The Girl From Tomorrow's Town by Naomi Musch

 

This was a different type of book for me and I found that very interesting.  Starting with the Orphan Train, which I have read about before, and then the departure from the orphanage and the issues that brought that Lily had to endure.  Lily meets someone upon her leaving who has quickly befriended her and helped her as well.  Francis is a roustabout working for a traveling circus.  He is a hard working member of the circus “family” and helps in all ways that he can.

I enjoyed this book very much.  I felt the struggles that Lily has experienced by the author’s description and even though she has left the orphanage environment, things still are not always as hoped.  It is a good story and definitely one to read. 

I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Mail-Order Baroness by Misty M. Beller

This book was probably number 1 of my favorite books read in quite a while!  I loved the storyline, the drama and the challenges that James and Rose face to keep her safe from a very evil man.  It's such a well written book, that I read it so quickly to see what happens.  I loved this book so much that I can hardly wait for the next book in the series!  If you love adventure and historical romances, this book is definitely for you!  I highly recommend this book.

I received an ARC of this book from the author.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Ragpicker by Pegg Thomas

This sweet story of Verity is about an orphaned child during the late 1600's.  The story revolves around Verity, whose last family member has passed away and she is taken in by a widow who has taken in orphans and then had them go begging.  Verity is befriended by Joseph, also in the same situation with the widow.  It is the time of the Puritans and the Quakers and the tension between these two groups.  Verity experiences some very difficult times and becomes a friend of the Quakers who offer and hope to take her in as a part of their family.  But they have to deal with the village elders.  Verity was always told to stay away from Quakers, but they are kind to her yet she is afraid to trust and is fearful of them.

It's a heart wrenching story that draws you right in.  It is very touching and a very good start to the Salem Village Series.  

I received a complimentary copy of this very good book.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.
 

The Pursuit of Elena Bradford by Ann H. Gabhart

Just finished this excellent book.  It was very entertaining and had a clean and enjoyable storyline.  As Elena's widowed mother realized her financial situation was becoming very dire, she  feels that if her daughter, Elena, would find herself married to a wealthy man, their problems would all be resolved. So they spend their summer in a beautiful health resort called Graham Springs where there are dances and opportunities to meet someone to marry and enjoy the healing spring water. As the story proceeds, there is mystery and intrigue is this Kentucky setting.   The characters were engaging and of course, in pursuit of Elena. But is money the only reason to marry or will love win out?  This was a story that I totally enjoyed and that keeps me reading books from this author!  Loved it.  

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

Liberty A Historical Novel by Dean Hughes

I really enjoyed this book very much.  It was a historical fiction based on actual history of Joseph Smith and his followers.  His fictional story brought real life to the events and characters that are involved.  The trials and the hardships were all accurate and brought you right into Liberty Jail and the events that transpired.  A lot of research for accuracy was clearly a part of this book on the history of the beginnings of the Latter-Day Saints. Taking place in the early 1800's we can read about life in those times as well.  It is well worth a read!  I definitely recommend this interesting and engaging book!

Earning the Mountain Man's Trust by Misty M. Beller (Brothers of Sapphire Ranch Book 4)

 An unwed mother finds herself alone to raise a child.  Jonah Coulter asks her to marry him.  He is not the father and Naomi is not in love with him, but agrees.  I enjoyed this book very much.  This author has a talent for writing historical fiction and some of the trials and struggles that occur in the lives of the characters.  I have read the other books of this series and recommend this book and all the previous ones as well.  It was an exciting read with some suspense to make things quite interesting, to say the least!

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

Protecting the Mountain Man's Treasure by Misty M. Beller (Brothers of Sapphire Ranch Book 2)

Book 2 of this series did not disappoint.  I had a hard time tearing myself away from the book to take care of things I needed to do.  I loved this book.  It completely engaged me and I could see the events happening in my mind as the book described them.  The main characters are both good people and yet because of the circumstances, neither can immediately trust the other.  Yet there is a definite attraction between the two.  But will it be enough.  Jude can definitely not be with someone who does not have his Christian faith.  And Angela was not raised in the same beliefs.  As their journey together continues, there are many treacherous events that cause them to question the other person.  It's a great read and I really was captivated by it.  Highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of the book.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rocky Mountain Promise by Misty M. Beller (Sisters of the Rockies Book 2)

I totally went back in time with this book.  The writing was so engaging that putting the book down was a difficult thing to do.  The characters were real and unique.  The storyline was new and fresh and original.  The setting was rugged yet beautiful to visualize.  It was so enjoyable that I highly recommend it to you.  I can't wait for what the author will write next.  I don't want to miss any of her books.  This book had lots of unexpected events.  And it blends in well with the first book of the series. This rugged period had so much to deal with and so different than today's life, that it was fascinating to see what things occurred to those forging a new life in a wild and untamed land.  I can't wait for book 3! 

