Tag: historical fiction

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A Feeling Of Home (Redemption’s Light #3) By Susan Anne Mason-Review

About The Book

Can she set aside the pain from the past to embrace a new love?

Isabelle Wardrop’s well-to-do life has completely unraveled. Within months, she’s lost both her parents, her fortune, and her home. With nowhere else to turn, she and her younger sister move in with a trusted former servant in an impoverished area of the city. Desperate for work but having no qualifications, Isabelle is forced to accept help from Dr. Mark Henshaw, the very man she blames for her mother’s death.

Mark Henshaw has admired Isabelle for several months, but after the tragic death of her mother, he vows to make amends for the past and help her find her way. But when Mark learns his younger brother has formed an undesirable friendship with Isabelle’s sister–one that brings a whole new set of problems into their lives–he doesn’t know if Isabelle will ever forgive him.

When startling developments begin to take place, both within Isabelle’s heart and their siblings’ relationship, her future looks very different than anything she could have imagined.

“Mason delivers a soothing WWII romance . . . and paints a rich picture of the social challenges of the era.”–Publishers Weekly on To Find Her Place

Grab A Copy Here

My Review

I have really enjoyed the Redemption’s Light series. This is the third and final book and my personal favorite of the series.
As with all the books in the series it takes place in Canada and features the hardships of unwed pregnant mothers in the 1940’s.
Yes, there are hardships and flawed characters but I enjoyed seeing the transparency of the characters because we are all flawed and it makes the characters more relatable and realistic. With his guidance we are all redeemed and forgiven.
The personal growth was phenomenal to see for our young expectant mother and the maturity and responsibility the youngest brother shows is very admirable.
The story is very inspirational and I enjoyed it a lot.

Pub Date: 05 Jul 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

About The Author

Susan lives in a suburb near Toronto, Ontario, Canada, where she works part-time as a church secretary. She is a wife and the mother of two amazing kids, and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA). In addition to writing, she likes to scrapbook and to research her family history on-line. You can connect with her on Facebook or on her website http://www.susanannemason.net.

Thank you for stopping by today. Enjoy your day.

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A Castaway in Cornwall by Julie Klassen-Review

About The Book

Laura Callaway daily walks the windswept Cornwall coast, known for many shipwrecks but few survivors. She feels like a castaway, set adrift on the tides of fate by the deaths of her parents and left wanting answers. Now living with her parson uncle and his parsimonious wife in North Cornwall, Laura is viewed as an outsider even as she yearns to belong somewhere again.

When ships sink, wreckers scour the shore for valuables, while Laura searches for clues to the lives lost. She has written letters to loved ones and returned keepsakes to rightful owners. She collects seashells and mementos, and when a man is washed ashore, she collects him too.

As Laura and a neighbor care for the castaway, the mystery surrounding him grows. He has abrasions and a deep cut that looks suspiciously like a knife wound, and he speaks in careful, educated English, yet his accent seems odd. Other clues wash ashore, and Laura soon realizes he is not who he seems to be. Their attraction grows, and while she longs to return the man to his rightful home, evidence against him mounts. With danger pursuing them from every side, will Laura ever find the answers and love she seeks?

My Review

One of my favorite authors, though I may be behind in my reads I will always read every book I can get my hands on by this author.
This book is set on the windswept Cornish coast. The area has quite a few shipwrecks and many of the areas inhabitants are known to have lost a loved one to these wrecks. Very atmospheric, you can feel the wildness of the wind tossing the ships about.
As the ships sink wreckers search the area for valuables that have washed ashore.
The man Laura rescues from the shipwreck near her Cornish home is surrounded in mystery, who is he and why does he have strange injuries on his body? The romance between Alex and Laura, the woman who rescues him after the shipwreck near her Cornwall home. I also enjoyed reading about the Cornish coast and it’s rugged storms. Atmospheric and full of interesting characters the plot kept me entertained and I found it hard to put down.

Published December 1st 2020
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Grab A Copy Here

About The Author

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. She worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her novels have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. She has also won the Minnesota Book Award, the Midwest Book Award, and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award. Julie is a graduate of the University of Illinois. She and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota. Visit http://www.julieklassen.com and talesfromivyhill.com for more information.

