Alena

A Not So Peaceful Journey is a story of western travel rich in historical detail paired with characters who jumped right off the page. If you are looking for a book that will sweep you back into the 1880's, look no further. Sandra Merville Hart is a master historian. As I read A Not So Peaceful Journey, I could hardly stop shaking my head at the details Sandra included. This was not a five minute research job.

From tours through various train cars to frantic meals at lunch counters, interspersed with short tempers, arguments, and injured feelings, this was a story that gave a fresh look at western travel. The characters were a lot of fun, and the plot moved quickly even with all the historical details.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about John and Rennie's journey and I'd recommend it for anyone who loves their novels with an extra dose of history.

Rebecca–the story of the founding of one of America's first settlements, the incredible struggles faced in establishing it, and the heavy cost exacted from that colonizing.

For me, a three star indicates that I thought the book was just “all right.” That's how I felt about the beginning of Rebecca. With so many character names (and complicated ones!) I struggled to wade through the first part of the book.

The second half read a lot faster, and I finally mastered all the important names, so I'd rate that a four stars. Thus, the book averages out to 3.5 stars.

Rebecca is based off the true history of the Jamestown colony and the woman that most of us now know as Pocahontas. In her book, Shannon McNear delves into the “what if” questions and brings the real-life characters to life, speculating on the motives and feelings that drove their actions.

Ironically, my dad is currently reading a non-fiction book about the New World during this time period, so I enjoyed comparing the notes that he shared with Shannon's fictional story. She did an excellent job of drawing out obscure historical facts and also of sharing the not-so-flattering parts of history (such as the Englishmen's aversion to bathing).

Sometimes, history can be exceedingly violent, so on a note of warning, this book does contain some hard subjects, including rape. I was a little taken aback at parts because I thought I knew the story well (Pocahontas was a special interest of mine when I was younger). However, considering the story with a little more age on me, I believe that Shannon's interpretation of history is probably correct. Abortion also poses a content issue.

Overall, this is a book that is perfect for anyone up for a challenge and interested in prodding back the veil of history to live out the settlement of Jamestown.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book, but my thoughts and opinions are my own.

Christmas Bells and Wedding Vows features three novels sure to get you into the Christmas spirit!

Sometimes, novellas get a rap for being too rushed and underdeveloped. I've read a few of those, but I felt that each of the novellas in this collection had plenty of depth to them. Well done to each of the authors!

Claiming the Cowgirl: Of course, a story featuring a cute three-year-old boy is bound to be heart-warming. I loved watching the way Weston took care of Serena and her son–and of course, the romance was very sweet. I wasn't so fond of all the deception in the beginning, but Jody did resolve it well.

Doctor's Snowflake Bride: I really loved the opening scene for this story. It hooked me right away and made me chuckle. The novella read quickly–maybe too quickly where the romance was involved. I was a little skeptical about that element, but overall, it was a fun little story.

Marrying the Mountain Man's Best Friend: I am very much loving the new Coulter brother series by Misty Beller, so I could hardly wait to get to this story. And I was not disappointed. Misty's novella is easily my favorite out of the whole collection. What's not to love about a man who would make such self-less choices? The romance felt very genuine and real, and I was cheering for Two stones and Heidi to make their marriage “real.”

Throughout each of the novellas, the mention of snow, spices, and Christmas trees definitely bring the Christmas-feeling. And the marriage-of-convenience trope definitely gets more complicated when the holidays get involved–or maybe it becomes not so convenient.

Christmas Bells and Wedding Vows makes a perfect collection for readers who love a clean western with a sweet romance.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this collection, but my thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

Eloise Davidson is young and widowed—and lonely. Zeke James is always trying to see beyond the next horizon, always eager to see new things—and he has no intentions of staying in Ockelbo, Nebraska.