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

A Mississippi Sunset: Women of Courage by Linda Weaver Clarke (Audible Version)

I really enjoyed this sweet and clean historical fiction and romance. It's part of a series of brave women who were not afraid to take a stand in what they believe needed to be changed and you will see some historical figures that appear in this book!  Loved that.  I enjoyed that the Willow Valley people return such as the owner of the hot chocolate shop and others familiar from an earlier book.  The characters are good people trying to make the best of the situations that they are in. However, it is not necessary to have read the previous books in order to be aware of what is happening in this, the third book.  It's a great stand alone story. The narrator was Elizabeth Schmidt, who I believe is a new narrator for the author's Audible books.  I enjoyed her expression and her story-telling abilities.  She was easy to listen to. 

This is a very enjoyable book and it was fun to listen to.  I received a complimentary Audible copy of this book form the author and was not required to post a review.  All thoughts are my own.

The Christmas Story & Other Beloved Stories of Jesus Guest Post by Linda Weaver Clarke

The Christmas Season - a Time to Rejoice!

Christmas is a wonderful time of year. A feeling of love and joy are in the air as we give gifts to family members and neighbors.

The Christmas season is a time to have compassion for others and to give from our hearts. If we find out that a family is in need, our hearts go out to them. We don’t want their children to be disappointed on Christmas Day so we’ll take gifts to them to put under their tree. That day will always stay etched in your mind, and your children will never forget the grateful faces of the family.

Some people give gifts in secret, by knocking at the door and hiding behind a bush. When we did this, my children saw the surprised neighbor calling his children to the door to see what was at their doorstep. My children remember those days with fond memories.

As we buy gifts for the family and listen to I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas and Jolly Old St. Nicholas, do we think about the real reason we celebrate Christmas? Do our children understand who Jesus Christ is? How about our teenagers? Do they comprehend what He did for them? This is the perfect time to help them understand why we celebrate Christmas. But what is the best way to explain who Jesus is and why He is so important on Christmas Day?

There are many children’s books about the stories of Jesus. Each one has cartoon-like drawings for young children and told in a simple way for them to understand. But how about our older children who can read and would much rather read something that fits their age? Is there something for them to read?

Thirteen years ago that very thought inspired me to write such a book for my grandchildren in narrative style so they could get to know Jesus. This style of writing brings the stories to life so they can understand the scriptures better. After much

thought, I realized it was time to share this book with others. These inspirational stories are for all ages to read… from eight years old to ninety-eight. The font is larger for easier reading, especially for children, teenagers, and grandparents.

In “The Christmas Story and Other beloved Stories of Jesus,” you will learn about the birth of Jesus, the angel who told the shepherds about His birth, and the star that led wise men miles upon miles away to visit the Christ child. How about the miracles that Jesus performed? From the healing of the sick to feeding the five thousand with five barley loaves and two small fishes… from calming the wind and the waves to walking on water. These stories help our children to realize that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

This book also includes inspirational paintings by Del Parson, the renowned artist. His paintings give us a feeling of reverence and peace. The colors are exquisite and the style of painting helps tell the stories of Jesus. You can actually feel the love that Jesus has for us as you gaze at each of the lovely paintings. To learn more about Del Parson and his inspirational paintings, visit http://www.delparson.com.

Have you noticed that more and more people are talking about Jesus and His ministry? There are movies on the Internet telling the stories of Jesus like The Chosen by Dallas Jenkins and a Christian website called Bible Videos: The Life of Jesus Christ.

After reading The Christmas Story and Other beloved Stories of Jesus, Sunnie Reviews wrote: “A beautiful book written in an easy to understand style for adults and young people alike. The words and the artwork are amazing. The art is from a renowned artist. This is a great gift idea for younger readers to help them realize the important events that are well explained in this book.”

Below is a sample to read:

Off in the distance, a group of shepherds were tending their sheep when they heard choirs of angels singing. At first, they were startled and confused, not sure what to think of it.

An angel stood before them and said, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.”

With that announcement, the angels sang: “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

After the angels left, one of the shepherds said, “Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.”

With haste, they traveled to the city of Bethlehem. It did not take long to arrive at the stable because the shepherds felt God directing them where to go and they soon found the babe lying in a manger just as the angel had announced.

With humble hearts, they knelt in reverence before the newborn babe. The happiness they felt was indescribable. They were grateful that God had sent the angels to them with a message about the Messiah. Why had they been so privileged to know about his birth? With great joy, the shepherds went about, making it known to everyone about the spiritual experience they had seen that night.