Thank you for visiting today. Stay cool and hydrated on these hot days.

Let me know in the comments if you’d read this book. Do you have a favorite book by this author?

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Can’t Wait Wednesday

I can’t wait for Worthy of Legend by Roseanna M. White. I’ve been reading her books for years. Every book just gets better than the last.

Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released. It’s based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. If you’re continuing with WOW, feel free to link those up as well! Find out more here.

Bethany House Publishers Publish Date September 13,22 368 pages

About The Book

1906

After a summer of successful pirate-treasure hunting, Lady Emily Scofield and her friends must hide the unprecedented discoveries they’ve made, thanks to the betrayal of her own family. Horrified by her brother, who will stop at nothing to prove himself to their greedy father, Emily is forced to take a stand against her family–even if it means being cut off entirely.

Bram Sinclair, Earl of Telford, is fascinated with tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table–an interest he’s kept mostly hidden for the last decade. But when a diary is unearthed on the islands that could lead to a secret artifact, Bram is the only one able to piece the legends together.

As Bram and Emily seek out the whereabouts of the hidden artifact, they must dodge her family and a team of archaeologists. In a race against time, it is up to them to decide what makes a hero worthy of legend. Is it fighting valiantly to claim the treasure . . . or sacrificing everything in the name of selfless love?

What are you looking forward to reading soon? Let me know in the comments.

Thank you for stopping by. Have a cool,relaxing day.

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Can’t Wait Wednesday-My name is Ona Judge

Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released. It’s based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This is a new to me author but when I saw it the book looks really good. Available on Netgalley if you’re interested.

Description

New Hampshire, 1796. “My name is Ona Judge,and I escaped from the household of the President of the United States. I was the favored maid of George and Martha Washington, but they deemed me a slave and thought me property, and I hear ten dollars is offered as reward for my capture. Now I must write the truth that I have lived, and tell my story…”

Chincoteague, Virginia, present day. Rain soaks Tessa Scott as she runs from her car to the old, vine-covered property she has been called to survey. She’s too busy to accept a new job, but doing this favor for the grandmother of her childhood sweetheart delays a painful decision she must make about a future with her controlling boyfriend.

But when Tessa finds a tattered journal carefully hidden inside the house’s ancient fireplace, the tragic story of how Ona was ripped from her mother’s arms to live and work in the palatial Mount Vernon, and the heart-shattering betrayal that led her to risk her life and run, has Tessa spellbound. Could discovering this forgotten scandal at the heart of her nation’s history force her to confront her own story? As she races to reach the final page, will anything prepare her for the desperate moment when Ona’s captors find her again? Will it inspire Tessa to take ownership of her own life and set herself free?

A completely heartbreaking tale of love, loss and redemption, based on an astonishing true story from the founding of America. Perfect for fans of Before We Were Yours, Marie Benedict and America’s First Daughter.

310 pages Bookouture Publisher Pub date 06 Sep 22 Grab A Copy Here

I hope your week is going well. What are you looking forward to reading ? Let me know in the comments.

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Top Ten Tuesday-Seasonal TBR Lists I haven’t gotten to yet

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl
Today’s topic is all about those seasonal TBR lists I still haven’t had a chance to read yet. My TBR list is from NetGalley and I have quite a few I haven’t gotten to yet. If only they’d stop putting such great books on there maybe I’d stop requesting them.

Winter Requests

Dec 2020

Jan 2021

Jan 2021

Spring Requests

March 2021

Apr 2021

May 2021

Summer Requests

June 2021

July 2021

Aug 2021

Autumn Request

Sept 2021

Thank you for stopping by today. Would you like to see a review soon for any of these? Have you read any of these titles? What are some back titles on your list?

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Top Ten Autumn books I’m excited to read

Top ten books with Autumn in the title

I just love Summer and the fun activities it brings but I also look forward to the cooler days of Autumn. Here are my top ten book covers with Autumn in the title. Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Visit to discover many blogs to visit.

