Engraved on the Heart by Tara Johnson

"Be discreet. Wise as serpents , harmless as doves. . ."
1861 in Savanna, Georgia. A young girl of society who has epilepsy struggles with the shame that her family puts on her because of her illness. She's very restricted. She has a fit at a dance just seconds before it's announced that the Civil War had begun. Kizzie loves the slaves in their household, so abolitionism is not a bad idea for her, and she looks for ways to be involved in the Underground Railroad. She's good at it, until her cousin comes to stay with them. Micah has loved Kizzie for years but has secrets that keep him from telling her.  He is a doctor who becomes involved with taking care of Union soldiers. Thus unfolds a very well told, interesting account of people who lived at that time, and their reasons for choosing the sides they chose. Good Christian guidance. Easy to get lost in.

"I wrestled with the Almighty through most of it, but there’s great peace in surrender.”

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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Across A Broken Shore

Plunge the heights and the depths.
This is set at the time when the Golden Gate bridge was being built, and in the depression. Willa is an Irish Catholic girl. Something I know a little bit about. Most of us girls in parochial school loved the nuns who were our teachers, and we even thought of becoming one. Willa had made a promise to enter the convent, but she found her real calling when her brother cut his fingers off and she took him to a doctor - a woman doctor. Years back she had found a medical book and secretly memorized it. So in helping the doctor with her brothers hand, the doctor began to see the promise and skill in Willa. She returned and worked with the him in secret, all while the deadline for her to go the the Convent loomed. In this time she also met Sam, another changing influence on her life. Told with passion for her calling, deep pain in events in her life and glimpses of happiness from doing what God created her to do. Very real all the way through. I was on the edge of my seat wondering what would happen. Excellent read. Great cover!

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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Sew In Love

4 Historical Stories
by Debby Lee; Jacquolyn McMurray; Darlene Panzera; Kimberley Woodhouse

"This was supposed to be the land of the free and the home of the brave. A place where all men were equal. If only that were true for women. And women who were Irish."

Unconnected stories sewn together of people from 1850 to 1911 to 1945.
A girl sailing to Sacramento to meet her fiance during the gold rush, a girl in Alaska who meets a soldier in the hospital, a girl in New York City who survives a fire and a union worker, and an Irish girl who meets a baseball player. They all sew, and its a strength in their lives. Interesting stories to get completely lost in. Very well written, with great depth. All so completely different. Love that cover.

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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Cameo Courtships

4 Stories of Women Whose Lives Are Touched by a Legendary Gift
by Susanne Dietze, Debra E Marvin, Jennifer Uhlarik, Kathleen Y'Barbo

“I know the cameo did not bring me love, of course. But the gift of it coincided with the arrival of love, both for the queen and for me, and I hope it will bring the same to you.”

From 1851 to 1898 stories of a loving family that weave together smooth as silk. Tied together by a cameo given to just the right woman at just then right time. Diverse stories, all very interesting and spellbinding in their own way. With Christian lessons throughout. Wonderfully written. Great entertainment to get lost in. One of those really good books to curl up with, that doesn't go by too fast and each folds into the next even though they are all so different.

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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Aiming For Love by Mary Connealy

"Had her life, lived so alone, made her the purest form of herself? "
1873 Colorado. Oh I like this girl. I was totally captivated in the first few sentences. I want to be her, wish I had her skills. I've always loved the woods and have been interested in living off the land, but these sisters take it seriously. Taught by their Grandparents, who have passed away. Their Grandmother making them afraid of people. But Jo is a curious girl, which is what gets the story going. The Wardens come under attack and have to run from their ranch. They think that the girl's need their help, but find it's the other way around.
My only complaint is that the book ends before the story is over far enough, so it becomes a cliff hanger.
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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A Song Of Joy by Lauraine Snelling

"In His time, God will make it clear to you. Thank Him in advance for His answers.”
1911 What a joy to be back in Blackduck, Minnesota, with these special people again. We say this was a simpler time, but there was so much work in day to day things. Like using the telephone. We all have one on us these days. Back then, not all houses had one. You had to go into town to use one. People communicated by mail. Now I bet some do not even know what its like to receive a letter. Written in cursive.
A family of Norwegian immigrants, in a town made up of mostly that nationality. There is the farm where this family resides and grows, and they bring over family from Norway a little at a time. Hardworking, skilled people. And a wealthy widow in a nearby town who took in one of the girls to train and groom her as an assistant. I love how Lauraine brings in people from different generations, you learn about them, their likes and skills. It's fun to see potential and watch the young kids grow. Enriching to read. This is a year in the life of the lovely immigrant girl, Nilda, from Norway and how she settles in and learns from this wonderful woman, who has much to offer in loving kindness as well as money and prestige. This level of society and family money are not without responsibility or family struggle for control. Nilda is still shaking off the death of the man who harmed her in the previous book. God has a plan for her, which unfolds gracefully through the pages. A book that makes you feel warm all over inside - as Lauraine is so skilled at doing.

Quote
“You all work hard.” “That’s what it takes to survive out here. And we want to do more than survive.”

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 Orphan Daughter by Sheila Riley

"Using the only weapon in her armory, she attacked with her tongue as a form of defense."
1947 England. An agonizing story of a family and their neighbors in post war poverty, fighting to live in the ruins and through rationing. Evie is trying her best to better herself, earn a higher wage and bring her brother and sister home from Ireland where they had been evacuated to a relatives house. Her mother was pretty rough around the edges and took up with questionable men after her father had been killed in the War. There's an undercurrent of crime in the area loosely tied to the black market. Every one of the people in this community are tough, survivors. There are some interesting twists and mysteries, and you can't help but want the best for these people. Lots of depth and a storyline that keeps you involved to the last page, wondering about a sequel. 

Quotes

"The war years had given them a determination to get on with life, tomorrow could take care of itself."

"Optimism. Anticipation. Love. And most of all that inner strength that made anything, and everything, seem possible."

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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