A Tender Hope by Amanda Cabot

I just finished reading this and I loved this.  The title was perfect for the book.  My only regret is that I didn't read the first two books.  I really loved it.  I loved the characters, the plot and all the action.

This was a book well worth reading.  Sweet, clean and and had some tragic moments, happy and sad moments.  Just a book that I couldn't put down.  Now to go back and find the first two in the series!

I received an ebook copy from NetGalley.  All thoughts were my own.

The White City by Grace Hitchcock

This was a historical fiction based on events that took place at the Chicago World's Fair.  Winnifred is the daughter of the police inspector who sees what she felt was the kidnapping of a woman at the Fair. 

It's a crime mystery revolving around the story of Dr. H.H. Holmes, a historical criminal and his serial crimes, yet the story is not written in a way that goes into the crime details, and is actually romantic in nature.  Winnifred has a couple of suitors, one she loves and her father insists she not become involved with and one that is family approved but she does not love.

As the book continued, it grew to be quite interesting and I enjoyed it very much having a hard time to put it down.  It was a really different read for me and I liked how historical criminal events wove into this story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Destination Romance by Julane Hiebert, K. Marie Libel, Rose Allen McCauley, Kim Vogel Sawyer, Constance Shilling Stevens

This was a great romance collection.  There were 3 new authors for me and so that made it interesting.  The five stories in this collection were a unique collection, some historical and contemporary.  So something for all readers, I felt.

Each story was very different and I enjoyed each storyline as it developed.  This was a Christian read, and that's my style of reading.

I really enjoyed each of the stories and recommend the book.  It was very well written.

An Amish Betrayal by J.E.B. Spredemann

This was a most touching and tragic story based on a Biblical King with common threads throughout.  The story sets a historically tragic story in a modern Amish setting,

The sins of the flesh have a strong connection to our happiness in life, or lack thereof.  But this story goes on to show that despite our mistakes, the Savior covers those and forgives, even when others will not.

It was a stirring story that clearly makes one think of how unexpectedly sin can happen to even the strongest and how it effects not only those involved but possibly countless others.

Great story with a powerful lesson learned.

I highly recommend it!
I received an ebook copy from the author.  All thoughts are my own.

Shadowed By A Spy by Marilyn Turk

This is a historical mystery romance.  It's WWII and this book tells the story of  how Lexie and fiance Russell choose to do their part for the cause.  It's a very interesting book which takes you back to another time, and let's us share some of the experiences that took place.   This is the second book and the first book, The Gilded Curse was the book which precedes the events in this story.  If you read the first book, you will become familiar with the characters and the events that lead to where they are in this book.  I really felt that this book was a wonderful read.  I truly enjoyed it and it was very entertaining, interesting as well as educational in some of the goings on during this difficult period in history.

I highly recommend this book.

The Mennonite Queen by Patrick E. Craig

I couldn't wait to read this book.  Then I absolutely could not put it down till I finished every page.  This book is set in the times of great religious reformation so it was right up this German/Polish genealogist's alley.

There was lots of research needed to create a book of this type.  That was clear and the events were exciting and heartbreaking at the same time.  The storyline flowed well and the characters easily became alive as they interacted and reacted to the times of their days.  I could actually "see" what they saw and experienced.  Just like being there.  I highly recommend this excellent book interwoven into a time of strong religious discontent and intolerance.  A must read!

I received an ebook copy from the author.  All thoughts are my own.

This Daring Journey by Misty M. Beller

Love this book! Love this series!  If you enjoy adventure, historical time periods and lots of action and drama, this book and the entire series is for you.  It is simply action-packed and wonderful.  It is everything I want in a book and I will recommend it to everyone.  Not one boring or "slow" moment.  It's a winner and the author writes in such a way everything makes you feel as though you are a part of the action.  It totally absorbs you and you can hardly wait to see what happens and at the same time hope that the story goes on forever. 

A really wonderful book!

I received an ebook copy from the author.  All thoughts are my own.

Nancy Drew The Palace of Wisdom by Kelly Thompson

When I first saw a book offered through NetGalley I was excited, after all I am from the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys generation.  I grabbed it before I really knew that first it was a comic book and animated and that it was not the Nancy Drew of my days.

So it's maybe a little unfair to write what I thought, but I wasn't impressed.  The characters did not have the same personalities and were modernized into today.  I didn't feel the storyline progressing congruently and didn't feel that I could follow it as I would have liked.  And I don't remember anyone in the Hardy Boys Series or Nancy Drew series swearing.  Couldn't really connect to the characters.  They changed a bit too much for me.  Sorry.

I received an ebook copy from NetGalley.  All thoughts are my own.

Smoky Mountain Christmas by Delia Latham, Amber Stockton, Rose Allen McCauley, and Jeanie Smith Cash

This is a wonderful book set!  And there are separate stories all funneling into the final conclusion of the book.  It is a wonderful Christmas or "anytime" read.  It's clean, with Christian values throughout.  Written by several authors which have a common synergy and wonderful writing styles.  I really enjoyed these stories and I loved the southern "flair" that comes through because of the wonderful Tennesee setting.  This was the first book that I have read in this setting and I loved the feel of the south and the culture in this part of the country.

Well worth the read! 
I received an ebook copy of this book from the author.  All thoughts are my own.

The Golden Bride by Kimberly Woodhouse

This is the latest book in the Daughters of the Mayflower series.  In this story, Olivia finds herself as a widow with regrets of past choices made.  Now in San Francisco she starts to rebuild her life along with many gold miners who cross her way while working at her brother's eating establishment.

Again a wonderful Christian read with interesting historical information.  Really enjoyed this book.  And have enjoyed the series!  Well, worth your time reading.

I received an ebook copy of this book from NetGalley.  All thoughts are my own.

Love this series, loved this book and this author.  I was so happy to be able to read this.  And the story was so good and I loved the Christian feel to the book.  It was hard to put this one down.  I loved the trust and whole feel of the story. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Immigrant Bride Collection by Irene B. Brand, Krysty Dykes, Nancy J. Farrier, Pamela Griffin, JoAnn A. Grote, Judith Mccoy Miller, Janet Spaeth

This was a collection of 9 novellas regarding immigrant brides from various countries and with different time periods.  It was enjoyable and a fun to read.  I had one little thing that bothered me a bit throughout the story, that was the use of German words and phrases, incorrectly written.  Being a native German, the fact that nouns were not capitalized and the translations were not correct, bothered me as I read it.  I sort of felt that perhaps that could have been better researched and perhaps the help of someone with knowledge of the language would have taken care of those issues. 

Other than that the stories were sweet, clean and entertaining. 

I received an ebook copy from NetGalley.  All thoughts are my own.