Autumn Grace

Autumn Skies

Autumn Leaves at Mill Grange

Lost Autumn

Autumn Alibi

A Promise In Autumn

Autumn In Venice

Squirrel In Autumn

The Bookshop on Autumn Lane

Autumn Getaway

Look at these beautiful covers. Have you read any of these or would you like to read any of them? What are you excited to start reading?

Thanks for stopping by. Try to keep cool and have a marvelous day.

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In Royal Service To The Queen by Tessa Arlen-Review

About The Book

“Engrossing. Fans of The Crown will devour this.”–Publishers Weekly

The revealing story of Queen Elizabeth II’s beloved governess, Marion Crawford, who spent more than sixteen years of her life in loyal service to the royal family and was later shunned by those she has loved and served.

Marion Crawford can remember each of the wonderful years when she was governess to the little Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret Rose: included in their lives, confided in, needed, trusted, and loved. These memories will never dim, ever. In Marion’s mind, she will always be their Crawfie.

But things become increasingly complicated as the young royals navigate adulthood. It is May 1945 and Princess Elizabeth–the heiress presumptive to the British throne–has fallen in love, and the only member of her family who is happy for her is her governess. No one in the young princess’s life thinks that Prince Philip of Greece would be a suitable husband for the future Queen of England. No one that is, except for Marion Crawford.

Crawfie wholeheartedly supports Elizabeth in her determination to marry Philip. She too has fallen in love–and has convinced her fianc�, George, that they must wait for Elizabeth and Philip to receive the King’s blessingbefore she can leave her service to the Crown.

Over the next two years Crawfie is caught between loyalty to Princess Elizabeth; running the risk of alienating her royal employer, Queen Elizabeth; and losing the man she loves. But as Crawfie prevails to marry George and stands with him in Westminster Abbey on Elizabeth and Philip’s wedding day, she is unaware that her troubled relationship with Queen Elizabeth is far from over. And just around the corner is a betrayal that will sever her bond with the royal family forever. 

My Review

Engrossing book. Though being an American I don’t closely follow the Royal family I always appreciate a well researched book.
This is a fictionalized story told by the governess of the queen-to-be, Elizabeth and her sister Princess Margaret Rose. It tells of their formative years as girls and follows them through school,home life,meeting Phillip,heartaches and happiness. Though it may sound like a glamorous life the governess gave up having the privacy of her own life. She also, much to the dismay of the man who loved her postponed marriage for a good many years to serve this family.
The author’s writing style comes off strong and very thoroughly researched.

Published June 29th 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Grab A Copy Here

About The Author

British born Tessa Arlen came to the U.S. in 1980 and worked as an H.R. recruiter for the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee for the 1984 Olympic Games, where she interviewed her future husband for a job. She lives with her husband and two corgis in the high desert of the Southwest, where she gardens in summer and writes in winter.

Thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderful weekend.

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Can’t Wait Wednesday!

Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released. It’s based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine.

This week I’m featuring an author who I’ve read most of her books. She is an incredibly talented writer and the covers of her books are so beautiful.

Worthy Of Legend Roseanna M. White Pub date Sep 13,2022 Bethany House Publishers

Grab A Copy Here

About The Book

1906

After a summer of successful pirate-treasure hunting, Lady Emily Scofield and her friends must hide the unprecedented discoveries they’ve made, thanks to the betrayal of her own family. Horrified by her brother, who will stop at nothing to prove himself to their greedy father, Emily is forced to take a stand against her family–even if it means being cut off entirely.

Bram Sinclair, Earl of Telford, is fascinated with tales of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table–an interest he’s kept mostly hidden for the last decade. But when a diary is unearthed on the islands that could lead to a secret artifact, Bram is the only one able to piece the legends together.

As Bram and Emily seek out the whereabouts of the hidden artifact, they must dodge her family and a team of archeologists. In a race against time, it is up to them to decide what makes a hero worthy of legend. Is it fighting valiantly to claim the treasure . . . or sacrificing everything in the name of selfless love?

What book are you looking forward to reading? Let me know in the comments below.

