With Every Breath: A Review

 

 

Summary: Kate and Trevor battled for the top spot in their class--and a scholarship--for years. When Trevor wins, Kate thinks she'll never see him again....not that she wants to. When she gets a job opportunity years later, she never expected it to be from him. Working together instead of against each other is a first, and with the growing dread of tuberculosis, how much time do they have?

 

My thoughts: Elizabeth Camden's books are so well researched, and this one is no exception. I love the backdrop of the tuberculosis epidemic. It seems Camden's novels just breathe life into historical events, and I felt the hopelessness and panic that communities felt. It set the mood and tone for two dynamic characters.

 

I love Kate and Trevor. I loved their back and forth, how they challenged each other. Their feistiness offset a sad topic.

 

I also loved the theme of living life, celebrating every breath, and trusting God with what might come next.

 

Fans of historical fiction will love this book. Of course, Camden fans will be thrilled with this newest story, and fans of Jody Hedlund will also enjoy this tale.

 

I was given this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.

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Captured by Love: A Review

 

 

Back of the Book Summary:

The British Army has taken control of Michilimackinac Island and its fort, forcing the Americans to swear an oath of loyalty to the crown in order to retain their land. Pierre Durant is a fur trader who returns after being away from the island for years, only to find the family farm a shambles and those he cares about starving and at the mercy of British invaders.

Torn between the adventurous life of fur trading and guilt over neglecting his defenseless mother, Pierre is drawn deeper into the fight against the British--and into a relationship with Angelique MacKenzie, a childhood friend who's grown into a beautiful woman. She now finds herself trapped by the circumstances of war and poverty, and the cruelty of her guardian, Ebenezer Whiley.

As tensions mount and the violence rages on, Pierre and Angelique must decide where their loyalties rest and how much they'll risk for love.

My thoughts:
I'm a Jody Hedlund fan, and I was looking forward to this book. As with all of Hedlund's books, you feel like you are there in history, living the events and feeling the emotions of the characters.
My heart hurt for Angelique--torn between the guy she's always had a crush on (Pierre) and the promise she made to his brother (Jean) to marry him when he returned from the war. She's a strong, fantastic character.

While I liked Pierre, I just didn't like the circumstances of their relationship. I hated that Angelique had promised to marry Jean because while Pierre and Angelique's relationship was fun and flirty, I couldn't root for them while Jean was off fighting in the war.

SPOILER AHEAD!




I appreciated how the author didn't kill off Jean just to have Pierre and Angelique together! That would have been the easy way out of the conflict, and while it seemed a little fast at the end, I appreciated how it was handled.

Overall, Captured by Love is a great historical read. Hedlund captures the time and emotions perfectly with interesting characters.

I received this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.

 

 

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Love Comes Calling: A Review

 

Flighty Ellis rarely thinks of anything other than escaping her life to pursue of dream of acting in Hollywood. When she unknowingly agrees to cover a friend's shift as a telephone operator, she overhears a plan to hurt someone--the guy who has been her friend for years and the only guy who's ever made her consider staying right where she is.

I love several aspects of this book--the prohibition angle, the telephone operator plot, and a character having ADHD. Another interesting part of the plot was the police's involvement/cover-up of those breaking the law during that time.

However, I didn't like the main character much even at the end. Ellis never seemed to really care about anyone, not even Griffin, the guy she's trying to save. Everything seemed like an act with her, which got old pretty fast.

I'm a long-time fan of Siri Mitchell, and I think most of her fans will enjoy this book.

I was given this book in exchange for my thoughts, which are my own.

 

 

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Caught in the Middle: A Review

 

Running from her past, Anne has shunned society and become a buffalo hunter. When the cook runs off, she chases her down, only to run into Nick, the brother of one of Anne's only friends. Not only does the cook not go back with Anne, she leaves her baby in Anne's care.

Will society be too much for the wild Anne?

 

After a slow start, I enjoyed this book. Anne and Nick were somewhat annoying at first, so I enjoyed seeing the change in them. I liked their sometimes fiery back-and-forth conversations.

 

I also liked Anne's past even though it was sad. It gave depth to her character and made the relationship she developed with Sammy, the orphan boy, my favorite part of the story.

