The Promise Bride by Gina Welborn, Becca Whitham

Murder. Mystery. Satisfaction.

It will make you lose sleep. If you’re like me and read at bedtime, the problem is that you won’t want to stop reading. I was engaged with the lead character Emilia right away, and thoroughly invested in the story shortly thereafter. Emilia lives in Chicago with her brother, little sister and father in terrible conditions. She is a planner – one of the best – and finds a way for them to get out of the tenements by becoming a mail order bride to Finn who is in Montana. They have carefully laid plans but other people put a severe twist in their plans. Emilia’s father accelerates their wedding plans with a marriage by proxy. Therefore Emilia is married when she, her brother and sister go to Montana ahead of schedule, but when she arrives the sheriff tells her to go back home – Finn was dead. They can’t really go back, so she decides to settle her husband’s debts and stay on the farm. The sheriff is against it, figuring that Finn’s killer might come back. But he has no idea how twisted and turned things are going to get as those involved with Finn's murder will blacken his name and pull Emilia in. This is one I can highly recommend, a very well told Christian Historical with lessons of faith.

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

Description From The Publisher
In a booming frontier town, a heavenly match may be in store for mail-order brides seeking a fresh start . . . women of strength and spirit who embrace the challenges of life and love in the wild Montana Territory.

Determined to save her father and siblings from a crumbling Chicago tenement, Emilia Stanek becomes the long-distance bride of a Montana rancher. But when she arrives in Helena, a rugged lawman shatters her plans with the news that her husband is dead—and deeply in debt.

County sheriff Mac McCall can’t afford to be distracted by the pretty young widow, not with scandalous secrets emerging as he investigates his friend’s suspicious death. Mac’s gruff order that she leave town at once only spurs Emilia’s resolve to take ownership of her late husband’s ranch and face his debtors. But as her defenses soften, Emilia begins to accept Mac’s help, feel compassion for his own wounded heart—and learns that trust means taking a leap of faith . . .

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An Inconvenient Beauty by Kristi Ann Hunter

What a beautiful romance! So creative in how it’s written. I love the way the characters think. The character Griffith is a Duke and carefully reasons everything out, sometimes with the help of his friend and brother-in-law who is equal to the task. He is pressured to get married and through his reasoning chooses one of the social debutantes who is not in the limelight, yet is on the fringe. Not the most beautiful, but socially prominent and acceptable. However, there are a few things he didn’t know when he was making his decision – like the fact that the girl was in love with someone else and she was using her cousin as a shield from him. And that her father was using her cousin as bait for his own political agenda - the cousin who is uncommonly beautiful and completely in the limelight. The story is very well woven, has good depth and held my interest through every line.

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.”

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Where We Belong by Lynn Austin

Beautifully different! 
Anchored in historical fact, this is the story of two sisters in the mid to late 1800s who are strong, intelligent and independent. Their mother died so they are raised by their father who is intelligent, no-frill and has built a fortune through good investments. The two girls are easily bored in school and set out on adventures that include travel to Europe – itineraries their father lets them plan themselves.  Throughout they are completely grounded in Christianity and the desire to follow God’s plan for their lives.

Their adventures start at home in Chicago and become widespread including Egypt and the holy land. It’s a pleasure to learn more about the sisters and what they will do next, unselfishly sharing their wealth and caring for others as well as unearthing archeological treasures. The sisters made a significant contribution to the world with these discoveries. They get into some dangerous situations, but their strong faith sees them through each one. Nothing boring here!

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.” http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html.

From the Publisher:
The Adventure of a Lifetime for Two Indomitable Socialite Sisters 
In the city of Chicago in 1892, the rules for Victorian women are strict, their roles limited. But sisters Rebecca and Flora Hawes are not typical Victorian ladies. Their love of adventure and their desire to use their God-given talents has brought them to the Sinai Desert--and into a sandstorm.

Accompanied by Soren Petersen, their somber young butler, and Kate Rafferty, a street urchin who is learning to be their ladies' maid, the two women are on a quest to find an important biblical manuscript. As the journey becomes more dangerous and uncertain, the four travelers sift through memories of their past, recalling the events that shaped them and the circumstances that brought them to this time and place.

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The Miracle of Mysteria by Leonid Belov

The Black Plague could have destroyed the town . . .

What a wonderful story!

