"River to Redemption," by Ann H. Gabhart

"River to Redemption," by Ann H. Gabhart

Orphaned in the cholera epidemic of 1833, Adria Starr was cared for by a slave named Louis, a man who passed up the opportunity to escape his bondage and instead tended to the sick and buried the dead. A man who, twelve years later, is being sold by his owners despite his heroic actions.

Now nineteen, Adria has never forgotten what Louis did for her. She's determined to find a way to buy Louis's freedom. But in 1840s Kentucky, she'll need all of the courage and strength she possesses--and more.

I found this book a very slow start, it took me a while to get immersed into it, but once I did I had to keep reading it to find out what happened next.  However what the really remarkable thing about this story is it is based on a true story.  The slave Louis did exist in real life and what he did during the cholera epidemic really happened.  Make sure you read the authors notes at the end.

The fact that Ann weaved this story around the true facts makes the book feel even more life like.  You can't help but love Adria and what she stands for.  The details that Ann adds to her books are what makes her writing so good and her books well worth reading.

Stars out of 5 : 4.5  I really struggled to get fully immersed into this book; otherwise I really enjoyed this story.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

Available at your favourite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"The Best of Intentions," by Susan Anne Mason

"The Best of Intentions," by Susan Anne Mason

She Swore to Protect Her Nephew at Any Cost. But What if That Price is a Chance at Love?
In the aftermath of WWI, Grace Abernathy is determined to reunite her family, crossing an ocean to convince her widowed sister to return home to England. Yet, in Toronto she discovers more tragedy--her nephew Christian in the custody of his paternal relatives, the formidable Easton family, who rejected Grace's sister because of her low social status.

Unconvinced the Eastons can be fitting caretakers, Grace uses an assumed name to secure the position of Christian's nanny and moves into the Easton estate. There she can observe the family up close, while ensuring Christian's well-being. In the course of her new role, she is shocked to find herself falling in love with Andrew Easton, the boy's guardian. Unfortunately, Andrew is promised to a spoiled socialite who is sure to make a terrible stepmother for Christian. Will Grace be able to protect her nephew . . . and her heart?

This is the first book in Susan's "Canadian Crossing," series and I have to say it was a good start.  The one thing you will say when reading this book is that the title of the book is very appropriate as all along Grace has only the best of intentions with what ever she does.  It may not appear that way all the time, but she has no malice in her heart.

You won't be overly surprised at how the story plays out, but there are a number of twists and turns that keep the story interesting.  It's one of those books where you don't really have to concentrate to keep up with the story. A nice light read is how I like to put it.

What also made it interesting was that the story was set in Toronto, so it felt very familiar.

Stars out of 5 : 4 A good book to pick up and read over a couple of days.  The next book in the Canadian Crossings series will be published in March of 2019.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"The Lady of Tarpon Springs," by Judith Miller

"The Lady of Tarpon Springs," by Judith Miller

In 1905 Tarpon Springs, Florida, Zanna Krykos values the independence her career as a lawyer gives her from her very traditional Greek family and the pressure they put on her to find a husband. When a friend inherits a sponging business, Zanna finds herself agreeing to run it for her . . . even though she doubts her legal skills make her qualified.

When offered the chance to lead a team of sponge divers to the United States, experienced Greek diver Nico Kalos can't imagine a better opportunity. But his excitement quickly quells when their team arrives only to discover that a young woman with no experience will be their boss. For the sake of his men and the families they support, he can't let the business fail.

But when both the business and the lives of the employees are threatened, can Zanna and Nico set aside their pride and come together to save what matters most?

I have to say this was an interesting book, as I didn't know that there was a sponge business in tarpon Springs.  The detail about that business was something new and I liked how the story intertwined the story of Zanna and Nico with the growing sponging businesses of Tarpon Springs.

There was enough ups and downs in the story for you to be kept interested in it, but the details were what captured my interest.  A bit of light heartiness was added with the Rochester sisters; and I think a book could be written just about them!  Make sure you read the note to reader, at the end of the book; again very interesting.

Stars out of 5 : 4 Easy book to read; not overly complicated and a different subject matter in the sponging business.  Perfect book to keep you entertained over an afternoon or two.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

3 Historical Romance Novellas of Everlasting Love

3 Historical Romance Novellas of Everlasting Love

Stories of Love That Will Last through Every Tomorrow
Karen Witemeyer, Jody Hedlund, and Elizabeth Camden are among the most acclaimed authors in the historical romance genre--their novels have won a RITA award, a Christy Award, a Christian Book Award, and multiple Carol Awards. These beloved writers offer for the first time ever in print three unforgettable historical novellas that celebrate true love:

Karen Witemeyer's "Worth the Wait" takes readers to the Harper's Station women's colony, where a single mother must overcome pain and fears of the past in order to trust a gruff but kind freighter who has helped the women expand their business.

Jody Hedlund's "An Awakened Heart" follows a young widow into the shadows of New York's tenements, where she and a newly appointed minister spar over the best way to care for the poor and orphaned.

Elizabeth Camden's "Toward the Sunrise" finds a female medical student trying to overcome the ramifications of a decision that leaves her at the mercy of a stubborn but handsome attorney.

