Book Review: The Captain's Daughter

From the back cover

London, 1879

Forced to Leave All She Loves Behind, She Seeks a New Life in a City Bursting with Opportunity, But Fraught with Danger
When a series of circumstances beyond her control leaves Rosalyn Bernay alone and penniless in London, she chances upon a job backstage at a theater putting on the most popular show in the city. A talented musician and singer, she feels immediately at home and soon becomes enthralled with the idea of pursuing a career on the stage. That is, as long as the shadows from her past don't catch up with her.

After a hand injury forces Nate Moran from his army regiment in India, he returns home to London, a place that holds bitter memories. He agrees to fill in temporarily as a stagehand while his brother recuperates from a broken leg, but Nate is counting down the days until he can rejoin his regiment. His future is decided--until he meets a beautiful woman who has found a new lease on life in the very place Nate yearns to leave behind.

My Reflections:

The Captain's Daughter was a sweet historical fiction, laced with danger and hardships. I quite enjoyed the pace of the novel and was never left feeling bored.

I found the main character, Rosalyn Bernay to be endearing yet a tad naive considering the hardships she had faced in her life. She seemed to make the same mistakes with men over and over again. However, It all works out in the end and I suppose this progression is good for character development. Having been raised in an orphanage Rosalyn is no stranger to overcoming tough situations, she continues to bravely move forward in her life despite her many struggles.

Nate Morgan is still reeling from a past relationship, yet he is a steadfast and honorable character. I loved the stability he brought to the story. He was definitely the character you could count on to pull Rosalyn through her hardships. Nate's family was another win. They were ultra supportive and I loved their cohesive matchmaking schemes. Will Nate be able to overcome his hurt and guilt from the past in order to fully embrace his future?

This book was filled with interesting historical facts and people from the 1879's. I learned so much about the early days of theater and enjoyed delving into a subject I had not previously explored. This novel was quite a nice change of pace, a splendid summer read!

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

Jennifer Delamere

Jennifer Delamere's debut Victorian romance, An Heiress at Heart, was a 2013 RITA award finalist in the inspirational category. Her follow-up novel, A Lady Most Lovely, received a starred review from Publishers Weekly and the Maggie Award...

Continue reading about Jennifer Delamere

Book Review: With You Always

From the Cover:

Could Following the Opportunity of a Lifetime Cost Them the Love of Their Lives?
One of the many immigrants struggling to survive in 1850s New York, Elise Neumann knows she must take action to care for her younger sisters. She finds a glimmer of hope when the New York Children's Aid Society starts sending skilled workers to burgeoning towns out west. But the promise of the society's orphan trains is not all that it seems.

Born into elite New York society, Thornton Quincy possesses everything except the ability to step out from his brother's shadow. When their ailing father puts forth a unique challenge to determine who will inherit his railroad-building empire, Thornton finally sees his chance. The conditions to win? Be the first to build a sustainable community along the Illinois Central Railroad and find a suitable wife.

Thrown together against all odds, Elise and Thornton couldn't be from more different worlds. The spark that ignites between them is undeniable, but how can they let it grow when that means forfeiting everything they've been working toward?

My Reflection:

If I did one-word reviews, this would be my word: PERFECT!

Since a one word review just can't do this book justice, I shall commence. 

Jody Hedlund's newest book series "Orphan Train" has to be the best book I have read this year! I was so taken with the drama and plot that I simply could not put this one down! The characters were endearing and oh so perfect for the era. The setting was also so interesting, I know even the setting! If you have to pick just one book for this summer, I highly recommend it be this one!

Elise Neumann has the world upon her shoulders. Tasked to care for her younger siblings and two other orphan children she must do everything in her power to protect and care for the ones she loves. She does not want to find her wee family on the streets again. For a spell, the small family takes refuge with the Seventh Street Mission, where the kindhearted Miss Pendleton takes them all in and provides them with seamstress jobs, shelter, and warm food. The Seventh Street Mission was opened to provide prostitutes with more options to better their lives. Though Elise has not yet had to degrade herself in this way, she finds it hard to fit in with the other factory women as they feel her judgment keenly.

