Tag: clean

The Promise Bride (Montana Brides #1) – Review

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promisebride.jpgWritten by Gina Welborn and Becca Whitham

  • Print Length: 352 pages
  • Publisher: Zebra (August 29, 2017)
  • Publication Date: August 29, 2017
  • Sold by: Penguin Random House Publisher Services
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B01N6D2X7L

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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 . . .

Emilia becomes a mail order bride in order to save her family from living in the dregs of Chicago. She feels lucky that she has fallen in love with her groom, Finn, through letters and she agrees to marry him by proxy. However, when she arrives in Montana she is told he has been killed.

Sheriff McCall just lost his best friend and is looking for the murderer but now he must make sure that stubborn Emilia and her family are protected while also trying to protect his heart.

-A main focus of the story was Emilia’s struggle with the belief that if someone gives you something or helps you, they want something in return.

This was my favorite quote regarding that:

“You haven’t lived today until you’ve done something for someone who can never repay you.”

-This idea becomes a major problem for Mac and Emilia because Mac is always trying to rescue people and fix problems and Emilia doesn’t want to be indebted to anyone.

-Another main idea in the story is the idea of trusting people even when it is hard.

“Perhaps that was the highest level of trust, when you gave it because of who was asking, not because of what was asked.”

-Hypocrites have always bothered me and not only are the women in town gossiping, but they are doing it in the church building on the Lord’s day.

-One of the take-aways from this story is that you can be strong and independent and still accept help from others. Sometimes you have to be Lazarus and let your friends carry you.

-The epilogue so makes me want to know what happens next! I hate that there are still so many questions but I look forward to a sequel.

-This was a clean, interesting story that is a mix between romance and mystery. I would recommend it. I received an ARC but the opinions expressed here are 100% my own.fff

Summer Holiday (Timeless Victorian Collection) – Review

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summerholiday.jpgWritten by Nancy Campbell Allen, Sarah M. Eden, and Annette Lyon

  • File Size: 2235 KB
  • Print Length: 225 pages
  • Publisher: Mirror Press (August 1, 2017)
  • Publication Date: August 1, 2017
  • Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
  • ASIN: B072F3L1L3

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From the publisher of the USA TODAY bestselling Timeless Romance Anthology series, comes our brand new Victorian Romance line, with SUMMER HOLIDAY.

Three brand new Victorian Romance novellas by Nancy Campbell Allen, Sarah M. Eden, and Annette Lyon.

BREAKFAST AT SOMMERPOOL’S by Nancy Campbell Allen:
As Tessa Baker competes for the supervisor promotion at Sommerpool Department and Mercantile, she’s faced with a ridiculous list of tasks to complete in order to “win” the job. Tessa would love to be the first female supervisor ever to work at the Sommerpool, but her competitor is cheating at every turn. Discouraged, Tessa agrees to let David Bellini, a family friend and Italian Conte who is new in town, help her. When she discovers that he’s the new owner of Sommerpool’s, but wants to evaluate the employees unobserved, Tessa has mixed feelings. She soon realizes that she’s falling for David, but what chance does a working-class woman like her have with an Italian Conte?

HOWEVER LONG THE WAIT by Sarah M. Eden:
Carina Herrick says goodbye to the man she hopes to marry, knowing their separation will be temporary. Grant Ambrose is off to follow his dream and become established in business so that he can provide for Carina and a life together. He promises to write; she promises to return his letters. Yet, only a few months pass and already their letters become shorter and fewer. Finally, Carina is forced to give up on Grant if only to protect her breaking heart. Her parents are dead set against her becoming a spinster and insist she accept the proposal of the odious Mr. Baskon. With no hope of another marriage proposal, Carina is forced to make a difficult decision, one that can lead her either to happiness or misery.