I was strongly moved. It’s such a special book that not only have I written this review, I’ve made it a point to tell everyone I talk to about it. It is a Christian biographical book inspired by true events in the village of Oberammergau, Bavaria, Germany (in the Swiss Alps, Rundschau, in the District of Rundschau, Canton of Schwarzwald.) at the time the black plague was taking out villages throughout Europe. The gentleman is 86 years old as he is recounting what happened when he was 20 years old - to him and his best friend, as well as their entire village. An event that changed all of their lives. The plague came closer and closer and soon it was inevitable that it would come to them. Rather than just sit and wait for it to come, their priest taught that it was best to praise the Lord through all things good and bad, and had the idea to reenact Passion of Christ. 

There are still reenactments every 10 years, with the next being held in 2020. You can find more information here http://www.passionplaytours.com/  and if you Google it. Also behind the story information here: https://www.themiracleofmysteria.com/stories-behind-the-story/

I received a free copy of the book from Tower of Harmony in return for a review of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review, but am very pleased to leave the highest review. 

From the Publisher:

What can you do when no hope remains? No matter how much time is left, you can make your remaining moments count. In the year 1348, as the Plague approaches the community of Rundschau in the Swiss Alps, the villagers use their remaining time to stage the Passion of Christ. As their performance turns into prayer, the entire village becomes a temple. What happens when the whole community reaches out to God? The miracle of MYSTERIA—the sacramental and mysterious experience that takes place when people meet God. Heaven IS Listening…
The Miracle of Mysteria is inspired by the actual events that took place in the Bavarian village of Oberammergau. The Passion of Christ has been staged there every decade since 1634, when their village was miraculously spared from the bubonic plague. The next performance will take place in 2020.
The Miracle of Mysteria is translated from Russian by John Meredig, Ph.D. and edited by Thomas Womack, whom readers may know as the editor of the bestseller The Pursuit of Holiness by Jerry Bridges.
This remarkable Christian novel will appeal not only to Christians, but to everyone confronted with the inescapable question of how to live a meaningful and inspired life in the face of crushing problems, such as rumbling relationships, illness, old age, and yes, even plague!

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The Captive Brides Collection

9 Stories of Great Challenges Overcome Through Great Love

by Jennifer AlLee, Angela Breidenbach, Susan Page Davis, Darlene Franklin, Patty Smith Hall, Cynthia Hickey, Carrie Fancett Pagels, Lucy Thompson, Gina Welborn

I’m starting to like “collections”. It’s good to have a story end then go right into another – in this case eight more times, entirely different. This is excellent Christian Historical romance with so much creativity, beautifully told by very talented authors. And they’re not the sappy predictable only-about-the-romance bridal story. Each has great depth and a Christian lesson as well as a fabulous romance. The main theme with all of these is that the women are captives – in other words slaves. I think it’s good to be reminded that there have been slaves who came from and went to many countries. The stories here include the Irish and Scottish. Men and women were sold, drugged, beaten and kidnapped into slavery. Some called it indentured service, but then tacked on additional years for repayment of food, clothing, shelter and medical services; in some cases they were never free. It’s not like they didn’t want to work hard or in the case with a contract to pay back their fair debt; many were worked to death and treated poorly. Many times women were forced into brothels. Each of these stories is uplifting despite the circumstances of the women starting out and are great stories of endurance and hope – and a reminder that there is good in the world as well as bad.

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

Description from the Publisher:
Love Brings Freedom in 9 Historical Romances

Journey along as nine historical women are about to make their escape from some of life’s greatest challenges. Can their captive hearts be freed to dream, to dare, to love?

Love’s Labour’s Found by Jennifer AlLee - Montserrat, West Indies, 1655
Temperance Simms only wanted a better life. Instead, she finds herself labeled a criminal and sold as an indentured servant. After a kind man saves her life, can Temperance trust that God will turn her sorrow into something beautiful?

His Indentured Bride by Angela Breidenbach - Pennsylvania, 1770-1775
Leaving Scotland for a short indenture with her betrothed, Maire Greer’s contract is sold when disaster strikes her kindly owner, and then extended through cruel circumstances. Can Kirk Lachlan’s service in the American Revolution save her or will she lose love and freedom forever?

