A Reluctant Bride by Jody Hedlund

Deeply satisfying. This girl knows how to write a story, and how to end it, with a promise for more, and you can't wait. Based on historical facts. Mercy was from the poorest of the poor, living in the slums of London. But she had been raised with love and caring, mostly by her sister - who was in a Workhouse and near to death. She made Mercy promise to go on a ship to British Columbia for a new start. A ray of hope for the hopeless. Reluctantly, Mercy went, not realizing that it was a Bride Ship. She accepted the role that she had lived as due her station, felt she was the bottom of the bottom of society. She reached out to help all around her in any way that she could, primarily nursing the sick. She became deeply attached to each in her care, showing kindness and love. Joseph is a member of Society, but chose to be a ship's surgeon. He learns a lot about himself and how he and his peers treat the poor. Mercy proves to be a perfect nurse, and they spend time together as they travel. Each learns they have prejudices, and work through the assumptions of those who surround them on the ship. The author must have done a lot of research to know what it was like to live in a ship at that time, because you can easily picture everything. A story where you become attached to the characters - need a two five-star rating to give it justice. Eagerly awaiting the next in the series!

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 King's Mercy by Lori Benton

Deep.
1747. Alex fought for Prince Charles Edward Stuart in his Jacobite Army. When they were defeated, he was taken prisoner by the English. A tall, handsome Scottish warrior and a born leader with a big heart. This story is SO skillfully told. A fairly long read, thoroughly told from Scotland to England to a Carolina plantation to Virginia. One of those books you fall into and fall in love with. The backstory slowly unfolds while you're fully absorbed with the relationships, especially between Alex and Joanna the daughter of the plantation owner. Alex was released from prison by the Kings Mercy as an indentured servant. The plantation is run with slavery. These topics are as thoroughly felt out as the main plot(s).  Add in some of the Cherokee American Indian way of life. Wonderful story, wonderfully told with biblical situations that could be taken from the Apostle Paul's writings. A fabulous journey as you get lost in this story. Thoroughly enjoyable to the very end.

". . .go in confidence. As you go, pray. Listen. He’ll guide you— deliver you, need be. Shut every door you aren’t meant to pass through. He’s practical, our God. But you’ll never know what good may come if you don’t take the first step of faith.”

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 Pink Bonnet by Liz Tolsma

Step into True Colors -- a new series of Historical Stories of Romance and American Crime

Very well told story of the kidnapping of a young child and an illegal adoption ring 1933 Memphis. Most incredible is that it's an illustration based on true happenings. This is the story of one young mother and her search for her daughter throughout the intense corruption of the city. Widowed in Depression era Memphis during 1932 and no family to help her, Cecile Dowd is having a difficult providing for her three-year-old daughter and herself. Since she is a single mother, what she has is precious, what she doesn't have is too far away from her reach. Trusting a neighbor while she is looking for work and food turns out to be a mistake. She returns to find her daughter has been taken. An organization called Memphis Tennessee Children’s Home Society is at the root of over 5,000 kidnappings from 1924-1950, with deep roots in the city government. Some who adopted were celebrities. Cecile is able to get help from a young lawyer, but nothing is easy. Riveting. Heart wrenching. Grief and love on both sides of these adoptions.  Liz Tolsma never fails!

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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You can get a free extended preview of this book here.

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Verity by Lisa T. Bergren

"Everything was about to change."

I love the girls in this series! Talk about strong women. 1775 West Indies and America.  Verity decides to go out on her own and start her own business. She's family oriented, so of course it ties into the family business.  At one point Verity says for herself and her sisters, "No one, either Tory or Loyalist, male or female, shall see my vulnerabilities, she decided. I will be strong."  I can identify.

This takes place at the beginning of the Revolutionary War, and they are still fighting slavery on the Island. This is one of those books where you become deeply entranced and involved.  And hold your breath a lot. Many dangerous and heartfelt situations. Good Christian message. I find this a particularly interesting time in history of the United States, probably because I had relatives who were in the thick of it. So well written, I believe in these characters, their abilities and where their hearts are. Excellent tale - can't wait for the continuation!

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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Lord Of Her Heart by Sherrinda Ketchersid

Medieval Historical Romance with some Christian areas. Yes, medieval, complete with swordplay, jousting - and a squire. Who was Jocelyn in disguise, as she ran away from the Nuns to get back to her father and their castle before they could marry her off. Lots of danger and deception, but Malcolm is a handsome cavalier who is out to win the competition for the castle and the land. Well, you can see it's slightly complicated. But it holds your interest right to the end. With a nice Epilogue so that it doesn't wrap up too quickly.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. 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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Book Brush Review

This is a great tool for making memes for your book reviews (or ads for them if you are an author). It gives those who do not own Photoshop the chance to create 3D composites, with a large range of background images and a good group of options to display the book. It's easy to use. There are quite a few different size options to fit specific social media requirements, as well as a custom option. I especially like the video option - it gives it that little extra. There's a free version or you can upgrade for more options. Pretty impressive!

“Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255:  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”):  Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing the product/product information. Opinions are 100% my own and not influenced by monetary compensation.  I received a sample of the product from BookBrush in exchange for this review and post.
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Whose Waves These Are by Amanda Dykes

"So many stories. In this pocket of a harbor where broken lives, like waves upon the shore, are gathered up and held close."

Set in Maine starting before WW2, on the coast, in the uppermost corner, near Canada. A rugged, weather worn area of strong people. This is a story that grabs you right in the first few lines, and gives you a perfect image and feeling of what is to follow. Layer upon layer of beautiful life, heartbreak and again beauty. Such depth of feeling. Weaving through time - back and forth together. Perfectly woven. A story so richly told that you can almost see God's hand around them. Christian Historical.

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.”
#WhoseWavesTheseAre #AmandaDykes #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #NetGalley

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