THE LAST SUMMER AT IVY HOUSE by Annette Lyon:
Every summer Sarah travels to Ivy House in London as one of the household servants to the Millington family. This summer, she’s particularly looking forward to seeing Jacob, a servant who lives at Ivy House year-round. They’ve been exchanging letters since the previous summer when their friendship deepened. But when Sarah arrives at Ivy House, Jacob seems more reserved around her and less forthcoming. Has she put greater meaning in their budding relationship than she should? When Sarah discovers that Jacob has a dark secret and wants her to give up her dreams in exchange for helping him, she’s not sure if she’s willing to make the sacrifice.

I enjoyed reading the Summer Holiday Timeless Victorian Collection. I have read a number of Timeless Collections and this one fits in well with them.

My favorite story was the second one, However Long The Wait, by Sarah M. Eden which was not a surprise since she is one of my favorite authors. I liked the characters and their connection to each other as well as the storyline. I also liked how realistic it was that they each viewed what had transpired over the last five years differently and instead of confronting each other about it, they just ignored it and moved on.

The theme that stood out in all three stories in the collection was misunderstandings. Misunderstandings can cause people to lose the ones they love and they can ruin your life. In two of the stories, an outsider actually steps in and clears up the misunderstandings between the couples.

I rated this collections 4.5/5 stars and would recommend it.

The Second Chance Brides Collection: Nine Historical Romances Offer New Hope for Love – Review

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bridebook.jpgWritten by Lauralee Bliss, Angela Breidenbach, Ramona K. Cecil, Pamela Griffin, Grace Hitchcock, Pam Hillman, Laura V. Hilton, Tiffany Amber Stockton, Liz Tolsma

  • Paperback: 448 pages
  • Publisher: Barbour Books (August 1, 2017)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1683222466
  • ISBN-13: 978-1683222460

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Meet nine women who each believe their chance for lifelong love has passed them by. From the girls who lost their beaus to war, to the wallflowers overshadowed by others, and the widows deeply hurt by their loss, the desire to love and be loved spans American history from 1777 to 1944. Experience the sweet pull of romance on each life and the blossom of faith that leads them to brighter futures.

Love in the Crossfire by Lauralee Bliss

Gretchen is engaged to Rolf, a Loyalist sympathizer who dies fighting in the war. Yet, she struggles with what side of the war she believes in. On the same day that Gretchen finds out her fiancé has died, she meets Jake Rowlings, a man with the Continentals hiding out in her barn trying to stay warm.

-Gretchen kissing and falling in love with Jake so soon after her fiancé died seems wrong.

-I found Jake entirely too full of himself. He seemed to think he single handedly would win the war.

-A lot of the book seemed very unrealistic and there was too much focus on the war instead of developing real relationships between the characters

Fanned Embers by Angela Breidenbach

Montenegrin Lukas Filips has left his homeland and his title for the opportunities in America. He takes a job working as a mining foreman to earn enough money to support his mother and sister back home.

Juliana’s husband was killed by a Montenegrin and now she lives as a widow baker to earn money. She dreams of one day earning enough money to open her own bakery.

-This was an interesting story that had action as well as romance. It was very well developed, especially for a novella.

-I would love a continuation of this story. I would be interested in their story as well as hearing more about Lukas’ mother and sister.

Daughter of Orion by Ramona K. Cecil

Widow Matilda must make money to cover the debt her Captain father and seafaring husband have left her after they died, so she poses as a cabin boy where she meets Tom a harpooner.

Matilda has vowed to never again give her heart to a seaman. Tom is hiding the fact that he is the reason for the death of Matilda’s father and husband. Will their pasts keep them apart?

-There are a lot of disgusting things that happen in whaling but I thought the author did a good job with the way she wrote about it.

-I love that Matilda was so committed to bringing Tom’s heart to God.

The Substitute Husband and the Unexpected Bride by Pamela Griffin

Cecily plans to enter a marriage of convenience with Zeke, a boy she knew of from her hometown in Massachusetts. After her long journey to Seattle, she learns that Zeke has died.

Due to the guilt that Garrett feels for the part he played in Zeke’s death, he offers marriage to Cecily.

