Spy of Richmond by Jocelyn Green

No boredom here.

Have you ever wondered what it might have been like to be in a Civil War prison? Have you thought about your stand on slavery and what you might do about it if you had lived then? This book is so wonderfully written that you'll feel these are actual people and you're going about their lives with them in Richmond, Virginia, 1863. In fact, several characters interspersed throughout the book were real people. The author has definitely done her homework.

Union loyalist Sophie Kent's father has left them to fight with the Rebels. Her mother, from the North originally, has just died. Sophie feels that it is her mission to go to Libby Prison and help care for all those she can. Which does not make her popular, but a loyalist Ordnance worker comes to her rescue.  How long can she string him on?

Bella Jamison is a former slave who travels from relative safety in the North to Sophie's home,  bringing quinine to her twin sister. Her husband is in Libby Prison.

Harrison Caldwell, a freelance journalist and friend of Sophie's, accompanies Bella. He doesn't get the proper travel pass and ends up in the same prison. But he's always on the lookout for a good story.

This is a fascinating and deeply woven story of these characters, their personal drive and how they adapt to the constantly shifting circumstances they are forced through. It's the fourth in a series. I did not need to read the other books to enjoy this one, but now I want to go back and read the rest. Love the cover too.

Quote from the book: "But remember this: we must work as hard as we can at what we've been called to do and leave the outcome up to God. If we don't, we'll lose hope. And that is one thing we must never do."

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Moody 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.”

My reviews:
Goodreads
Books A Million
Google Plus
Pinterest
Twitter
LibraryThing
Shelfari
BookFun

Like a Flower in Bloom by Siri Mitchell

This Christian Historical Romance starts out in 1852 Cheshire, England. Love the cover, don't you? Our main character Charlotte is a botanist, from a long family of botanists, but is not accepted as an author or illustrator in her own right because she is female. So she assists her father (who is published) and submits her work under his name.

They are joined by Edward, a sheep farmer, who is quickly put to work as her father's assistant so that Charlotte can pursue a husband - something he and her Uncle have decided she must do. The thing is, even though he's excellent at the job, Edward is not quite what he seems.

It's not easy for Charlotte to go out in society, as she's never learned social graces. Thankfully she is befriended by another girl who helps her through.  In the process, she learns some valuable lessons and in turn touches the hearts of those she becomes close to - like a flower in bloom.

I struggled with reading this, as the eclectic nature of Charlotte and her father became somewhat frustrating. But by the same token I think this would be an excellent movie because their eccentric habits would be easier to watch and not have to be explained. And with the subject of botany, there is an opening for beautiful photography. There was subtle humor throughout the book that would be much more effective acted out.

In some ways I resonated deeply with the main character in this book. When I was younger I very much wanted to be a botanist. From the age of 10 I got books out of the library on biology and botany every summer and poured over them, nearly memorizing them. I was given a microscope for Christmas when I was 11. When I finally got to biology class in 10th grade, I was ecstatic. My first test for that class I got a 95 - for which I was singled out by the teacher and accused of cheating as everyone else had failed it. My deepest hurt. As time went on, he continually singled me out and ridiculed me in front of the class, and as a result I gave up on my greatest love as far as school went. I did continue to take books out from the library on weeds and wildflowers and had a sketchbook. After reading this book I think perhaps one of the reasons my teacher treated me so is that I was female, and a great love of the subject was not typical of girls, so he doubted that I could have done so well without cheating. But he never bothered to talk to me. It did change the direction of my life, left deep scars and I gradually wandered away from it down other paths. God had other plans for me. So I'm glad that Charlotte was able to continue to be a botanist and stay true to herself.

In reading the Author's notes at the end I also felt a deep connection with her. I almost enjoyed them more than the book. By her description, I too am an introvert.  I can be an extrovert for awhile, and am too self  aware. I prefer deep conversations with those I get close to as opposed to small talk. I have always felt that if I just try hard enough I'll be able to be like everyone else and often question/doubt my worth. I'm glad that Siri Mitchell has decided to write and offer her stories as she has a talent to be envied. In her I feel a kindred spirit and feel better that she shared that part of herself. It's nice to know someone of her recognition and success shares something with me. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the 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”.

My reviews:
Amazon
Goodreads
BooksAMillion
LibraryThing
Shelfari
BookFun
Pinterest
Twitter

Beyond All Dreams by Elizabeth Camden

Ok, reading the description of this book they had me at Library. In the early 1800's the main character Anna works at the Library of Congress as a map librarian. How cool is that? I love the way the author put it - the books there contain wisdom of the ages. Awesome.  She's a strong, knowledgeable female character. Her father was a navy scientist who mapped the floor of the ocean and was lost at sea. While at work Anna is able to do some research and found there was an error in the old naval report. Which is not a well received message for the navy.

Luke is a popular Congressman with some serious family issues, but he's in Washington to serve his state and do some good. Anna gets his attention when she talks back to him, but then he realizes she could be useful. Politics is the name of the game, and he needs all the help he can get in a struggle with the Speaker of the House.

This book is very well written. Since Elizabeth Camden is a research librarian herself, she puts a lot of interesting detail into the book. There's a lot of depth to the characters and you get to know all their issues, which make them all the more endearing.  A sweet romance evolves, and there's an element of danger and secrecy that makes this one you don't want to put down until you know everything. But then you don't want to leave the characters when the story ends! 

From the publisher's description of the book: "From the gilded halls of the Capitol where powerful men shape the future of the nation, to the scholarly archives of the nation's finest library, Anna and Luke are soon embroiled in secrets much bigger and more perilous than they ever imagined. Is bringing the truth to light worth risking all they've ever dreamed for their futures?"

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the 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”.

My reviews:
Goodreads
BooksAMillion
Amazon
LibraryThing
Shelfari
GooglePlus
Twitter
Pinterest
BookFun 
ChristianBook

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”.

My reviews:
Goodreads
Christianbooks
Amazon
LibraryThing
Shelfari
BookFun
Pinterest
Twitter
GooglePlus

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.”

My reviews:
Goodreads
BooksAMillion
Shelfari
LibraryThing
BookFun
ChristianBooks
Amazon 
Pinterest
Twitter
GooglePlus