Despite a rocky first encounter, Zeke and Eloise begin a tentative friendship that opens their eyes to truths they've never known about life, themselves, and love. A horse that refuses to mind, a salty soup, and a little boy bound to get into trouble forge them closer together, but a wedding ring and a misplaced letter lead to wrong assumptions that could drive them apart forever.

Can the past truly be set aside to make way for the future? And what if that future turns out to be entirely different than anything they had planned?

In Bluebird on the Prairie, Tasha Hackett weaves together a story of hope in the midst of grief, friendship grown out of loneliness, and humor mixed throughout. Each of her characters comes to life on the pages of her book, and as a warning, there is no such thing as a good stopping place in this book. Each section links right to the next one and made it a struggle for me to put down.

Ockelbo is a place you won't want to leave, and the people who populate it made me laugh many times. A Swedish background adds to the town's distinction, and I enjoyed the accents and Swedish sayings.

My only complaint with the book was that if Zeke truly believed Eloise was married, then he should have been more careful in his thoughts and how he dealt with her. What goes on in the mind is important to me as I believe that thoughts drive actions and that you can't hold fire to your clothes and expect not to be burned.

Bluebird on the Prairie points to a message of redemption even in the midst of difficult situations, and to the fact that a man may make plans, but whether they come to pass or not depends on God. Tasha neatly ties off all the ends of the story as she brings the book to a satisfying close. And everyone loves a happily ever after, right?

The Pursuit of Miss Parish is perfect for anyone who loves a historical novel filled with adventure, fun characters, and a swoon-worthy romance.

I was swept off my feet with this book. Grace surely must have had me on her mind when she wrote this because she blended together all my favorite elements of a story: riveting plot, lovable characters, a unique setting, and a sweet romance.

I loved the real-life setting of the Harvey House and the picture Grace provided of how the establishment was run. What a cast of characters! I kept turning pages just to see what they were going to do next.

And the romance deserves special mention. I like my romances super sweet, and this book fit the bill perfectly. I can rarely say that about any book, so extra points to Grace Hitchcock!

My Favorite Quote: “What are we going to do when this is all over, Colt?”

He tucked his hands behind his head and closed his eyes. “I suppose we'll just have to wait and see how everything ends up. I may not be alive for you to worry about anyway.”

“Colt Lawson.” She sat up, her feet swinging to the floor. “Don't ever say such things.”

He met her gaze. “Sounds like you almost care.”

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book, but my thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

I really struggled with how to rate The Resourceful Stockman, so I purposefully broke this review into sections. I don't delight in giving a less-than-perfect review, but here are my thoughts, in all honesty.

Characters: The story featured four viewpoints–Deacon and Lillian as a couple, and Grady and Justine as a couple. Deacon! He was so unconventional, yet in a way that only made him more endearing. He simply couldn't keep himself from rearranging rooms when he was upset. Lillian was the perfect complement to him, and their romance felt genuine.

Grady and Justine–well, not so much. Justine was a flirt, and while Grady was pretty good, he had a couple flaws that didn't settle well with me.

Romance: Too much kissing. Way too much. I love a very clean romance, and I didn't feel clean after reading through all the kissing.

Faith Content: Some, but not much. I would have preferred more.

Plot: The plot moved forward nicely, and I do love a good bring-the-bad-guy-to-justice story. I enjoyed that aspect of the story.

Other Issues: I kept forgetting this was a historical. It had too much of a contemporary flavor to it–and for me, that's a downside.

At one point, a main character got drunk–not on purpose, and at least he was sorry. At another time, another character got drunk on purpose. No repentance after that. It made me uncomfortable, to say the least.

So there you have it, and you can take my thoughts or leave them. I appreciate the work Karen put into this story, even if it's not a book I would personally reread. And others may have a different opinion.

Disclaimer: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for my review, but my thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

Hudson Taylor has always been one of my favorite missionaries. His reliance on God and the depth of his faith always hit me deeply, and reading about what God can do through one man who completely yielded himself to Him is nothing less than inspiring.