Cecily thinks that Garrett would be happier married to the widow Brown who looks perfect to Cecily but makes rude comments. Garrett believes Cecily doesn’t return his feelings, so he hides himself away. Will their misunderstandings ruin any chance of a happy marriage?

-I like the characters, but I wish there were more interactions between Paul and Gwen. Paul and Gwen seemed to lack some personality.

-The widow Brown’s mention of how in love Garrett and his first wife, Linda, were was the perfect way to unnerve Cecily.

The Widow of St. Charles Avenue by Grace Hitchcock

On the day Colette starts to come out of mourning her late husband, Robert, she runs into Norman Hartley the former boy next door who had moved to New York when he was twenty.

Robert had forbid Colette of doing charity work but after his death she decides to teach Bible class. She meets the pastor’s con, Malcolm Reilly, who wants her to help teach a boy’s Bible class.

One man believes in her dream of building a school for the orphan boys but one doesn’t. Will she make the right decision?

-I’m curious as to how the boys who got to attend the school were chosen. It is obviously a huge benefit to live at the school instead of the orphanage.

-The story of the ink ribbon was cute.

-This novella had things that were predictable but I enjoyed the story.

The Prickly Pear Bride by Pam Hillman

Evelyn is the topic of town gossip when she leaves Ollie at the altar because she knows he is in love with another woman.

Cole is new to town and looking to build a cattle ranch when he is called upon to help Evelyn with shepherding.

-I liked the scene at the beginning of the book with how Evelyn and Cole met.

-Ollie and Angie never should have allowed Evelyn to take the blame for backing out of the wedding.

-I don’t really understand why Evelyn is described as prickly.

-I enjoyed this novella but it seemed to end abruptly.

Married by Mistake by Laura V. Hilton

Thomas Hale has been hiding out after a girl he formally courted ruined his reputation by lying and telling everyone he was a spy and had an improper relationship with a maid. He lives in seclusion until he meets Bessie O’Hara. Archie notices his best friend’s interest in Bessie so he arranges a “pretend” wedding for an advertising campaign that turns out to be real.

-The courting period and falling in love after the wedding was rushed and skipped over.

-Since they were already married, I understand Thomas and Bessie respecting their parents but getting their permission didn’t make sense to me.

-Even after the marriage, Bessie seems to think she would have been happy with any random husband she had handed to her.

-I enjoyed the plot and the beginning of the story but didn’t like it as well at the rushed parts.

Love in Disguise by Amber Stockton

Anna St. Claire leaves her life in New York to move to Breckenridge, Colorado in order to escape living in her sister’s shadow.

Trevor leaves his business life in New York and moves to Colorado to live as a cowboy.

Anna had feelings for Trevor in the past but he never noticed her, so when he meets her in Colorado, Anna hides who she really is from him.

As a highly eligible bachelor, Trevor is overcome by numerous women he has no interest in. Anna agrees to pretend to be courting him in order to fend off the other women.

-I found it unusual that Trevor would ask someone he thought was a stranger to fake a courtship with him as soon as he meets her.

-Anna having her picture in the paper and the description written about her also seemed odd.

-I have lots of questions about their future and wonder how their relationship issues would have been resolved without the fire happening.

What the Heart Sees by Liz Tolsma

Miriam Bradford spent a summer with her mother in Germany where she met and courted Paul Albrecht. Five years later they meet again when Paul is a German POW in Miriam’s American hometown.

-Miriam convincing Paul to break the rules and leave the camp was wrong. She seemed to do it because she was bored and wanted to have an adventure.

-I really like that the preacher is holding services for the POWs and is really concerned with their spiritual health regardless of the town’s opinion on the matter.

-The author makes good use of the passage of time to advance the story along.

-A lot of times I like reading more lighthearted novels and this wasn’t one. However, I really enjoyed it. It was interesting and made you think.

-I haven’t read a lot of stories from this time period and am not a fan of war stories but this was really well done.