 

Overall, it's a good read. Fans of Christian historical fiction authors like Jody Hedlund will enjoy this book.

 

I received this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.

 

 

 

 

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Glittering Promises: A Review

 

The final book of the series started out pretty slow for me. Cora is still struggling to accept her new role as heiress to a fortune while falling for Will, a man beneath her social status. The first part of the book seemed to be both Will and Cora going back and forth between this is true love and this will never work.

About a third of the way through, the story really picks up as tragedy strikes and Cora's life is once again in danger. The action gets moving as well as the characters as Cora finds her role in the family company as well as the part God wants her to play.

The last part of the book was fantastic. I found Cora's sister Vivian to be the most interesting character in this book and wish she had had been a focal character.
There were some twists I knew were coming but one or two I didn't see coming. It all wraps up nicely, finishing a great series.

I recommend this book to fans of Christian historical fiction, especially those who enjoy details about landmarks around the world. You'll want to read them in order though.

I received this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.

 

 

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A Place to Belong: A Review

Engaged to Lucas, Cassie should feel settled into her new home. She's found a family, she's able to compete again, and she finally has a home. Yet, she's still longing for more. Will she find that when her fiancé starts looking at another girl?

A Place to Belong offers a satisfying conclusion to the Wild West Wind series. Ransom, who has been my favorite character, finally finds a balance of working hard to support the family and enjoying the life he has. I also liked that Cassie finally had to face the guy who ripped off her dad with the Wild West show, leaving Cassie destitute and desperate. The character growth for both Cassie and Ransom were my favorite parts of the book.

I enjoyed the glimpse of history as well....how life was in the early 1900s from saving calves in a snowstorm to gardening with a little shooting in between.

While I enjoyed the book, I had kinda been hoping Mavis would find a happily-ever-after as well. And what about the son Jesse who was away at college to become a doctor? There are more stories for this family, and I hope the author shares them.

I was given this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.

 

 

 

 

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Whispers in the Wind: A Review

 

 

I haven't read a Lauraine Snelling book in a few years, and after reading this book, I had to ask myself why it had been so long. Although I didn't read the first book in the series, I quickly caught up with Cassie's story.

 

When her father died and his partner in their Wild West Show went bankrupt, Cassie decided to return to the place her father had loved--a ranch in South Dakota, where the Engstrom family has lived since her father left. Will the two families be able work together as joint owners?

 

I loved the characters. Cassie is fun, Mavis is stable, and Ransom is mysterious. Cassie comes to town with a ragtag family of Chief, Runs Like a Deer and Micah, who I wish would have had a bigger part of the story. (Perhaps that was covered in the first book, which I didn't read.)

 

The characters' relationships are the main focus of the book, but the historical elements add to the story. I loved the aspects of how Native Americans were treated, the horse/shooting shows Cassie enjoys, and even how the justice system worked.

 

Fans of historical fiction will enjoy this series about a girl who's looking for a place to belong.

I certainly won't wait as long to read another book by Lauraine Snelling.

 

 

 

 

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Rebellious Heart: A Review

 

Susanna Smith grew up with everything she could ever want except an education. Ben Ross grew up with nothing and has only his Harvard education. When they meet, sparks fly, and they must work together to stand for justice.

Jody Hedlund is one of my favorite for historical fiction. She has a way of making the characters real and the circumstances come alive. However, I didn't really like Susanna and Ben much at first. They were well-written; I just didn't love them from the get-go. However, about halfway through, they had grown on me, and I read the second half much quicker than the first.

The action starts with the very first page, and there are plenty of turns along the way to the happy ending. I also liked that the author tackled topics of slavery, punishment for crime (even when innocent), and even rape and murder. While not giving too much detail, the author gave a more realistic view of the time than the romanticized version we often read.

The author's note at the end intrigued me as much as the story. I'm going to check out some books on Abigail and John Adams.

Fans of Jody Hedlund will enjoy her latest book. Fans of historical fiction will also enjoy this. A Noble Groom is still my favorite by Jody though. :)

I was given this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.

