The Beekeeper's Son by Kelly Irvin

I was once a professional beekeeper. We had 100 hives between what we owned and managed, some in Vermont, some in New York. It's a fascinating hobby and profession. With the title and great cover, I was expecting to see some good beekeeping facts and lifestyle in this book, and I did, but they were not all accurate I am sorry to say.  That being said, this was a very good story that's easy to recommend. I love that Amish stories discuss God in their everyday lives and make Him part of every situation. It's also a great romance for two families, both mother and daughter, father and son.


Deborah's father died and her mother Abigail decided to move their family to Texas where her brother was, and an old beau as well. The old beau would like to marry Abigail, but she finds new competition for her attention in another member of the community.

Deborah is determined to go back to Tennessee once her mother gets settled. They left friends, family and a special someone behind. Phineas was in a horrible accident years back, but is still not mentally healed. Physically he was terribly scarred on his face and head, and doesn't think anyone could ever love him. He and his father find solace and financial security in beekeeping.

This book is about the journey they take and how God has a plan for us all, even if it's not what we expected. Or where. And that at some point we have to take a chance, trust, and sometimes start over again.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Zondervan Fiction - 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 Lady at Willowgrove Hall by Sarah E. Ladd

Heartache as a young girl is wrenched from her home and forced to grow up alone. After living at a school for girls, she is thrust into a world of elegant living, afraid that her secrets will be revealed. But Willowgrove Hall has secrets of it's own.

I just love Regency settings with wonderful descriptions of gowns and a ball. I used to do a lot of sewing and embroidery, but it's been quite some time. The main character is taught by her mother to be a seamstress and loves to embellish her clothes - a talent I greatly admire. I may have been inspired to get back into it!

This is Christian Historical Fiction that opens at Aradelle Hall, Detham,England 1814. Cecily is 16 and running away to get married with the heir of the Hall, but her father catches them and hauls her away to a school for girls. Completely cutting all ties from her. She writes several letters trying to reconnect with her twin sister, but none are ever returned as her father had been let go from his position and they were forced to leave.  So without any family or means of support, Cecily has to take a job as a lady's companion at Willowgrove Hall - a position she is blessed to get. She is dropped off at the gate, struggling to find her way in and is met by the Steward, Nathaniel, and his dog.  He takes her to his family's humble home to rest and dry out and thus begins their tale.

This is a very well told story that you sink right into and don't want to put down. There are painful secrets at Willowgrove Hall and Cecily has her reasons to keep her background to herself. Little did she know that the one she was to run away with years ago is actually the heir to Willowgrove Hall - she's to be his Aunt's companion. As far as she knew, he had never bothered to try to find her after she was taken away. The difference in their social standing is more apparent now, since she was merely the daughter of a blacksmith.

There is a lot of personal struggle between the characters and little by little you gain insight as to why. It's a pleasure to see love bloom, even with the difficult Aunt that Cicely becomes a companion to. The Christian message is light throughout the book until towards the end as Cicely is drawn to a scripture and realizes the importance of leaning on God's assurance and His plan for our lives rather than our own ideas alone. Yet even when we stray from his path He uses all for good as we lean on Him.  Sarah E. Ladd is a new author to me, and I'm now a fan! This was the third in a series. I didn't miss the earlier books in reading this, but now I want to go back and read the others.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Thomas Nelson - 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 Bracelet by Dorothy Love

Death, mystery and possible murder. Secrets kept, waiting to be revealed.

This is a highly suspenseful  historical romance set in Savannah, Georgia 1858. It's loosely based on true events about a prominent family from that time. There are two sisters, one who married well, the other married in desperation as a second choice. Both of the sisters died at a young age. This story is about their two daughters, raised together, and how they turned out - one with the love of her father, the other without her father but cared for by her Uncle.  It's best read by adults.

It's a little confusing at first, with a flashback that I honestly forgot about once I got into the book. Both from wealthy families, Celia and Sutton have been best friends since childhood. Celia truly hopes to marry him and that he'll ask now that he's returned after two years away. Ivy is her cousin who came to live with them 15 years ago when she lost her parents.  Celia remembers very little from that time, but a newspaper reporter is trying to dig up the circumstances about Ivy's parents. He's written an article that came out in the paper, but he's sure there's a more sensational story yet to be revealed and is driven to find out all the dirty details at nearly any expense to the girls.

This is a good book that is well written, but still something is missing.  It's well worth the time to read, but it's not one that I'd call a keeper.  It's one of those stories where you're kept in somewhat of a fog until the end.  You almost need to read it to find out what's going on, then go back and re-read so that it makes more sense. There is a very slight Christian message, but it's not central to the story. I like the cover on this book - it helps to set the tone and mood. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook Bloggers 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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Steadfast Heart by Tracie Peterson

This is the first book in a new series, I already can't wait for the next one! In this multifaceted story, you quickly get to know and become attached to the characters. It's 1888 in Seattle, Washington at Miss Madison's school for brides. Lenore comes from a wealthy family, and her father's offices are in the same building as the school. Her father feels that it is time his daughter wed, so he's scouting for a husband for her.  Abrianna, Miss Madison's niece, doesn't do well learning the basic skills or social graces. Her interests lie in helping the poor and indigent; a calling from God.  Each of the girls counsel the other - Lenore helps Abrianna in social skills and Abrianna helps Lenore in spiritual study.

Kolbein comes to town looking for his sister, whom he has  tracked to Seattle. He comes to the school to look for her and when she's not to be found there enlists their help. Wade has been working at and coming to the school for many years and is a lifelong friend to Abrianna.

Priam wants to buy the property where the school is to expand his business, but the ladies don't wish to sell for many personal reasons. Then people are being killed and left outside their doors. Is there a connection?

Excellent read! Another book that you aren't ready for it to end.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from 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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Remember the Lies by Liz Toslma

Very well written. Maybe too well written.  Although very well told, it's a story that I cannot like.

It takes place on Manila, Philippines starting in 1941 with Pearl Harbor, just before and then during the Japanese invasion. In the Internment Camp people were treated so horribly, and the author captures that. The characters are very real and you can feel their struggle.  There are people of strong faith that influence and ultimately extend their faith to our main characters.

For Rand, it's a riches to rags tale.  He's the charismatic owner of two popular casinos, raised in wealth.  Not without some values, he yet walks the line. He has ideas for expansion into Singapore, Hong Kong and Saigon with visions of fame, proud that he would earn it on his own after his father's initial investment. You can feel his deflation as he loses it all. His father's older servant Armando is left behind but is ailing, his son reaching out to Rand for help in letters. Rand's only option is to escape, but it was tried before and failed with fatal results.

Irene works in the censor's office and is the one to remove some key words from the letter sent to Rand about escape. She did her job and retyped the letter with the words left out, but later she feels compelled to tell him the rest of the words, as he may be trying to escape. Thus begins their relationship as she finds him, but it's too late.

This is an excellent book for faith and testimony!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Thomas Nelson - 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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