This was a good selection of novellas and I would rate it a 4/5 stars. I received an ARC but the opinions expressed here are 100% my own.

Of Rags and Riches Romance Collection: Nine Stories of Poverty and Opulence During the Gilded Age – Review

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ragscover.jpgWritten by Michelle Griep, Susanne Dietze, Anne Love, Gabrielle Meyer, Natalie Monk, Jennifer Uhlarik, Erica Vetsch, Jaime Jo Wright, and Kathleen Y’Barbo

  • Paperback: 448 pages
  • Publisher: Barbour Books (July 1, 2017)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1683222636
  • ISBN-13: 978-1683222637

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Love Flourishes during America’s Gilded Age

Journey along in nine historical romances with those whose lives are transformed by the opulence, growth, and great changes taking place in America’s Gilded Age. Nine couples meet during these exhilarating times and work to build a future together through fighting for social reform, celebrating new opportunities for leisure activities, taking advantage of economic growth and new inventions, and more. Watch as these romances develop and legacies of faith and love are formed.

Union Pacific Princess by Jennifer Uhlarik

Young Dora, her uncle William and her cousin Becca, leave Boston to join Dora’s father at the railroad camp where he works after four years apart.

Gage is at the railroad camp trying to stay under the radar to gather information that will help his Indian friends.

When dynamite goes off, Gage injures himself protecting Dora and Becca and exposes himself to Dora’s father, the very person Gage was hiding from.

-A lot of times I feel like novellas leave me feeling like there is a lot missing or it ends abruptly. This one didn’t. It was fast passed but didn’t feel rushed and I liked how the author used the passing of time to move the story along.

-I like how the characters aren’t perfect, like when Gage realized he was still learning when he compared the treatment of his Indian friends with that of the slaves.

-This was one of my favorite novellas in the collection.

The Right Pitch by Susanne Dietze

Winnie loves playing baseball but fears that this will be her last time playing a charity game with the Liberty Belles before she has to give it up to marry.

Beck had his heart broken when he was younger and is afraid to risk it again.
Will risk or precaution win out?

-This was a cute story. There was a lot of baseball in it and if you don’t like baseball, you might not enjoy it was much.

A Gift in Secret by Kathleen Y’Barbo

Thomas Bolen dies, leaving a will that will change the life of this daughter as well as the Austin family that was wronged. Without revealing the stipulations of the will, Samuel Austin III must decide to keep Bolen Shipping and leave May Bolen penniless or marry her.

-I enjoyed this story but I think it would have served the plot better if it had been a longer novel. Not enough time passed for the characters to develop a real connection for each other.

-There were also things that felt unresolved like where they would live since May loves New York so much and Sam was at home on a boat. It would be a shame if he had to give that up completely.

For Richer or Poorer by Natalie Monk

Polish maid Ella is pretending to be of a higher class when dray driver Woody literally runs into her. Ella tries to hide her growing feelings for Woody due to her need to marry a wealthy man in order to bring her sickly family to America. Meanwhile, Woody is trying to establish an orphanage and hide from his past.

-The orphan storyline is something that is near and dear to my heart and I loved reading about them and their little personalities.

-I also liked when Woody translated for Ella while hiding at the church.

-Some of the scriptures quoted in the book were favorites of mine.

-I thought the ending was a little too neat but I still enjoyed the book and this was another favorite in the collection.

A House of Secrets by Michelle Griep

Amanda is determined to open a school for the poor to impress her father and the Ladies’ Aide Society. Her fiancé, Joseph, has plans of his own for the “haunted” house Amanda wants. Will keeping secrets tear Joseph and Amanda apart?

-I like books that have a mystery to them, although the readers were privy to the majority of the mysteries in this story.

-I also liked the message of waiting on those you trust and love, especially God.

Win, Place, or Show by Erica Vetsch

Beryl just wants to spend the summer taking riding lessons with her beloved horse Lacey and competing in the show at the Deep Haven Hunt Club. However, her parents have different plans for her that include marrying her off to Lord Springfield and selling Lacey.