*To read the first 22 pages of The Christmas Story and Other beloved Stories of Jesus, visit the Amazon website and click on the cover. When the book opens up, scroll down and read each page. https://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Story-Other-Beloved-Stories/dp/B0BJYM9VDY

#birthofJesusChrist, #JesusChrist, #Christmas, #Christmasstories, #TheChosen

The heart of the Mountains by Pepper Basham

 The minute I started reading this book, I knew I would love it and I totally did.  I enjoyed the historical setting, the characters, the plot.  It was just plain good reading!  If you enjoy a clean historical fiction, this book will captivate you from the start.   Cora's adventures are fascinating and the storyline will not disappoint you!  I loved it!

I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing and was not required to post a positive review.  All thoughts are my own.

Abigail's Peace by Pegg Thomas (Forts of Refuge #3)

I have enjoyed the historical fiction books that I have read from this author, which is what keeps me reading them!  Once you find something you enjoy, you continue to read these wonderful books.

The writing style and character development are excellent in this book.  The research must have been very in-depth to recreate such an incredible read.   This is a book in the 1700's time frame, which would require many hours of research to develop a precise and wonderful book of this period.

As Abigail arrives into the fort, she finds life is very different than what she was used to or was expecting and it was interesting to read about the Seneca and their side of things.  The book was a real page turner and I loved that!  Had to keep reading and not put it down!

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

 

A Rose for the Resistance by Angela K. Couch

This was a very poignant story taking place in France during WWII. As this young French woman came in contact with a German soldier, they find there is good and bad on both sides and  that their faith will see them through. Rosalie has experienced losses and has a teenaged brother who wants to support his country and do his part.  Rosalie wants to keep her brother safe.

It's a story of the French Resistance and brave characters which aren't willing to give up.  Rosalie has faith and trusts in the Bible that she feels has kept her safe at all times. Franz is a German officer and is not supportive of the Nazis.  As he shows kindness to Rosalie and her family, she wonders if he can be trusted.  

I really enjoyed this book.  I could totally relate to the story and the situations it encompassed.  It was a good book.  I highly recommend this and am happy that I had the opportunity to read this excellent book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Barbour Publishing Company and was not required to post a review.  All thoughts are my own.

Love Comes Home By Ann H. Gabhart (Audio Version)

I have enjoyed Ann H.Gabharts books and was happy to listen to the Audio version of Love Comes Home.  It's a poignant story of four sisters during the days of the Depression.  Each sister has her own personality and experiences that they respond differently to.  It was the third book in this series, and I hadn't read the earlier books, so it took me a while to figure out the different sisters and their roles in the story.  Other than that the book works fine as a stand alone book.

The family circle seems quite close in this time period, which I can still remember from my youth, as well.  Life today seems to be on a different path so it was nice to see the family circle as portrayed in this story. Each sister has her own story to live and experiences, good and not so good.

It's a Christian romance story and was very good, as are all this author's books. 

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

 

Tales of Willow Valley by Linda Weaver Clarke

This full length book entails five historical short love stories. The author is well-known for her sweet romances and these are stories of some of her ancestors and written into a sweet romance, with some excellent details of the time period, the struggles that the people of those days went through as well as everyday life. All with enjoyable storylines...

I am a genealogist, so the fact that she writes tales of her ancestors is a real plus for me as I try to think back and reflect on earlier years and how things change and yet how things also stay the same.

The stories are refreshing tales of good people working through life as do we today, as well. The title of one of the stories which gives me hope for the struggles we are going through now,  "The Light at the End of the Tunnel".  God is always watching out for us and there are good things yet to come.

I found these happy stories just what I needed in these trying days.  I recommend it!

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

Holidays in Willow Valley by Linda Weaver Clarke (Audible Version)

I have enjoyed all of Linda Weaver Clarke's books.  You can be assured that they are all clean and sweet.  This book contains six short stories of various characters and different holidays celebrated in the 1840 time period.  It is interesting to read of people's customs, and their differences from other countries.  These are enjoyable stories to read any time of year, not just in holiday times. 

The talented narrator brings the characters to life in these sweet stories.  Carolyn Kashner is full of enthusiastic voices for the different characters.

The characters are all wonderful  and the book carries sweet Christian values which I love.

These are very entertaining stories and I hope you will take the time to read them!

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

Author Biography

Linda Weaver Clarke has traveled throughout the United States, teaching and encouraging people to write their family history and autobiography. She is the mother of six daughters and has several grandchildren. Clarke is the author of an award-winning sweet romance, Melinda and the Wild West, for the “Reviewers Choice Award.” She has several historical romances, a cozy mystery series, a mystery/suspense series, and a children’s book. All her books are family friendly.