I'm not typically a fantasy reader, but I simply had to find out what a “western fantasy” was. And after reading Exiled, I'm more than game to discover how the rest of this series goes!

Pairing a fantastical world with a western flair, Kristina takes us on an adventure to a place where rough characters abound, gamblers and gunmen prowl the streets, and an occasional dragon is known to be spotted.

The Western element of the book definitely appealed to me and made it easy to get caught up in the story. However, the fantasy element definitely added a sense of unpredictability. It kept me on my toes and made it possible for any number of events to happen.

The characters were fun and relatable as well. Svana with her determination to overcome her past and Agnarr with his protective impulses were perfectly matched to survive the Rykfallin Wastelands.

Most of all, I appreciated that Kristina kept her book free of magic and that she planted a deep devotion for the Lord in her characters. It was definitely a refreshing book!

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author, but my thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

Summer at Thousand Island House is a quick read rich in details about the 1000 Islands in New York. Addi makes a fun heroine with her boundless energy and the joy she finds in all situations.

From a tour of the entertainment pavilion on Staple's Island to a trip by boat to a lighthouse, Susan provides a taste of life on the 1000 Islands. I cheered for Liam to win Addi's heart and shook my finger at Lt. Worthington by turn.

Summer at Thousand Island House wasn't exactly a put-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat kind of story. It had some conflict, but for the most part, just went along at a leisurely pace. So that being said, you have to be in the right mood to read it.

Quote from the book: Addi squeezed his arm, imagining him twirling her about ‘till she was dizzy. She'd never danced a reel, but with him, it would be a pleasure. And to hear live music in person, here? In the open air? With him? Well, this was magical.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book, but my thoughts and opinions are my own.

It's release day for A Choice of Love! I'm so happy to be able to share this story with everyone.

You may like A Choice of Love if you're interested by:

. A cowboy out of his element

. A widow trying to hold her farm together

. A talkative little girl and two man-shy little boys

. A villain on the warpath

. Plenty of faith content sprinkled throughout the story

Quote from the book: “True love is a choice we make, even though it doesn't always come easily.”

Preacher on the Run is a book you won't want to miss out on if you love stories based heavily on faith, adventure, and love of freedom!

In a culture where courage is lacking and few men are willing to stand strong, we need more books like Preacher on the Run. With a beautiful message of truth, this is a book that belongs on every family's bookshelf. As a matter of fact, now that I've read it myself, I think I need to recommend it for my family. It would be a fun book to read together.

When I first began this book, I thought it might be a challenge. I don't mind a challenging read every once in a while, but I do like to spread them out.

While Preacher on the Run is rich in historical detail, especially about the Regulators and the Baptist church, it was not a difficult story to follow. The adventure kept me on the edge of my seat, constantly wondering, “What's coming next?” The blame lies in all those ways that Jayna put to work the saying that, “When things are bad, they can always gets worse.”

I can't emphasize enough how refreshing it was to read a book that aligned so well with Scriptural values.

And the characters! Robert's little ring of inside friends kept me chuckling at the scrapes they landed in–and when they got an idea into their heads, the governor's men had every right to be shaking in their boots.

Preacher On the Run makes the perfect family book, and I can almost guarantee that reading it will fill your heart with encouragement.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book, but my thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

For me, a three star review means the book was all right. That pretty much describes how I felt about Beside Still Waters. It was a nice story, but there were elements about it that didn't quite connect with me.

But first, let me share what I liked about the book.

I liked the small town/community feel of the story. There was some humor that made me chuckle, and Lynnette has a writing style that kept me turning pages. The faith content was good, and the story had an over-arching theme of how the Lord is our Shepard who can be trusted to lead us through all circumstances.

The first part that didn't resonate with me came when Zoe marched to Washington Nolan's house and proposed to him. I'm not fond of girl's “pushing the question” in real life–and I'm even less fond of it in fiction.

The next turning off point had to do with the bad guys of the story. I like to feel concerned about what a bad guy is about to do, but in this book, I couldn't help laughing out loud as I read the scenes where the bad guys appeared. I'll lay the blame on my brother, who has made me a big fight scene critic.