Major Gard Kennedy is spending the summer teaching riding lessons and saving every penny so he can buy Arcturus as the perfect foundation Sire for his new stud farm.

When Gard falls for Beryl, will he risked everything he has worked so hard for?

-There was a lot in this story that was very predictable but I still liked it.

-The vast majority of the book focused on horses. Since I like horses, this was a positive for me but I think even those who don’t like horses as much as I do will enjoy it.

-Beryl’s parents both annoyed me. They were equally clueless as to their daughter’s obvious feelings and they had the wrong priorities. It was disappointing that Beryl even seemed to laugh about their priorities at the end. Stringing Lord Springfield along until after the business deal closed also felt wrong.

The Fisherman’s Nymph by Jaime Jo Wright

“Maybe you’re not the only one who is pushing through sorrow. Some, like you, turn to bitterness- And some make their penance by blaming themselves.”

Charles Farrington III hides his pain under the façade of a carefree, charming rouge. Abby never grieved properly after her mother’s death and she still blames other people for it. Can two grief-stricken souls help each other find peace?

Abby and her father host fishing retreats for the rich that Abby so despises and Charles and his friend Jonathan are their clients. Through Abby’s forced time with Charles, she must finally face her past.

-This book had a lot of descriptions and details about fishing which I am not a fan of, so this was a negative for me.

-This story also had a darker tone to it and I usually like to read books that are lighter and make me feel uplifted.

-And except for their shared grief and their “spark”, I didn’t see Abby and Charles as a potential couple.

-This wasn’t a bad story, it just wasn’t for me.

The Gardener’s Daughter by Anne Love

Magdalena “Maggie” Abbott loves to read and learn and she has a power with words. She spends her days working at the library and hiding the truth of her circumstances with others.

Wesley Graham was raised by his wealthy uncle and is expected to meet certain family expectations.

While spending the summer in their wealthy cottage home, Wesley meets Maggie at the nearby library and they begin an academic project together. Will Maggie’s secrets and Graham’s family obligations keep them apart?

-The pace seemed a little strange in this book. Some parts were drawn out and other parts seemed to move too quickly.

-My favorite part of the book was when they were working together at the library.

-I found it strange that Maggie thought she would hurt her father’s pride if she liked a wealthy man.

A Tale of Two Hearts by Gabrielle Meyer

After the death of Lucy Taylor’s father, she has to take on a job as a lady’s maid so she can help care for her family, especially her injured sister.

Eli Boyer dreams of racing and manufacturing cars one day and leaving his life as a footman behind. However, when he meets Lucy, he is coming to realize that his previous dreams may no longer be enough.

-As a fan of auto racing, I enjoyed reading about the early days of racing.

-I felt like I wanted to know more about Mr. Alexander and Mr. Walker’s past with Mrs. Walker that was briefly mentioned in the book.

I received an ARC but the opinions expressed here are 100% my own.

This collection of novellas had a number of great stories. I rated it a 4/5 overall and would recommend it.

A Stranger at Fellsworth (Treasures of Surrey #3) – Review

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fellsworthcoverWritten by Sarah E. Ladd

  • Series: A Treasures of Surrey Novel
  • Paperback: 336 pages
  • Publisher: Thomas Nelson (May 16, 2017)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0718011856
  • ISBN-13: 978-0718011857

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Could losing everything be the best thing to happen to Annabelle Thorley?

In the fallout of her deceased father’s financial ruin, Annabelle’s prospects are looking bleak. Her fiancé has called off their betrothal, and now she remains at the mercy of her controlling and often cruel brother. Annabelle soon faces the fact that her only hope for a better life is to do the unthinkable and run away to Fellsworth, the home of her long-estranged aunt and uncle, where a teaching position awaits her. Working for a wage for the first time in her life forces Annabelle to adapt to often unpleasant situations as friendships and roles she’s taken for granted are called into question.

