Caroline, with her penchant for giving big parties went to work for President McKinley's wife as her secretary, fitting right into that high profile life. And she met the head of the Presidents' security who is a stickler for rules. Caroline is an interesting mix of spoiled wealth and loyalty to the people she cares about, with a sense of duty and protection. She really challenges Nathaniel. But they find they have more in common than they think, and grow to admire each others traits. So interesting story of behind the scenes life at the early White House, mystery and intrigue. I was easily hooked and ate this right up, finding it hard to put down. A highly interesting and complex family, this is a series to immerse in.

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.

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Tuesday, November 3, 2020

Things We Didn't Say by Amy Lynn Green

Brilliant format.

The whole book is told in the format of letters written. Set after the war with both Germany and Japan. A brilliant yet snotty young girl Jo is in college, finally escaping her small home town, when during the war she is pretty much forced to return home and act as an interpreter at a POW camp. Her best friend is a Japanese American guy who is a teacher of language for interred young men preparing to go overseas. The story opens with Jo being charged with treason. She fought going back home and putting her dreams on hold but her scholarship sponsor forces the issue.

It was uncomfortable at first reading a story in this format, but it didn't take long to find it brilliant. There is so much you learn about each of the people in the letters and you can read between the lines. Friends from collage, friends from home, German prisoners, people from the small community. All weave the story. Expertly. With family of German heritage I always wondered how they felt as Americans here during the war, what it was like with German POW camps nearby, how they were treated in this small town. This story gives you a possible glimpse. A sleepy small town becomes full of hostility, examples of the humanity of the prisoners soften the opinions of many. Hard to put down!

#ThingsWeDidntSay #NetGalley

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.

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Saturday, October 31, 2020

The Woman In The Green Dress

London 1918 and Sydney, New South Wales 1853

It's the end of the war. Fleur had married Hugh, but he hadn't returned from the fighting yet. She has a mysterious request from a solicitor to go to Australia as she has inherited her husband's estate, but she hasn't received a telegram and doesn't believe he's dead. She goes to Australia against her judgement and tries to learn more about what is involved. The solicitor there is away, and their records are in chaos after a move, so the mystery continues to unfold in slow layers as you get to know Fleur and the supporting characters. The story goes back and forth in time, revealing small bits at a time. It's told expertly to hold your interest and get the feel for the people. Great story, right to the end.

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.

#TheWomanintheGreenDress #NetGalley

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The Mail-Order Standoff by Angela Breidenbach; Margaret Brownley; Susan Page Davis; Vickie McDonough

4 Grooms Are Stymied When Brides Get Cold Feet - 4 Historical Stories

Things don't always start out as expected in Mail Order matching, but when the couples include God in their lives, they can't go wrong.

Right on Time

1883 Kentucky and Montana

Looks can be deceiving. An English Lord, third son, wants to be a veterinarian and learn ranching, to make a life for himself. Which is why he answers an ad for a mail order husband placed by the Ranch owner. Tara, his daughter, isn't in on the deal. They make things tough for him, but he holds his ground, proving to be a valuable asset. Deep story with tragedy and success and life lessons.

Pistol Packin’ Bride

Absurdly, hilariously sweet and romantic. Very entertaining when a handsome lawyer who had been adopted by three families in a small town in Texas meets his mail order bride that he knew nothing about. She has a lot to take in, since she also accidently shot him and is sent to jail in the town where they all love him.

The Bride Who Declined

1885 Boston then Texas

An upscale Boston seamstress inherits a ranch when the man she had answered an ad for a mail order bride, and had turned him down, died. But there are conditions. Jack is the Foreman and helps her get to know the ropes. Another man shows up thinking the Ranch should have been his, and he's willing to do whatever it takes to get it. God throws us unexpected roads, but He has a plan with our best interests at heart.

Twice the Trouble by Vickie McDonough

Cactus Creek, Texas Early May 1888

Irish twins answer a Mail order bride ad to get away from their aunt. When they get to Texas they decide to gain some time and won't tell the men their names. Interesting story of their getting to know one another and find their true matches, and decipher God's plan for them all.

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.

#TheMailOrderStandoff #NetGalley

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The Chisholm Trail Bride by Kathleen Y'Barbo

1880 Texas Christian Historical

Satisfying Western story about Eliza who grew up in a wealthy Ranch, going on a cattle drive with her father, brothers and two of her friends. The boys get into a fight that changes all their lives. Interesting tale of Texas prestigious families and their lives. A wild and spoiled girl who grows up, learning lessons as she goes. Mix in a murder mystery, kidnapping and betrayal. Great read!

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.

#TheChisholmTrailBride #NetGalley

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Thursday, August 27, 2020

Blacksmith Brides by Amanda Barratt, Angela K Couch, Pegg Thomas, Jennifer Uhlarik

Hearts Are Forged by the Flames of Gentle Love in 4 Historical Stories

Unlikely matches prove to be perfect, well orchestrated designs from God.
Worth Saving
Philadelphia 1774 as the Revolutionary War was building to start. Redheaded Meg met Alexander as she is looking for soldiers kits for her brothers and father when they will go off to war. He is taken with her right away. Events bring them together as the story develops. He is determined to go West and not fight. Daniel Boone hears about him and asks him to join their group going to Kentucky. So well written! I'd love to read a continuation of the story,!
Forging Forever
England 1778
Josiah meets Elowyn at an auction, an auction of her as her father puts her up for sale.
A Tempered Heart
Virginia 1861 After the death of her husband, Esther returns home with her special needs son and meets Thomas, the only one who took to her Charlie. Thomas was made an indentured servant when he was a boy, then took on a debt that wasn't his.
A Malleable Heart
California 1870
Bo was sold into service, Leah was taking care of he brother and sisters. They both feel ostracized and unworthy, but find they make a good fit, and their lives are all improved by being together. Some trouble happens and they find how much they've changed.
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.
#BlacksmithBrides #NetGalley

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Among the Poppies by J'nell Ciesielski

Incredibly real story set in WW1, Britain then France. Amazing depth of characters and story woven expertly with realities of war. Gwen is a chauffeur`s daughter. He raised her working on cars and driving. She was also best friends with the daughter of the house. This story is filled with interesting people with very little in common coming together in life and making things work. The girls were involved with the volunteer war efforts, but Gwenn wanted to do more, like drive an ambulance, and see more of the world. Chance meetings with a young soldier that her friend was crazy for and a Dowager Lady putting together an ambulance relief group, changed her life. She got her dream, but became deeply entrenched near enemy lines. Excellent with not one second of a dull moment. Many times that pull your heart strings and you feel the good, anguish and everything in between. Read this!
Quotes
“You must have facts to navigate this life. Otherwise, you are lost with nothing solid to cling to.”

“But they give you nothing to soar toward. What is life without a dream to strive for?”
I received a copy of this book from the Author and Publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

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