And the the last reason I couldn't fully enjoy the story was another personal preference. I counted twelve viewpoints in the story–twelve different characters offering a look into their heads. Lynnette managed the story in a way that made it easy to keep track of who was who, but it wasn't a style I was particularly fond of. I prefer not knowing what all the characters are thinking and would rather be able to make my own guesses about what a side character's motives could be.

All that said, if none of the above-mentioned is your pet peeve, then Beside Still Waters is a lovely read that will sweep you back to a simpler time.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book, but my thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

Love from Afar is a fun, clean romance, perfect for an evening's read–except I accidentally read it while I should have been accomplishing something else. But that's beside the point.

The characters for this book were super relatable, especially Meredith with her struggles in trusting God to bring the right man for her at the right time. I appreciated the faith threaded through the story.

I had to laugh out loud with Tillie and Lula's plotting–and bargaining, when they realized the power they held. There were so many scenes that made me laugh, but of course, I'd hate to give away spoilers. Needless to say, Love from Afar is the perfect book to pick up if you want to add a little sunshine to your reading.

Redemption in the Wilderness is a story infused with historical detail and featuring very relatable characters.

I loved watching Iain and Margaret grow closer together throughout the story. And Muireall! She provided plenty of conflict with her selfishness. However, her selfishness also served to highlight Margaret's character and her lovely gift of giving without expecting return.

I loved the way that Andrea sprinkled so much prayer through the story. The characters truly relied on God, and the constant turning to the Lord made their faith deep and rich.

The story meandered a little too much for my liking at times. It had many good themes woven through the story, but I felt that the impact could have been heightened if just one had been focused on. That being said, I enjoyed this story and recommend it for anyone looking for a Christian novel rich in historical detail.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book, but my thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

Crown is an excellent beginning to the Redwyn Chronicles!

The characters were very well fleshed out. Calvin and Isadora made such a sweet couple, and I loved watching them come together. But my favorite characters out of the whole story had to be Euler and Janni, hands down. Their wits and sarcasm had me laughing and leaning forward every time they entered the scene.

I loved the Biblical values woven through the story, and I deeply appreciate how Madisyn kept the romance clean, yet believable.

And, of course, the greatest test in if I really like a book is whether I move on to the next book in the series. I did. I grabbed Iron without a second thought and sat right back down to keep reading. So, yes, I guess the Redwyn Chronicles have me caught–hook, line and sinker.

Wow! Why did I decide to read this during my busiest week of the month? The suspense nearly killed me before I could get back to the book. I agonized. I had multiple heart attacks. I lost sleep. It was that great of a book.

The characters were absolutely fantastic. Carter and Chamonix were perfect for each other and I sat on the edge of my seat, thrilled as they came together.

Cinderella has always been my favorite fairytale, and I loved how Madisyn worked little details into the story that hearkened back to the fairytale, but also gave the story a new twist. It was also refreshing to read a fairytale without the insta-love that tends to dominate a lot of the old tales. The romance in Iron had plenty of time for a slow bloom (and it was super sweet, so that's an added plus!). The masquerade balls were a nice touch on the fairytale.

And all the fight scenes! I have slight obsession with good fights, and I don't often find an author who can play them out realistically. Not a problem with Iron.

And lastly, I loved the faith threaded through Iron. It was wonderful, written clearly and unapologetically.

A Bargain to Keep is a year old, and to celebrate, you can enter a Goodreads giveaway for a chance to win a copy!

A Bargain to Keep is only for people who:

. Enjoy historical romance set on the Nebraska prairie

. Love plenty of faith content in the stories they read

. Want a book with both humor and tough circumstances

. A clean romance. As in, very clean. I loved one Amazon review that reads “through the romance, the characters work hard to stay above reproach.”