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Where The Road Bends by Rachel Fordham-Review

My Review

What an absolutely incredibly eye opening book.
I am loving that it takes place in Iowa as well. (My daughter lives there.)
This book is about hope,dreams,forgiveness,strength,compassion,understanding and faith.
We seem to all start out with dreams and so many times things don’t go as we plan and we give up.
Dreams here go astray as well and our main characters, whom I just love by the way are flexible and change with their dreams. Their relationship is strong, nurtured by faith,love,compassion,strength and really listening to what each other as to say and adjusting the relationship with this.
Dreams change and need to be nurtured. What was important at one time may no longer as important but we give love and respect to new dreams coming in.
I absolutely loved seeing the child in this book going from a street urchin to a well behaved,secure in his surroundings, part of a family person.
The growth we see in the characters is fantastic. Heartwarming book. I do believe this is my favorite the author has written. It’s a very strong story.

Pub Date 07 Jun 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

GoodReads Synopsis

As Norah King surveys her family land in Iowa in 1880, she is acutely aware that it is all she has left, and she will do everything in her power to save it–even if that means marrying a man she hardly knows. Days before her wedding, Norah discovers an injured man on her property. Her sense of duty compels her to take him in and nurse him back to health. Little does she realize just how much this act of kindness will complicate her life and threaten the future she’s planned.

Norah’s care does more than aid Quincy Barnes’s recovery–it awakens his heart to possibilities. Penniless and homeless, he knows the most honorable thing he can do is head on down the road and leave Norah to marry her intended. But walking away from the first person to believe in him proves much harder than he imagined.

Rachel Fordham invites you to experience the strength and beauty of love forged in the crucible of hardship in this heartwarming story. 

Grab A Copy Here

About The Author

Rachel Fordham has long been fascinated by all things historical or in the words of her children “old stuff”. Often the historical trivia she discovers is woven into her children’s bedtime tales. Despite her love for good stories she didn’t attempt writing a novel until her husband challenged her to do so (and now she’s so glad he did). Since that time she’s often been found typing or researching while her youngest child naps or frantically writing plot twists while she waits in the school pick-up line. In addition to her passion for storytelling she enjoys reading, being outdoors and seeing new places. Rachel lives with her husband and children on an island in Washington state.

Learn more about current projects at rachelfordham.com

May your day be blessed. Thank you for stopping by.

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First Line Friday- The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle

Happy Friday & welcome to the First Line Friday hosted by Carrie at Reading is my Superpower.  It’s time to grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line. Today, I’m featuring the first line of The Wedding Dress Circle by Jennifer Ryan which published May 31,2022.

I have been on a roll recently reading historical fiction and look forward to reading this one.

First Line

“I found it” the Reverend Ben Carlisle’s voice called from the attic.

About The Book

Three plucky women lift the spirits of home-front brides in wartime Britain, where clothes rationing leaves little opportunity for pomp or celebration—even at weddings—in this heartwarming novel based on true events, from the bestselling author of The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir.

After renowned fashion designer Cressida Westcott loses both her home and her design house in the London Blitz, she has nowhere to go but the family manor house she fled decades ago. Praying that her niece and nephew will be more hospitable than her brother had been, she arrives with nothing but the clothes she stands in, at a loss as to how to rebuild her business while staying in a quaint country village.

Her niece, Violet Westcott, is thrilled that her famous aunt is coming to stay—the village has been interminably dull with all the men off fighting. But just as Cressida arrives, so does Violet’s conscription letter. It couldn’t have come at a worse time; how will she ever find a suitably aristocratic husband if she has to spend her days wearing a frumpy uniform and doing war work?

Meanwhile, the local vicar’s daughter, Grace Carlisle, is trying in vain to repair her mother’s gown, her only chance of a white wedding. When Cressida Westcott appears at the local Sewing Circle meeting, Grace asks for her help—but Cressida has much more to teach the ladies than just simple sewing skills.

Before long, Cressida’s spirit and ambition galvanizes the village group into action, and they find themselves mending wedding dresses not only for local brides, but for brides across the country. And as the women dedicate themselves to helping others celebrate love, they might even manage to find it for themselves.

Grab A Copy Here

Let me know your first line in the comments below.

Have a wonderful day. Thanks for visiting.