Owen Locke is unswerving in his commitments. As a widower and father, he is fiercely protective of his only daughter. As an industrious gamekeeper, he is intent on keeping poachers at bay even though his ambition has always been to eventually purchase land that he can call his own. When a chance encounter introduces him to the lovely Annabelle Thorley, his steady life is shaken. For the first time since his wife’s tragic death, Owen begins to dream of a second chance at love.

As Owen and Annabelle grow closer, ominous forces threaten the peace they thought they’d found. Poachers, mysterious strangers, and murderers converge at Fellsworth, forcing Annabelle and Owen to a test of fortitude and bravery to stop the shadow of the past from ruining their hopes for the future.

fellsworth2

A Stranger at Fellsworth just may be my favorite book yet from Sarah E. Ladd! I was able to read it in one day but was forced to put it down at Chapter 31 when “real life” got in the way and it was killing me until I could pick it up again. 🙂

I felt that the story had an excellent balance of dialogue and descriptions. I could really picture the locations but the descriptions weren’t excessive.

I loved both Owen Locke and Annabelle Thorley. I liked the Annabelle had a quiet yet strong personality and Owen’s personality, back story and description were so interesting. He also had some of the best quotes, like this one: “I would take the solace of a forest over the hustle of london’s streets any day. Just listen to the silence. If the mind is too cluttered, you will never hear your soul’s whispers.”

Certain events at the end were predictable but I feel they did not take away from the story at all.

I received a complimentary copy of the book, however, all opinions are 100% my own. I highly recommend A Stranger at Fellsworth!

Lady Helen Finds Her Song – Review

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helen

Written by Jennifer Moore

  • Paperback: 240 pages
  • Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.;
    1st edition (March 15, 2016)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1680478931
  • ISBN-13: 978-1680478938

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Spring 1813
The exotic splendors of India are legendary, and the colorful sights of her new home in Calcutta immediately captivate eighteen-year-old Lady Helen Poulter. Whereas many of her fellow British expatriates despise the culture they see as barbaric, Helen sees excitement in the unusual locale. It is in this vibrant, bustling city that she finds a kindred soul in Captain Michael Rhodes, an Englishman whose lifelong love of India runs deep. Their friendship quickly grows, yet despite their undeniable connection, she could never think of Captain Rhodes as more than a dear friend.

Her love, in truth, has been captured by dashing British Lieutenant Arthur Bancroft. This handsome soldier represents the embodiment of all she’s dreamed of in a husband. Preoccupied by her growing affections, Helen never dreams that beneath the glamor of the city, hostilities are reaching a boiling point. When battle ultimately threatens both of the men in her life, she must make a choice: pursue the man who symbolizes her British past, or let herself love a man who promises an unknown future in the land she loves. But amid the casualties of war, will her declaration of love come too late?


Positives:

  • There was a lot of depth to each of the characters and you could relate and root for them.  You cared about what was going to happen.
  • Chapters and sections were divided up between the point of views of the two main characters Lady Helen Poulter and Captain Michael Rhodes. Both point of views were very interesting and defined. I preferred knowing what each character was thinking and feeling rather than only having one point of view and both views were written well.
  • I liked that none of the characters were perfect.  It made it more realistic. I have always been annoyed by too perfect characters.
  • The general dialogue and story-line was excellent and I didn’t want to put the book down.

Negatives:

  • There were a number of typos in the book. Each time it distracted me and took me out of the book. Thankfully most of the typos were only in one chapter, not the entire book.
  • I honestly didn’t know why Lady Helen was still interested in Lieutenant Arthur Bancroft after his first hunting conversation.

I have read all five books in Jennifer Moore’s Regency Romance series as well as her novella A Happy Accident in the collection Spring in Hyde Park.  Moore uses the popular Regency time period but adds unique locations and events making her stories more interesting and less predictable.  I look forward to any future Regency novels she plans to write.