Visit A Bargain to Keep's Goodreads page to enter the giveaway: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123005828-a-bargain-to-keep?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=LXH9WVWfXO&rank=2

I haven't read a World War ll era novel for a while, so I was happy to give Estelle's Endeavor a try.

Unlike many World War ll novels, Estelle's Endeavor focuses on the home front. The war in Germany is nearing its conclusion, especially after D-Day and the storming of the beach on Normandy, where the hero, Aubrey, was wounded.

And now that Aubrey has returned to the safety of home, he finds that he still has battles to fight against the greatest enemies of all–bitterness and anger.

I loved how Linda wove so much Scripture and prayer through her book. The characters wrestled with doubts and fears in a relatable way and emerged stronger in the end.

Overall, Estelle's Endeavor is a great book to read if you are looking for a quick, sweet story that plays in with this Thanksgiving season. The book has a slower paced plot, but is full of rich truth.

Disclosure: I received a free copy of this book, but was not obligated to leave a positive review. My thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

This book was phenomenal. I've read and loved all of Madisyn's books in the Redwyn Chronicles, but I think this one takes the first place prize.

To be honest, I've never been overly fond of the Mulan story. In fact, I probably wouldn't have picked up Arrow if I hadn't already loved the other books in the series.

I don't know how Madisyn did it, but she gave Arrow a flair very reminiscent of Mulan, and made me love it. I turned pages as fast as I could until I reached the very end.

The characters were an absolute blast. Ruid was the perfect hero–a strong leader who had a vulnerable side he tried so hard to cover. Maerin, with her shyness and utter lack of warrior skills, made the perfect match for him, even if that was the last thing either of them would have imagined at first. (P.S. I must add that I loved that Maerin was not trying to hide as a man. That's probably why I never liked Mulan).

Speaking of characters, the side characters were one of the best parts about the book. Yushu, Pwyl, Yúl, and Láo all had me laughing. Láo had terrible humor, so terrible that he instantly became one of my favorite characters. And then there's Precious, the racoon. Chaos is bound to ensue when there's a racoon involved.

And I need to mention the world building. Halthdurn and Frilore are real places to me. I see them clearly in my mind, and I'm quite convinced they exist somewhere out there.

The faith content integrated nicely with the story–and there was plenty of it. Plus, I super appreciate the clean quality of the romance.

My only complaint–I need the next book. Fast. I don't know how I'm going to wait until it releases . . .

Needless to say, I loved Arrow and highly recommend it. You owe it to yourself to read it.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book, but my thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

A Summer on Bellevue Avenue is a quick read with a touch of suspense.

The plot made the pages of this book fly past. The setting, the circumstances, and the main characters' strengths/weaknesses all dovetailed together perfectly. Lorri brought the setting to life in such a natural way with little details sprinkled throughout the action.

The characters were marvelous. I could completely relate to Amanda and her fear of people. If I were dropped back into the Gilded age, I believe I would act exactly like her. She had such a lovely character arc and faith journey.

And Wesley was the ideal hero. A perfect blend of confidence with a hint of insecurity (always locked out of sight). I felt for this man.

Content to be aware of: Mentions of drinking, enough to make me a bit uncomfortable, but not enough that it would deter me from reading this book again. Also mentions of main character's brother being unfaithful in marriage, and scenes with this man acting too familiar with other women.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book, but my thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

Another lovely book in the Brothers of Sapphire Ranch series!

Protecting the Mountain Man's Treasure is a story with an intriguing plot, wonderful characters, a western backdrop, and a beautiful faith element.

Both Jude and Angela fit together so well. I had my doubts about Angela at first, but Misty did an excellent job of giving her a solid reason for lying (at least in Angela's mind). And more than that, Angela also had a conscience that burned about the lie she was performing. That made her a far more sympathetic character. Her backstory was quite touching as well and put her desperation in perspective.

And then there was Jude. I absolutely loved his commitment not to be unequally yoked with an unbeliever. His firm stand, even when it was difficult, was laudable, especially since he did it with gentleness and courage in sharing the gospel.