The Suspect Bride by Susan Page Davis - Oregon, 1890s
Verity Ames cooks at the restaurant where shy lawyer Jack Whitwell eats lunch daily. As Jack works up courage to ask her for a date, the sheriff walks into the restaurant and arrests her for murder.

His Golden Treasure by Darlene Franklin - Barbary Coast, San Francisco, CA, 1873
Goldie Hatfield grows up on in the Barbary Coast until her guardian demands she pay the cost of her upbringing—or work at her brothel. How far will Pastor Joshua Kerr go to set Goldie free?

Through Stormy Waters by Patty Smith Hall - Atlantic Ocean, 1755
Deported to the British colonies for her father’s crimes, Charlotte Singleton helps Captain Andrew Randell when an epidemic breaks out on the ship. Can two battered hearts find love in the midst of a storm?

Moira’s Quest by Cynthia Hickey - New York, 1869
A quest for revenge ends in a marriage of convenience and a feisty Irish lass discovers that not everything is as it seems as family secrets are revealed. An Irish cop, bent on saving the fallen women of Five Points, New York, finds himself thrust into the role of husband with a woman determined to break down a notorious crime boss. Can these two pull together and find a love bigger than they are?

Love’s Escape by Carrie Fancett Pagels - Virginia, 1850
With her life in peril, Lettie seeks escape from slavery. When Nathan offers to “conduct” her North via an unusual segment on the Underground Railroad, will his efforts help or do them both harm?

Waltzing Matilda by Lucy Thompson - Sydney, Australia, 1821
Henry didn’t plan on a runaway convict masquerading as a shepherd. Or on the woman’s baby. Keeping them safe will cost him his freedom—or will it?

A Score to Settle by Gina Welborn - On the Missouri River, 1870
For JoJo the kiss was a means to an end—she wanted his wallet. For Cyrus her kiss changed everything. He vows to help her escape the snake oil salesman she works for, but exposing the man’s lies may mean settling a score at a cost neither JoJo nor Cyrus can pay.

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These Healing Hills by Ann H. Gabhart

Isn't that a great cover? Christian Historical fiction based on the Frontier Nursing Service in the hills of Kentucky. Fran wanted to be a nurse and go overseas to serve, but her mother wouldn’t let her go. Then the boy she was going to marry when he got back from the war became engaged to a girl he met in England. After all, she was there and Fran was back home. Fran heard about the training in Kentucky and went to learn to be a nurse midwife and is taken with the beauty of the hills right away. She had heard about the “hillbillies” where she grew up in Cincinnati but quickly learned the truth about these people who were fiercely loyal to their mountains and families, and had great common sense and knowledge. The new school provided additional knowledge and the death rate went down but the “Grannies” had been the midwives and healers for years and had skills and talents of their own.

Ben had been away as a medic in the war. Just after Germany surrendered he was injured by a patient and sent home early. He had missed home greatly and was glad to get back, but things had changed and so had he. His father had passed while he was away and his little brother and sisters had grown – one even married and carrying a child. It will take a bit to learn what had gone on while he was away. And to decide what he would do now that he had returned, whether to stay and take care of his family or take advantage of the GI Bill and return to school.

I always love stories of people who “live off the land”. I appreciate having grocery stores and restaurants but miss the old times. When we were growing up we planted food crops and put them up, and had lots of berries to pick within a short walk of our small farm.  I used to go to the library and get books about the weeds and plants growing everywhere, their medicinal properties and how they had been used. We are finding that getting back to basics is healthier for us.  There is a lot to be admired about the “hillbilly ways”. This is a great story of old ways meeting the new, and the advantages to be found in both. And new relationships and the value in helping and learning from one another.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Author and Revell/Baker Publishing Group - 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.”

From the Publisher:
Francine Howard has her life all mapped out until the soldier she planned to marry at WWII's end writes to tell her he's in love with a woman in England. Devastated, Francine seeks a fresh start in the Appalachian Mountains, training to be a nurse midwife for the Frontier Nursing Service.

Deeply affected by the horrors he witnessed at war, Ben Locke has never thought further ahead than making it home to Kentucky. His future shrouded in as much mist as his beloved mountains, he's at a loss when it comes to envisioning what's next for his life.

When Francine's and Ben's paths intersect, it's immediately clear that they are from different worlds and value different things. But love has a way of healing old wounds . . . and revealing tantalizing new possibilities.


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