"Keturah," by Lisa T. Bergren

"Keturah," by Lisa T. Bergren

In 1772 England, Lady Keturah Banning Tomlinson and her sisters find themselves the heiresses of their father's estates and know they have one option: Go to the West Indies to save what is left of their heritage.

Although it flies against all the conventions, they're determined to make their own way in the world. But once they arrive in the Caribbean, conventions are the least of their concerns. On the infamous island of Nevis, the sisters discover the legacy of the legendary sugar barons has vastly declined--and that's just the start of what their eyes are opened to in this harsh and unfamiliar world.

Keturah never intends to put herself at the mercy of a man again, but every man on the island seems to be trying to win her hand and, with it, the ownership of her plantation. She could desperately use an ally, but even an unexpected reunion with a childhood friend leaves her questioning his motives.

To keep her family together and save the plantation that is her last chance at providing for them, can Keturah ever surrender her stubbornness and guarded heart to God and find the healing and love awaiting her?

This is the first book in "The Sugar Baron's Daughters" series and it does pave the way for the other books in the series.  I learned a thing or two about the sugar plantations of Nevis; as I knew nothing about any of that.  The depth of character that the author gave Keturah was very realistic and made you want to help her with all the problems she encounters along the way.

It's no real surprise to see how this book ends, it's an entertaining book and one with plenty of ups and downs.  It was a pleasant book to read over a couple of afternoons, but will I remember it in the next month or so; probably not.

Stars out of 5 : 4 Interesting book where I learned something new.  I would like to read the others in the series when they come out, just to see what happens with Keturah's sisters.  This would make a great book to read when relaxing on the beach or by the pool.  A nice light read.

"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".

"I will not fear," by Melba Pattillo Beals

"I will not fear," by Melba Pattillo Beals

In 1957, Melba Beals was one of the nine African American students chosen to integrate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.

But her story of overcoming didn't start--or end--there.
While her white schoolmates were planning their senior prom, Melba was facing the business end of a double-barreled shotgun, being threatened with lynching by rope-carrying tormentors, and learning how to outrun white supremacists who were ready to kill her rather than sit beside her in a classroom. Only her faith in God sustained her during her darkest days and helped her become a civil rights warrior, an NBC television news reporter, a magazine writer, a professor, a wife, and a mother.

In I Will Not Fear, Beals takes you on an unforgettable journey through terror, oppression, and persecution, highlighting the kind of faith we all need to survive in a world full of heartbreak and anger. She shows how the deep faith we develop during our most difficult moments is the kind of faith that can change our families, our communities, and even the world.

Encouraging and inspiring, her story offers hope that faith is the solution to the pervasive hopelessness of our current culture.

This was such an interesting book.  Something that I thought about time after time while reading this was how could all this happen to her and how had she the strength not to give up.  Her faith was so solid that it almost didn't seem real at times, but it was.  I kept thinking to myself, how I wish my faith was that strong.

I was surprised at how much racism she is still experiencing, especially when trying to rent a house.  I did not know about the Little Rock nine, and so that was also an eye opening experience to learn about.

This book is an easy read, a bit lacking in details in some areas, but overall a book that shows you what God can do if you have faith, and Melba has faith an inordinate amount of faith.

Stars out of 5 : 4 An enjoyable book, where you will learn a lot of things.

"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".

"Oath of Honor," by Lynette Eason

"Oath of Honor," by Lynette Eason

A murdered partner. A missing brother. Will Isabelle's silence protect those she loves . . . or delay justice?
Police officer Isabelle St. John loves her crazy, loud, law-enforcement family. She knows they'll be there for her when things get tough. Like when her partner is murdered and she barely escapes with her own life.

Izzy is determined to discover exactly what happened, and her investigation sends her headfirst into a criminal organization, possibly with cops on the payroll--including someone from her own family. With her dead partner's brother Ryan, a handsome homicide detective, shadowing her every move, Izzy's head is spinning. How can she secure justice for her partner when doing so could mean sending someone she loves to prison? And how will she guard her heart when the man she's had a secret crush on for years won't leave her side?

How good was this book..........I read it in an afternoon and evening.  I couldn't put it down, I HAD to know what happened next.  The twists and turns in this book kept you on the edge of your seat and it wasn't until close to the end that I figured out who was behind everything.  I didn't want the book to end, that's how good it was.

Right from the very first page I was drawn in.  I loved how there are six siblings and you get to know each one of them a little bit, but it's mainly about Izzy in this book.  This is the first book in the "Blue Justice" series so I am hoping there is a book about each one of the siblings?  The next book to be released will be in July 2018 and features another sister Chloe.

Stars out of 5 : 5  It's been a while since I have enjoyed a book so much.  It has got a bit of everything in it, including romance, action, and intrigue.   I would highly recommend this book and will be looking forward to reading the next in the series.  Well worth the read.


"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 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".