The journey with its various modes of travel (train, steamboat, horseback) was fun to read about. Misty always does a great job of bringing the setting to life.

I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series. The sneak peeks in this book were just enough to get me itching for its release, not to mention the ending. Ack, I really need to get my hands on it . . .

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book, but was not required to leave a positive review. My thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

When Hope Sank is a story that draws deeply on a historical event from the Civil War era–the explosion and sinking of the Sultana. But it's more than that. It's a story that explores ordinary people caught up in a tragedy beyond their control. When Hope Sank looks at the emotional side of the Sultana's fall.

Denise did an incredible job in researching the details of this story. One aspect that I especially loved was all the 1860's medical talk and the battles over which treatments would be best for patients in the long run. The information is fascinating.

Cade and Lily are both loveable characters. More than that, they are characters that come alive in your mind and linger. Their hearts pour into the story, and the climax will steal your breath. Of all the points in the book, that is the spot where Cade and Lily shine brightest.

Content for potential concern: There was one point where a man kidnaps a woman and almost treats her in a wicked way. He doesn't have his way–but it's close. Sensitive readers will want to keep this in mind.

When Hope Sank has all the elements of an enduring tale. A unique take on history. Love. Struggle. Sacrifice. It's a story I highly recommend for anyone who loves Christian fiction with a strong historical theme.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book, but was not required to leave a positive review. My thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

Texas Forsaken holds a tale mixed with heartache and hope.

Sherry brings the Texas landscape to life during a time that's less written about in fiction. I found it fascinating to read about the soldier posted in Texas on the brink of the Civil War and the issues involved with Comanche Indians. Sherry did an excellent job of portraying both sides of the conflict as having their own grievances and issues with the opposite side.

Garret made a relatable and likeable character, despite the complicated circumstances that begin his and Eyes-Like Sky's relationship. And Eyes-Like-Sky–well, her plight is heartbreaking. The spiritual growth they both experience comes through pain, but flows in a believable way.

There were a couple relationship scenes that pushed a bit too far for my comfort, which was my main issue with the book. Otherwise, Texas Forsaken was a story that held the perfect level of deep emotion, historical background, and relatable characters.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book, but was not required to leave a positive review. My thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

A lovely conclusion to the Wyoming Sunrise series! Love's Promise is book 4 in the series, so various characters from past books return (yay!), but it can still be enjoyed as a standalone.

Love's Promise holds wonderful characters, danger, some touching moments, and a sprinkling of humor. I loved all the backstory Silas and Amaya had. Silas was an outlaw–Amaya was planning a wedding before her fiancé was killed. Together they have a second chance at finding love and family.

One of my favorite parts of he story? The way Grandmama was always cooking up new treats for Silas. It sounded absolutely mouthwatering.

The faith content was lovely, a beautiful picture of how God's mercy is enough to cover sin. I also loved the reminder that sometimes we may not see the answer to our prayers, but that doesn't mean God has ceased working. Sometimes the answer takes years to mature.

A happily ever after conclusion to the Wyoming Sunrise series!

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book, but was not obliged to leave a positive rating. My thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

Streams of Courage is a Civil War tale of bravery under pressure. Ash and Julia had many battles to face both internally and externally in their attempts at a happily ever after.

I struggled to get into the story with the first few chapters. There were a lot of characters and many time jumps, but after the story smoothed out, I was immersed deeper and deeper into Ash and Julia's troubles. The climax has me holding my breath and worried about the characters.

The espionage angle added such a unique flair to this story. I don't remember ever hearing of a Civil War book focused on a spy and I enjoyed following Ash's adventures.

Sandra included a wealth of historical detail that highlighted the setting. The research that went into this book was profound, absolutely incredible.

Streams of Courage is a story perfect for anyone looking for history in their fiction, a good plot, faith content, and a clean romance.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book, but was not required to leave a positive review. My thoughts and opinions are entirely my own