The neat thing about this book is there are three short stories from authors books I enjoy reading.  Also the stories are prequel's  to series they wrote.  So it's the best of both worlds; if you have already read the books in these series, you will be familiar with the characters and the set up of the stories.  If you haven't read anything by these authors, this will give you a taste of their writing and what their following books in their series will be all about.  Win, win in my opinion.

Each story is only a novella, so doesn't take a lot of reading, so you can read one story one day, save another for another day.  You don't have to read them in sequence, as each one is by a different author.  Falling in love is the common theme for all three novella's along with faith.

Stars out of 5 : 5 Loved reading these novellas.  Great that they were all in one book.  Brought back memories of each of the series that I have read.  Well worth reading.  This was my first experience reading a novella, and I hope it won't be my last as I thoroughly enjoyed reading these ones.


"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"The Accidental Guardian," by Mary Connealy

"The Accidental Guardian," by Mary Connealy

She's the Only Witness to a Wagon Train Attack. Keeping Her Safe, Though, Means His World Is about to be Turned Upside Down.
When Trace Riley finds the smoldering ruins of a small wagon train, he recognizes an attack by the same group who left him as sole survivor years ago. Living off the wilderness since then, he's finally carved out a home and started a herd--while serving as a self-appointed guardian of the trail. He'd hoped the days of driving off dangerous men were over, but the latest attack shows otherwise.
 
Deborah Harkness saved her younger sister and two toddlers during the attack, and now finds herself at the mercy of her rescuer. Trace becomes an accidental guardian when he offers the only shelter for miles around and agrees to take them in until they can safely continue their journey. His simple bachelor existence never anticipated kids and women in the picture and their arrival is unsettling--yet enticing.
 
Trace and Deborah find themselves drawing ever closer as they work together to bring justice to the trail and help the group survive the winter--but every day closer to spring means a day closer to leaving the mountains forever.

This is the first book in the "High Sierra Sweethearts" series and what a good start.  Loved all the characters and and the story line for this book.  How Trace and Deborah met had you rooting for them right from the start.  The small details that Mary added just made the story even more believable.  At times you felt as though you were right with them going through what they were going through.

There were a number of ups and downs and a couple of little surprises interspersed in among it all.  I learned a little about the Lake Tahoe, Nevada area; an area I am not at all familiar with.  One thing I really enjoyed was Trace's total bewilderment with all things female.  Made for a number of rolling your eyes moments.

Stars out of 5 : 5 Really enjoyed this book, managed to read it in one day, when I had set aside to read, it was that good.  The second in the series will be released in October of 2018 and I for one will be reading it.  Great book and well worth reading; and funnily enough I am not a huge Western/Cowboy fan.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"A Most Noble Heir," by Susan Anne Mason

"A Most Noble Heir," by Susan Anne Mason

When stable hand Nolan Price learns from his dying mother that he is actually the son of the Earl of Stainsby, his plans for a future with kitchen maid Hannah Burnham are shattered. Once he is officially acknowledged as the earl's heir, Nolan will be forbidden to marry beneath his station.

Unwilling to give up the girl he loves, he devises a plan to elope--believing once their marriage is sanctioned by God that Lord Stainsby will be forced to accept their union. However, as Nolan struggles to learn the ways of the aristocracy, he finds himself caught between his dreams for tomorrow and his father's demanding expectations.

Forces work to keep the couple apart at every turn, and a solution to remain together seems farther and farther away. With Nolan's new life pulling him irrevocably away from Hannah, it seems only a miracle will bring them back together.

I enjoyed this book.  Loved how the author made the characters come alive and feel very real.  I enjoyed the back story of Nolan and Hannah.  My only criticism is the way the "miracle" was written in, not making it very believable in my opinion.  

The relationship between the father and son was written well.  There was enough drama in the story to keep it interesting.  I enjoy the Victorian time period and I enjoyed how the author added all the extra details to the story to make it even more true to life.

Stars out of 5 : 4.5  For the most part the story was great and you ended up rooting for Nolan and Hannah.  It's not a mystery as to how the book will end.  It's a great book to read while on vacation, as the story is easy to follow.


"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".

"A Chance at Forever," by Melissa Jaegars

"A Chance at  Forever," by Melissa Jaegars

Determined to protect the children of Teaville, Kansas, from the bullying she experienced as a child, Mercy McClain finds fulfillment working at the local orphanage and serving on the school board. When Aaron Firebrook, the worst of her childhood bullies, petitions the board for a teaching position, she's dead set against his getting the job.

Aaron knows he deserves every bit of Mercy's mistrust, but he's returned to his hometown a changed man and is seeking the forgiveness of those he wronged. He doesn't expect Mercy to like him, but surely he can prove he now has the children's best interests at heart.

Will resentment and old wounds hold them back, or can Mercy and Aaron overcome the past in time to battle the threats against the future of the town's orphans?

This is the third book in the Teaville Moral Society series and like the others was an entertaining book.  The main characters, were realistic and you could feel their pain and worry throughout the book.  It was one of my "shopping list" type of books where, it didn't require you to have to concentrate really hard to understand the story; making it a great book to take on vacation.

Stars out of 5 : 3 I enjoyed reading the book, but I am afraid I won't remember it in a couple of weeks.  It needed more depth to it and more of a plot line.  Some books I have a lot to write about when I have read them, this isn't one of those.  Well worth borrowing it from the library if you have a couple of free afternoons set aside to do some light reading.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc. 

Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".