In The Shadow of the River by Ann H. Gabhart

Jacci Reed has some rough beginnings and life leads her to be a part of a showboat group which becomes close to family for her. She enjoys the people that are on the boat and it becomes her entire life.  However, her past seems to follow her and life has it's changes which bring danger and fear.

This is a lovely story that was well developed and had very interesting characters, some definitely better than others, which makes for a good story. There is a bit of mystery, and romance and a sweet story that kept me engaged and reading.  I really liked it and it was a part of history that was very unique and new to me.

I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All thoughts are my own.

The Keys to Gramercy Park by Candice Sue Patterson (Doors to the Past book 12)

This dual timeline book blended the two time frames together in a most seamless way!  It was excellent from the very beginning till the very end.  I loved the intrigue which started out in her historic home. I love a good mystery and there were definitely dark sides to the historical portion, but that did make for a good storyline that kept me engaged till the end.  I really wondered how the author would wrap things up!  Being a genealogist, I enjoyed how family history came into play as history unfolded.  If you enjoy a good mystery, you will really enjoy this one.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.  All thoughts are my own. 

Silver Prairies by Pegg Thomas (A More Perfect Union Book 3)

So glad I haven't missed a single book in this series!  This book was an excellent example of what historical fiction should be.  It was so well written, that I felt I was there experiencing it all myself.  The cattle drive was all that I had hoped for and more.  It was very hard to put this one down.  There was adventure, romance, and lots of excitement! The characters were very well described and you can't help but embrace them!  Highly recommend this book for historical readers!  You will love it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to give a positive review.  All thoughts are my own.

The Arranger by Jennifer Spredemann (The Amish Country Brides

This book was very touching.  Mistakes, amends, forgiveness of others and oneself and definitely love.  All the feels.  I think that probably many have experienced the many feelings and events that occurred in this book.  I know that it is a real and very emotional type of book that many will be able to relate to and understand. I really enjoyed reading about the real feelings of the various individuals as they dealt with the situation that they were in.  This book was very engaging and l found myself not wanting to put it down until I had discovered how things turned out.  The author has a great talent in writing and understanding real life issues.  I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All thoughts are my own.

A Small Town Summer by Melinda Curtis (Love in Harmony Valley)

I loved this book.  I liked the characters of Gage and Shelby and his love of animals, especially horses. The story line was well written and kept me very engaged throughout.  I enjoyed the townspeople and the small town feel of the book, and where friends can be friends or perhaps more?  It was a sweet story that keeps you smiling and reading till the end. Mae, an elderly woman was an enjoyable and caring person that made a lasting impression on me.  Very good book which I would definitely recommend

I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to post a positive review.  All thoughts are my own.

Murder on the Angelina: A Fen Maguire Mystery) by Bruce Hammack

 

I love a great mystery and this was another book in the Fen Maquire Mysteries.  And another great read for all you mystery readers. I love the setting in woods in East Texas and the undercover work of private investigator Fen Maquire. The paintball episodes were quite interesting to say the least!  This was a very engaging mystery and I am sure you will enjoy every minute!  When the murder takes place, Fen is put to the test.  The characters are great and I enjoyed the twists and turns.  

I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All thoughts are my own.

Reinventing Ruthie by Kate Lloyd

This is a story of Ruth Ann who has had her share of misfortune.  A husband who left her for another and then a terrible car accident. A difficult teenage daughter and aged parents.  I can certainly understand how all those things would wear a person down.  The story is real life events that many others have experienced.  I can relate to some of the issues as I am sure others will be able to as well.  It is definitely a good read.  I enjoy the author's style of writing.  I have usually read her Amish fiction, but this is definitely just as amazing a book as those, just totally different. I love how the story continues and how the talented writing tells a poignant story of an imperfect life and working through it all.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.  All thoughts are my own.

Joy on the Mountain Peak by Misty M. Beller (Call of the Rockies book 10)

 

This was an excellent historical adventure book.  Heidi finds herself in a difficult situation as her traveling companion, her cartologist cousin,dies on the trip they were making to chart maps.  As she and Temperance are burying him, their paths cross with Ben.  And then on with the adventure.  There is always a lot of adventure in this series.  No dull moments!  There was romance and difficult times in their travels.  This is an amazing read.  I loved it!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.  All thoughts are my own.

Lilac Cottage by Carrie Fancett Pagels (Mackinac Cottages Series Book 2)

As Rachel is at a loss for her living arrangements, she opts Mackinac Island where her late grandmother lived and she had spent time visiting.  Having been mistreated by her mother and loved by her grandmother, Rachel hopes to find refuge there and in her faith. 

The book grabbed me from the very beginning and it was hard to put down and continue later.  There is romance, betrayal and also some intrigue to keep you wondering.  I loved the "genealogy" references as that is my occupation, so family relationships and connections are always of great interest to me.  As the 3 families of Mackinac's secrets are revealed there are many unexpected surprises, some hard to deal with and to overcome.  I really enjoyed this Christian book and am sure others will also find it a wonderful read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and was not required to give a positive review.  All thoughts are my own.

Forever Family in a Small Town by Melinda Curtis (Love in Harmony Valley book 5)

 This book deals with real issues that many people have to deal with.  Problems that have to be worked through and require patience and love of those around them.  The book speaks of families that don't function as they should and have difficult and hurtful secrets to deal with.  There are lots of emotions in this book and a secret that has caused hurt throughout the years. As they begin to heal, will setbacks happen to bring them back to square one?

It's a clean story of forgiveness, healing and has a lot of depth that will touch your heart.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.  All thoughts are my own.

Second Time Around by Melody Carlson

This was an enjoyable read and a sweet story of Mallory who inherits her grandmother's old shop.  As she renovates the shop, she finds stress, some family conflict and expenses she hadn't necessarily planned on.  Maybe the shop should be sold? It's a fun, relaxing read that I liked reading very much.  Mallory is middle-aged and so it was easy to relate to her and fun to see the second chance romance that grows.  I liked her independence and despite things not always going in the direction she'd hoped for, she forges forward. Her apartment is a decorator's disaster. I can almost picture it!  This was a very nice contemporary fiction.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to give a positive review.  All opinions are my own.

A Forbidden Amish Courtship by Jennifer Spredemann (Amish Courtship Series Book 1)

Samuel was not your obedient Amish young man.  No, he had lost his way.  Roberta, sister of his best friend, has always had feelings for Samuel but he has found an Englisch girlfriend, whose beliefs are certainly not similar to the Amish.  Roberta continues to pray for Samuel and hopes that one day he will return to his family.

This book was full of realistic events that can cause definite rifts between both friends and family.  The book is of novella length, but has a wonderful story to tell which takes hold of you from page one. There are no boring moments.  I loved the tender mercies that this book contained.  I am sure you will enjoy this book very much.

I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All thoughts are my own.

 

A Forbidden Amish Courtship (Author Jennifer Spredemann)