"The House on Foster Hill," by Jaime Jo Wright

"The House on Foster Hill," by Jaime Jo Wright

Kaine Prescott is no stranger to death. When her husband died two years ago, her pleas for further investigation into his suspicious demise fell on deaf ears. In desperate need of a fresh start, Kaine purchases an old house sight unseen in her grandfather's Wisconsin hometown. But one look at the eerie, abandoned house immediately leaves her questioning her rash decision. And when the house's dark history comes back with a vengeance, Kaine is forced to face the terrifying realization she has nowhere left to hide.

A century earlier, the house on Foster Hill holds nothing but painful memories for Ivy Thorpe. When an unidentified woman is found dead on the property, Ivy is compelled to discover her identity. Ivy's search leads her into dangerous waters, resurrecting painful memories and forcing a reunion with the man who broke her heart. Can Ivy unravel the mystery and find a renewed hope before any other lives--including her own--are lost?

This book had plenty of things happening in it to make you pay attention and keep you thinking.  The mystery of both the women's stories and how they are connected keeps you on your toes.  I never did figure out who was who and what was what until it was revealed in the book.  When the mysteries were revealed it made you go, "oh wow, didn't see that coming,"

That being said this book was not my cup of tea.  The whole going back and forward between the two stories I found annoying, and confusing in some places.  Parts of the book made no sense at all too me and I would have preferred if this were two books telling separate stories of both Ivy and Kaine.

Stars out of 5 : 3 I am glad I read it, but it felt more like a chore reading it, than an enjoyable read.  There is another book being released by the same author in 2018, which sounds like a similar theme.  It's called: "The Reckoning at Gossamer Pond;" I think I will be giving it a miss.

"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 Dangerous Legacy," by Elizabeth Camden

"A Dangerous Legacy," by Elizabeth Camden

Telegraph operator Lucy Drake is a master of Morse code and has made herself a valuable asset to the Associated Press news agency. But the sudden arrival of Sir Colin Beckwith at rival British news agency Reuters puts her hard-earned livelihood at risk. Colin is talented, handsome, insufferably charming--and keeping a secret that jeopardizes his reputation.

Despite their rivalry, Lucy can't deny that Colin has the connections she needs to give her family an edge in the long legal battle they've been waging over their rightful inheritance. But when she negotiates an unlikely alliance with him, the web of treachery they dive into proves to be far more dangerous than they ever could have known.

I really enjoyed this book while I was reading it.  I enjoyed the differences between the American's and the British.  There was plenty of adventure and mystery to keep this book interesting.  I enjoyed how the author weaved into the story true historical facts and occasions.  

I would never have though of putting together plumbing and two different news agencies into a story.  Also now know more about sewers than I really want to know😊  Touching on the subjects of asylum's and tenement building of the early 1900's in New York added another dimension to the story.

Stars out of 5 : 4.5 Overall a good book and one that will keep you entertained.  I will admit I read this a couple of weeks before I wrote this review and just looking at the front cover of the book I had trouble remembering what it was all about, but when I read the back cover the story line all came back to me.  I would love to read the next book about Lucy's brother Nick, which will be published in 2018.

"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".

"Where We Belong," by Lynn Austin

"Where We Belong," by Lynn Austin

In the city of Chicago in 1892, the rules and expectations for Victorian women are strict, their roles in life limited. But sisters Rebecca and Flora Hawes are not typical Victorian ladies. Their love of adventure and their desire to use their God-given talents have taken them out of society ballrooms and delivered them to the Sinai Desert--and into the teeth of a sandstorm.

Accompanied by Soren Petersen, their somber young butler, and Kate Rafferty, a plucky street urchin learning to be their ladies' maid, the two women are on a quest across the desert chasing rumors of an important biblical manuscript.

As the expedition becomes ever more dangerous and uncertain, all four travelers sift through memories and adventures of their past, recalling the events that shaped them and the journeys and providence that brought them to this very time and place.

I both loved and hated this book, which of course makes no sense what so ever, right?  The two lead characters, were great and I loved the details of their adventures and lives.  I felt though that the stories of Soren and Kate didn't really add anything to this book.  Yes, I would have included them as characters but I would not have given them complete chapters to tell their background stories.  I was bored reading about Soren.

I felt as though Soren and Kate would have been better to have had their own book.  However their story went one way then another, which again I thought was strange.

Rebecca and Flora's story though was very interesting and was well worth reading. Rebecca was an inspiration and Flora's heart and goodness showed no bounds, she was a good person through and through, as was Rebecca.

Stars out of 5 : 3 Please read the author notes at the end of the book, as this book is inspired by "real" people.  I am glad I read the book, but wouldn't want to read it again; as it was I will admit to skipping parts of the chapters that were about Soren's early childhood.  Something I don't normally do.

"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 Plain Leaving," by Leslie Gould

"A Plain Leaving," by Leslie Gould

Three years ago, Jessica Bachmann walked away from everything: her family, their beloved farm, her Amish community, and Silas Kemp. After clashing with the new bishop and her brother about her role in her family and the future of the family farm, anger and restlessness wouldn't allow her to stay.

When she is forced to return home because of her beloved father's death, her arrival stirs up all kinds of emotions--sorrow, grief, and yearning alike. Jessica knows things can't return to the way they were, but, especially upon seeing Silas again, she can't help wonder what might have been--and what still could be. The stakes grow higher when she learns that her brother, Arden, is still pursuing potentially hazardous fracking on the family's land.
As Jessica wrestles with her next step, she learns the cautionary tale of Ruby Bachmann, a Revolutionary War-era ancestor who faced similar struggles. Will Ruby's decisions motivate Jessica to leave her family, the land, and her community forever? Or is there healing, love, and belonging yet to come for her in Lancaster County?  

This book tells two stories side by side of Jessica and Ruby, one set in the present day,Jessica; and one set in the 1700's, Ruby.  Honestly I am not a huge fan of a story skipping back and forward, add to the fact that this particular book took me a couple of chapters to really get into, this book was hard work to start with.

However, after a few chapters I began to get the feel of the book and I did want to know what was going to happen next.  I never did guess what would happen in the end, but will say I was very pleased with the out come.

Stars out of 5 : 3.5  This is the first book in The Sister's of Lancaster County series, with the next book due out in the middle of 2018.  If you enjoy Amish stories and a bit of history you would probably enjoy this book.  I know I won't remember reading this book in a week or two so am not overly bothered if I don't read any more of the series.  It's an easy read though so a good one to pick up and read in a couple of afternoons.

"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".