 

 

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Into the Whirlwind: A Review

Elizabeth Camden is a research librarian, and it shows in her books. The details of the Chicago fire rang true and the events drew me into the book from the first page when Mollie Knox, the owner of a watch company, and Zack, the lawyer for her biggest buyer, flee the city as it burns.

Although she could walk away from her destroyed company, Mollie refuses. Many of her employees are wounded veterans who fought with her dad in the Civil War. Instead, the remaining members of the 57th come to help her rebuild the company named after them. With the group comes the beloved leader, Richard, who shows an interest in Mollie. Will he win her heart with his promise of security? Or will Mollie run into the whirlwind that surrounds Zack?

I enjoyed the fire between Mollie and Zack? They had energy, depth, and wit. They both annoyed me at times, but I think it was because there was sometimes so much feeling between them that I wanted them to just admit it already! I loved Mollie's strength in running a company even when certain businessmen looked down on her, and I loved Zack's street-smart way of getting things done. Sophia, a young girl who is a minor character, also shines bright.

The book starts off with bang with the fire blazing, and it keeps a steady chain of events until the end.

I definitely enjoyed this book and look forward to Camden's next book.

I received this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.

 

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Bending Toward the Sun: A Review

 

 

Although everyone around her is falling in love and settling down, Emilie is focused on continuing her education and helping her father run their store. When a childhood friend returns from fighting in the Civil War, Emilie is forced to rethink her plans even if it means defying her father.

 

Novellas are sometimes hard for me because I'm a character-driven reader, and it's hard to get to know characters in such a short time. However, I liked Quaid and Emilie a lot. They were sweet.

 

I also enjoyed getting to know the various characters. Small towns are always full of colorful characters who have their own story to tell, and I enjoy the historical aspect as well as the community.

 

Fans of Christian Historical Fiction will enjoy this novella. It's the second in the series, but I read it without having read the first one and had no problem.

 

I was given this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.

 

 

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Duchess: A Review

 

 

 

The final book in the Daughters of Fortune series follows Rosie as she leaves everything behind to follow her dream of being a movie star. Will the price of fame be more than she's willing to pay?

While I liked the way the first two books alternated between story lines, I liked that this book focused solely on Rosie, now called Roxie, since Lily was settled and happy at the end of book two. Roxie is a character that is so headstrong that she messes things up for herself time after time. Even when I grew frustrated with her actions, I still loved her character, who had lost so much and kept going with a fierce determination.

As with the other books in the series, the author does a great job capturing the culture and time of the book. From movies to rescuing Jews from the Nazis, the time period enhances the story so much by adding realistic circumstances.

Finally, I didn't want this book to end. After following this family for two generations, I wanted to read about the next generation, particularly Coco, who has a story to tell for sure.

Fans of historical Christian fiction will love this series. It's true to the time periods and full of twists and turns.

I received this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.

 

 

Baroness: A Review

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Baroness continues the emotional roller coaster ride started in Heiress. In book two, Lily and Rosie are coming of age and both determined to leave their parents behind to chase their own dreams. In Paris, they both fall in love, and that loves takes them through more heartaches than happiness.

 

There were times I wanted to strangle both girls. Didn't they learn anything from their parents' drama? The author does a superb job capturing the time period where women were gaining independence and standing on their own. I love the culture in the book, ranging from airplane tricks to baseball.

 

As with the last book, just when you thought nothing else could happen to destroy the character, something else happened. Yet, Lily's journey is one of hope.

 

Fans of historical Christian fiction will enjoy this series.

 

 

 

 

 

Stealing the Preacher: A Review

 

 

I loved Short-Straw Bride and had hoped Crockett would get his own story, so I was excited to read this book. The plot was fun: instead of being kidnapped for ransom, Crockett is taken because the outlaw's daughter Joanna asked for a preacher for her birthday. What happens next is a fun read as Crockett and Joanna try to revive the church that has been empty.

The romance is pretty predictable, but the supporting cast and the other relationships are what make this such a great book. I loved Jackson, the neighbor boy with a deadbeat dad and a crush on Joanna who becomes a helper to Crockett.

