THE MAYFLOWER BRIDE

By

KIMBERLEY WOODHOUSE

"I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review." This was a nice story about Mary Elizabeth and her father and brother sailing to the New World for a better life. It tells about her hardships on the trip and the sicknesses all the passengers had to endure while on the ship. Mary Elizabeth finds a man she loves on the ship and plans to be married once they reach the New World. There were both sad times and happy times while on the ship and also when they reach the New World.

William is also traveling on the Mayflower to the New World. He is hired to keep records of the journey on the ship and when they reach the New World. While on the ship William finds love and plans to be married once they reach the New World. Peter is jealous because William was asked to keep records and not himself and he finds a way to make William look like a spy when they reach the New World. William thinks all the settlers he has traveled with does not want him around so he plans to leave on the Mayflower when the ship is due to leave and to leave the one he loves behind.

This was a story of romance, adventure, a little bit of history, and forgiveness.  I thought there should have been more historical information put in the book especially when they reach the New World and meet the Indians and a little more excitement rather than the romance. So I gave this book only a four star for that reason.

12 Days At Bleakly Manor Book Review

12 Days at Bleakly Manor

By

Michelle Griep

          “I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.”  Even though this was not my usual type of reading material the title caught my eye and sounded quite mysterious!  “12 Days at Bleakly Manor” was just that mysterious!

An unusual mystery where the characters are required to stay in a mysterious cold manor, a mysterious lion head with eyes that are watching you, and the person who is able to stay all 12 days ends up with a reward they are wanting.  Each character has their own hopes for their rewards.

Not only a story of mystery but of love, romance, danger, and patience.  It was fun to see which character would last until the 12^th day and receive their reward!  Better yet it would be so much fun to read each day during Christmastide which begins Christmas Eve and ends January 5^th and extend the suspense for those 12 long days!  

          

My Heart Belongs in the Superstition Mountains Book Review

MY HEART BELONGS IN THE SUPERSTITION MOUNTAINS

By

Susan Page Davis

          I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.  But after reading this book I thought it was well worth taking the time to write a review.

          I really enjoyed this book.  From the beginning of the book to the end it was full of Carmela’s adventures.  This was one of those books you didn’t want to put down once you started reading it. 

          Carmela’s parents had died on a wagon train west.  Her uncle came west to take custody of her.  Carmela’s uncle came up with a scheme for a way for Carmela to earn money for the two of them to live on.  After being held up by outlaws while on the stage coach Carmela was separated from her uncle.  She then realized  she was tired of telling lies and wanted to change her life.

          Marshall McKay was escorting a prisoner and was on the same stage coach with Carmela when it was attacked.  Together Marshall McKay and Carmela escaped alive and had many adventures while trying to get to Carmela to safety.  Even after Carmela was safely in Prescott the adventures never ended.

          I think anyone who enjoys reading about the pioneer days would enjoy reading this book.  It was hard to put the book down once you started reading.  Every page was full of adventure and toward the end a little romance.   

My Heart Belongs in Fort Bliss, Texas book review

My Heart Belongs in Fort Bliss Texas

By

Erica Vetsch

    I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.  However, I enjoyed the book very much so I decided to post a review.

    Priscilla heads to a military post in Fort Bliss, Texas to gain custody of her brother’s twins after both parents die unexpectedly.  Upon reaching Texas Priscilla finds out the twins are staying with their uncle, Major Ryder their mother’s brother, who is a doctor/surgeon in the army.  Priscilla’s plan is to take the twins back east to live with her, but Major Ryder plans to keep the twins with him in Fort Bliss, Texas as was the wishes of the twins’ parents.

    Since Priscilla was raised by her parents in a military setting and her father being killed while being in the military she hates anything having to do with the military.  Her memories of military life were unpleasant and Priscilla insists on taking the twins back east to be raised. 

     Major Ryder, however, is attached to the twins and insists on raising them according to their parent’s wishes, in the west on the military post.  Then something happens to change his mind.  Priscilla has also had a change of heart and an unexpected turn of events change the lives of Priscilla, Major Ryder, and the twins.

