Alena

Never Forgotten has all the Hannah Linder feels–a twisting plot, a driving hero, a loveable heroine, betrayals, danger, and love. Beyond that, Hannah has a poetic, lyrical way of shaping sentences that makes the words a joy to read.

Simon and Georgina are fantastic character. Simon's misperceptions of Georgina were written with such skill that I could feel his thoughts alongside Georgina's hurt and sympathize with both characters. A host of side characters add to the story's intrigue–and the stakes, in the case of Simon's children. Mystery and danger go hand in hand, and everyone is a suspect.

The plot, of course, was intense and enough to keep a person on the edge of their seat. The faith content was light, but present. I didn't love the intensity of the romance so much toward the end, so that is something potential readers will want to keep in mind.

Overall, Never Forgotten is a story for those who love Gothic-style Regency novels featuring heroism and love. Just be sure to have a stretch of uninterrupted time to read it. The book is hard to put down.

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

Heart of Strength is a lovely western set against the backdrop of Wyoming. Danger abounds. Criminals lurk in the shadows. And love takes root in the midst of the difficulties.

The characters were each endearing, Wyatt with his protectiveness and Aimee with her strong character that shone through even in the midst of her grief. Their wit and banter kept a lighthearted streak in the story. Besides them, Aimee's nieces added lots of fun and smiles to the book.

Which leads to another point: the tropes. Both the found-family and enemies-to-more tropes were well done and followed the perfect arch through the story. I personally love both tropes, so enjoyed having them together in this book.

The theme of leaning on the Lord's strength rather than trusting in man (or oneself) rang clear and true through the story. What an excellent reminder for all of us!

Overall, Heart of Strength is a story you'll want to grab if you like strong faith content, family relationships, and plenty of conflict.

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.

This book is guaranteed to steal your breath. Wow! What a great continuation in the For Liberty and Conscience series.

I loved Preacher on the Run, the first book in the series, but Jayna's writing just keeps getting better. With rich historical detail, Patriot at the River brings the North Carolina landscape to life during the American Revolutionary War.

Benjamin makes for a wonderful main character. On the outside, he has the perfect skill sets to bring to the war. But internally, he's not ready for this fight. The tension of his battle with himself and his desperation for revenge heighten the conflict.

And speaking of characters, Jayna always does an excellent job of creating secondary characters worth caring about. Aunt Kate, Rane, and Jem all made for fun scenes of their own. Each of them also provided a spectrum of differences in beliefs, convictions, and values that added depth to the story.

And one last point must be made about the characters. This series has the best returning characters. Beginning this book felt like revisiting old friends who gave personal introductions to the new characters.

Part of what brought this story to life the most was the little-known history facts woven into the tapestry of the book. Tiny details leaped to life. Aunt Kate's foraging and home remedies were especially fun to read about. I loved the author's note at the end which provided the facts behind many of these historical scenes.

In the grander scheme of things, the Revolutionary War battles were vivid and lifelike without being gory (a big yay!). I like fights, but battlefields aren't my go-to setting. Usually there's too much blood and not enough character interaction. Not so with this book. Patriot at the River holds the perfect balance.

More than that, Patriot at the River has enough emotional charge to make these big battles feel personally involved. I guess the overarching strategy becomes more important when you know it's going to affect someone you love.

If you want a story with grit, hard battles, beautiful relationships, and strong characters, all wrapped up in a satisfying ending, check out Patriot at the River. It's a book that won't disappoint. Highly recommended!

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.

Brace yourself to be swept away. Hannah Linder's newest release will make you laugh, ponder, and reach for the handkerchiefs.

The Girl From the Hidden Forest opens with Eliza and her little dog, Merrylad, walking through the forest she calls home. And something is wrong. The forest is supposed to be her safe haven in dangerous world, but she can't shake the sense of danger . . .

Enter Felton Northwood, the daring, determined young man on a quest to redeem his family's name. The only person who can bring the truth to light is Eliza, so he kidnaps her, plain and simple.

Felton is one of the most complex heroes I've encountered. He's brave, but reckless. He settles things with his fists rather than words. And sometimes he needs a good shake for all his selfishness, yet he's still a loveable character.

Eliza's sweetness contrasted him perfectly. And the danger creeping in around her was absolutely hair-raising.

The lessons both character learn about facing fear and discovering what truly matters in life add a lovely theme to the story. Prayer is interspersed throughout the book.

The Girl From the Hidden Forest is perfect for anyone looking for a story with twists reminiscent of fairytales.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my review, 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.

Shoot at the Sunset brings the Southern Californian desert to life. Sand and wind leap off the page. The battles of both running a ranch and just plain living in such an area make the story feel real.

Each of the characters was well developed–and some of them brought unexpected twists to the story. There was one character I didn't expect to like, but eventually found myself nibbling my fingernails over. No names given for the sake of spoilers!

The plot moves along at a nice pace and involves plenty of danger and adventure. The Greens' hotel was remarkable. The way Kathleen described all the secret passages raised the hair on the back of my neck. I love a good secret passage.

On thing I wasn't so fond of the love triangle with Lucy, Preston, and Clyve the rancher. Lucy's motivation was believable. It just didn't feel sensible.

The faith content of this story was a delight, as well as the way it was displayed in the characters. Repentance and seeking the Lord are sprinkled throughout the story.

One thing to note is that Shoot at the Sunset deals with some hard subjects. Addiction, rape, and death are all touched on. However, Kathleen handles each topic with gentleness and care, and nothing is described graphically or in a cringe-worthy way. Still, you'll definitely want to be aware of this before reading.

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

Growing up, I lived and breathed the Little House on the Prairie series. I read every book multiple times (or in the case of These Happy Golden Years, twenty-five times–and that's a real number, not an exaggeration). I've extensively studied fact vs. fiction on the series.

So did I want to explore the story behind Mr. Edwards? Well, of course!

Tennessee Wildcat dives deep into the heart of Kansas to determine Mr. Edwards true character. The hunt is far more complicated than it might appear. The authors poured so much research and thought it into their search that I was amazed.

Some parts of the book can get technical as far as land layout. As a Midwesterner with generations of homesteaders behind me, I found it fascinating. There are plenty of stories sprinkled throughout the book to keep the pace lively.

And now to answer the final question. Do I believe the authors' decision about Mr. Edwards at the end?

I believe I do. They laid out their findings in a logical way that convinced me–but if you want to discover what those finding were, you'll have to read the book yourself.

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.

I really like Jonah, so my first thought when I read the back cover was, “Uh-oh. Surely not . . .” In the last book, Protecting the Mountain Man's Treasure, we all know Naomi doesn't love Jonah. Still, I thought for sure this book would be about how she comes to see him as more than a convenience.

Actually not.

Earning the Mountain Man's Trust jumps back into the heart of the Coulter family and their ranch in the Montana mountains. I've said it before and I'll say it again. This is my favorite series by Misty M. Beller. The Coulter ranch is a delightful place to visit.

Eric did grow on me, and of course, I've always liked Naomi. I always enjoy a story involving a child and Mary Ellen fit the bill perfectly. Seeing characters from past books is always fun as well.

Misty handles some difficult issues with care. Characters seek forgiveness for past sins (including premarital relationships that result in a child) and grow in their relationship with the Lord. There was one instance where it's indicated that the Lord reveals something to a character through a dream, which was a little odd. But overall, this is a delightful western tale with a theme of second-chances and solid faith content.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.