When I read historical fiction, I enjoy the town and culture dynamics as much as I do the romance. I loved the little Texas town, filled with neighbors who carry around baggage from the past and even a woman who can't keep her hands off the preacher.

Fans of Christian historical fiction will enjoy this book. Although you don't have to read Short Straw Bride first, it would be a nice introduction to Crockett.

I received this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.

 

 

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A Noble Groom: A Review

You know a book is great when you stay up past 1:00 am to finish despite the fact that you have to wake up a few hours later for work. This book is worth the lack of sleep.

In the year 1880, few women held on to dreams of a fairy tale life. Annalisa may tell her daughter all the stories, but she knows she'll never experience that kind of love. When her husband dies, leaving her to try to save their farm alone, Annalisa's father writes the family in their native land, asking for a husband for her. When Carl Richard arrives to help until Annalisa's intended  can come (and run from his past), Annalisa comes to care for him...despite the fact he's not the man she's to marry.

Although the summary sounds like it's mainly a romance, this book offers so much more: family, the harsh farming life, murder, and family loyalty vs. love.
I enjoyed the realistic look at farm life, which included some lice scenes that made my head itch.
The relationship with Annalisa and her extended family, especially her brother Uri, was strong and more complex than it first appeared. I was certainly thrown for a loop by a twist at the end with her sweet brother...I wish that twist would have been developed a little more.
Finally, I loved the characters of Annalisa, her daughter, and Carl. They are each unique and well-developed. I liked the way the old fairy tales/folk tales were woven throughout the story.

This has been my favorite book (so far) by this author. Fans of Christian fiction will enjoy this book. Perhaps just start it early enough in the day that you can finish by bedtime.

I received this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.

Short-Straw Bride: A Review

From the back cover:
No one steps on Archer land. Not if they value their life. But when Meredith Hayes overhears a plot to burn the Archer brothers off their ranch, a long-standing debt compels her to take the risk.

Years of constant vigilance hardens a man. Yet when Travis Archer comes across a female trespasser with the same vivid blue eyes as the courageous young girl he once aided, he can't bring himself to send her away. And when an act of sacrifice leaves her injured and her reputation in shreds, gratitude and guilt prompt him to attempt to rescue her once again.

Despite the fact that Travis is no longer the gallant youth Meredith once dreamed about, she vows to stand by his side. But will love ever be hers? Or will Travis always see her as merely a short-straw bride?

My Thoughts:
The Archer brothers are fabulous characters. This is the first book I've read by the author, but I hope she'll continue to write about the rest of the men in the family because they are standouts. 
Meredith is a good character as well, and I loved the development of her and Travis' relationship. 

I enjoyed the historical aspects of the story, including the way business was handled back then by having families marry to ensure the success of a business. I also liked the theme of putting up fences to keep yourself safe or to keep others out. 

Of course, you know how the love story will end, but it was a still a sweet read getting there with Meredith running off to solve things and finding herself in trouble, a little bit of action, and whole lot of swooning. 

Fans of Christian fiction will enjoy this story. 

Unending Devotion: A Review

Lily Young is determined to save her sister Daisy, who ran away and is now stuck as a prostitute in a Michigan logging camp. There she meets Connell McCormick, a man who runs a lumber company his father started, who wants to help but the small community is terrified of Carr, the man who runs the saloon where Daisy works. Because the logging camp doesn't have a sheriff, it's up to Lily to save her sister even if it means giving up Connell or even her own life.

Lily is a fun character. In 1883, women had few rights, but I imagine there were a lot of women like her: strong, spunky, and full of spitfire. She makes the story stand out with her headstrong determination that often gets her in trouble. Connell is a great balance with his careful calculations, and I loved them both. 

The pace is quick with Lily finding herself in one near death experience to another, from being stuck in a cabin while wolves stood outside to being forced to "work" at the brothel. 

Fans of Christian historical fiction will enjoy this book. 

I received this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.

Against the Tide: A Review

Lydia has always been alone. Orphaned as a young girl, she worked hard to make a quiet life for herself as a translator for the U.S. Navy. When Alexander Banebridge requests her help translating documents in his efforts to stop the opium trade that he once helped run, she finds her organized life suddenly thrown into a tailspin as she goes undercover to help Bane stop the man responsible for most of the opium trade on the East Coast.