     I thought this book was interesting and I enjoyed reading it.    

The Seekers Review

The Seekers

By Wanda E. Brunstetter

            I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.  However, after reading the book I did chose to post a review since I really enjoyed the book.  It was a cute story about people gathering together learning to cook, deal with and solve problems, and plenty of adventure included in the book.

            The story is about an Amish woman who decided to start a cooking class.  She advertises about her class and ends up with a variety of people, who for different reasons, sign up for her class.  Besides learning how to cook they also learn about forgiveness and how to deal with the problems they have. 

            I thought this was an interesting book and I liked reading how everyone ended up dealing with and solving their problems.  I especially liked the recipes in the book the ones that were actually taught in the cooking class.  I think anyone who likes to cook, or likes to read about the Amish, or has a certain problem they are dealing with would enjoy this book.

Lisa Gill 

Waves of Mercy Book Review

Waves of Mercy by Lynn Austin

Book Review

Lynn Austin is one of my most favorite authors so I was very excited to become a member of her Waves of Mercy Book Launch Team and receive her latest book to read for a review!  I always look forward to a new Lynn Austin book and I was not disappointed in her new book, Waves of Mercy. 

Waves of Mercy is a wonderful story about two women.  Anna comes from a wealthy family and is running from her ex fiancé and trying to find the answers to who she is and where she came from, religious matters, and love.  While Anna is on her getaway she makes friends with Derk who is studying to be a minister.  Anna and Derk become good friends and Derk helps her to try to understand the matters of religion and love.

Geesje has been asked to write down her stories of when she emigrated from the Netherlands to America for the town’s centennial anniversary.  Derk reads the stories his Aunt Geesje has written and knows his Aunt Geesje could help his friend Anna.  Geesje tells an amazing story of her life and the meaning of true love.  Anna finally gets to meet Geesje and through Geesje finds out who she really is and where she came from and what true love really is.

This was an amazing story about love and faith.

To learn a little about Lynn Austin you can visit:

http://lynnaustin.org/about/

A Thousand Shall Fall by Andrea Boeshaar

    

     An interesting story during America’s Civil War!  Carrie Ann Bell wearing an old officer’s uniform she found at the Inn where she works leaves her family behind to look for her younger sister who has run away from home.    Carrie Ann finds herself in the middle of a battle between Union and Confederate soldiers.  Disguised as an officer she is arrested by the colonel of the Union Army for impersonating an officer.   After questioning and finding out the arrested disguised officer is a young girl, Colonel Collier keeps Carrie Ann as a prisoner for her own protection.   Carrie Ann helps the company doctor care for the injured and dying men that have been wounded in battle.   Carrie Ann and Colonel Collier end up forming a friendship during the time Carrie Ann is with the Union Army.  Since Carrie Ann is unable to return home without her sister and it is too dangerous for her to go out on her own looking for her sister Colonel Collier decides to send Carrie Ann to his aunt who he believes can help Carrie Ann find her sister and will keep Carrie Ann safe.  Colonel Collier is unable to take Carrie Ann to his aunt himself but believes he has found trusted Union scouts to take her to his aunt.  When Carrie Ann is introduced to the two scouts who are to take her to Colonel Collier’s aunt she is very surprised to look into the face of Major Joshua Blevens her friend since childhood and a Confederate officer who is disguised as a Union officer!  Joshua Blevens informs Carrie Ann of a devastating family secret kept from her all her life.   Carrie Ann arrives at Colonel Collier’s Aunt Ruth’s house where the city is inhabited by Confederate soldiers.  Aunt Ruth makes up a story to protect Carrie Ann which ends up becoming a reality after Union troops defeat the Confederates who inhabit the city where Carrie Ann is staying with Aunt Ruth.  Then danger comes to Carrie Ann when two Confederate soldiers barge into the home of Aunt Ruth.   Carrie Ann is devastated by all the events and ends up finding her sister on her own only to be devastated again.  

This was a very good story by Andrea Boeshaar that kept me in suspense.   A story of betrayal, love and forgiveness.  I will look forward to book two coming out in the fall of 2016.