Although they fell in love a little suddenly, I loved the characters in this book. They were flawed yet resilient, overcoming difficult childhoods to becoming strong adults. 
The opium trade plot was fascinating to me. I could see parallels between orphanages and doctors who gave opium to children to calm them down and today's rush to take medicine for everything. I thought Camden did an excellent job with the ease of addiction and the torture of withdrawal. It seemed real and well-researched. 

Overall, I loved this book. Fans of Christian fiction will enjoy this book. It's got history, adventure, and love. 

I received this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.

Queen of the Waves: A Review

In a twist of the classic “rich girl falls for the poor boy” tale, Jacqueline asks farm girl Tessa to take her place on the Titanic so that she can elope with the gardener, who happens to be Tessa’s brother. Desperate to escape her abusive father, Tessa agrees, and after a crash course in how to behave like a lady, she boards the ship in pursuit of a better life. When the ship sinks, both women will never be the same.

A longtime fan of Titanic stories, I was eager to read this book and was not disappointed. I found the characters to be engaging and even the side characters were well-developed.  I loved Tessa, the spunky girl who wrestled with pigs and now had to wrestle to get into fancy dresses. The character I wish had more of a storyline is Roland, the man Jacqueline is told to marry, which sparks the identify exchange. Instead of writing him as a mean man Jacqueline must escape, he is a true gentleman and deserving of his own story one day. (Hint, Hint, Jacqueline.)

Because everyone knows what happens with the ship and so many books (both fiction and nonfiction) have been written surrounding the tragedy, it’s hard for readers to find a fresh take on the event. However, Thompson does this beautifully. The well-researched event is written vividly, giving us readers a sense of eagerness, panic, grief, and finally hope that passengers must have felt.

Fans of Christian historical fiction will enjoy this book as well as fans of fiction surrounding the infamous Titanic.

I was given this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.

Prize of My Heart: A Review

While he was at sea three years ago, Captain Brogan Talvis' late wife gave away his son to another family to raise as their own. For three years, Brogan has plotted to get his son Benjamin back by any means necessary. When he finally finds his son, he's surprised by his attraction to Lorena, the woman Benjamin (now called Drew) knows as his sister and primary caregiver. In his efforts to win back his son, will he lose his chance at love?

I can sum up this book in one phrase: great plot idea but poor execution. The plot was intriguing with both characters hiding secrets, some action, and a final twist, but the telling instead of showing writing  kept the story, particularly the characters, from fulling developing. The characters dealt with major issues that today would require some therapy, but they were easily resolved in two paragraphs at the end. Lorena, who is the leading lady, is more of a prop and kinda just there. Because I'm a character-driven reader, this frustrated me.

What saves the book is the solid plot and the theme of strength of a family bond. I was surprised by the final twist that balanced out the predictable romantic ending between underdeveloped characters.

Some fans of Christian fiction will enjoying this fans, but I think there are better written options out there.

I received this book in exchange for my review. My thoughts are my own.
 

The Bride Wore Blue: A Review

Trying to forget the sins of her past, Vivian moves to Cripple Creek to join her three sisters. Determined to succeed as a fashion designer, Vivian will take any job to make her way...even a job that will hurt her reputation beyond repair. Will the past pull her back in, or will Vivian finally find relief from her guilt?

Vivian may be my favorite sister. I liked her determination and the storyline of her guilt over her past. When Vivian witnesses a crime that the local law enforcement is desperate to solve, she becomes involved in character descriptions, witness statements, and even a kidnapping. What she hadn't expected was the sparks she felt for Carter, the Sheriff who is afraid of having a family with his dangerous career. Their relationship is predictable but enjoyable.

The best part of the book was the question of how far will people go to survive. Many people say they won't do certain things, but when you have tried every other option, what will you do? Will you compromise your values to eat and to have a place to live? Although this was a minor part of the story, it is the part that left me wondering about the situations people have endured to lead them to the bad choices they make.

Fans of Christian fiction will enjoy this book. I recommend reading the series in order, but this book can be read as a stand alone.

I received this book in exchange for my review.