When the economic crisis hits and seamstress jobs dry up, Elise has no other option than join the trains heading West. Armed with a good reference of character Elise joins the New York Children's Aid Society and boards a train heading to newly built towns.

Thornton Quincy's only desire is to be found acceptable and pleasing to his father. His twin brother Bradford is everything Thornton is not. This is his last chance to prove to his father that he can be just as good if not better than his brother and perhaps win his approval just this once. 

However, the "challenge" is more than he imagined, to build a thriving town, marry someone he truly loves and do all this in six months! Will Thornton actually be able to win his father's approval before it's too late? Will his heart be able to fall in love with his high class intended, or will a poor German immigrant turn his world upside down and make his look deep inside himself for the answers?

I loved everything about this book and cannot wait until Hedlund's next installment is released! I am so intrigued with the subject matter of this new series and even enjoyed reading the author's note at the back describing the era of the Orphan trains. Oh please hurry Jody Hedlund, as I don't think I can wait for your next novel! What are you doing still reading this go order your copy today!

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

Jody Hedlund

Jody Hedlund is the author of over a dozen novels, including Love Unexpected, Captured by Love, Unending Devotion, The Preacher's Bride, and A Noble Groom, winner of the 2014 Carol Award for historical romance. She received a...

Continue reading about Jody Hedlund

Book Review: A Stranger at Fellsworth

From the Back

Could losing everything be the best thing to happen to Annabelle Thorley?

In the fallout of her deceased father’s financial ruin, Annabelle’s prospects are looking bleak. Her fiancé has called off their betrothal, and now she remains at the mercy of her controlling and often cruel brother. Annabelle soon faces the fact that her only hope for a better life is to do the unthinkable and run away to Fellsworth, the home of her long-estranged aunt and uncle, where a teaching position awaits her. Working for a wage for the first time in her life forces Annabelle to adapt to often unpleasant situations as friendships and roles she’s taken for granted are called into question.

Owen Locke is unswerving in his commitments. As a widower and father, he is fiercely protective of his only daughter. As an industrious gamekeeper, he is intent on keeping poachers at bay even though his ambition has always been to eventually purchase land that he can call his own. When a chance encounter introduces him to the lovely Annabelle Thorley, his steady life is shaken. For the first time since his wife’s tragic death, Owen begins to dream of a second chance at love.

As Owen and Annabelle grow closer, ominous forces threaten the peace they thought they’d found. Poachers, mysterious strangers, and murderers converge at Fellsworth, forcing Annabelle and Owen to a test of fortitude and bravery to stop the shadow of the past from ruining their hopes for the future.

My Reflections:

This is the third book In the Treasures of Surrey series. Although I have not read each one, this book was easy to follow and had just enough detail that I never felt lost or uninformed in the plot.
I love Sarh E Ladd, her writing style is oh, so enjoyable, with equal parts romance and mystery. Also, the storyline never comes off gushy, or over the top, it leaves just enough to the imagination. Balance this with the exact amount of mystery, and you have a well-proportioned novel that keeps you flipping the pages well into the night. I also enjoyed Ladd's characters they are self-sufficient, strong and not overly generalized.

Annabell was a genuinely sweet character, she was courageous and adaptable even though she was accustomed to living a pampered life.
After fleeing from a deplorable situation under the provision of her uncaring brother, Annabell must learn to adapt to a whole new lifestyle. With the help of Owen Locke, she escapes to her uncle's school at Fellsworth. Finally feeling like she has found a home and family she must gain her bearings and adapt to her new role as a teacher, and work for the first time in her life.

Owen Lock wants to live a quiet, peaceful life raising his daughter and perhaps purchase a piece of land of his own. When poachers threaten to ruin everything he has worked for and a certain maiden in distress snags his attention, his whole life is set on a path of twists and turns, can he catch who is responsible, keeping Annabell safe in the process?

This was a thoroughly enjoyable read, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a good Regency-era tale!


Book has been provided courtesy of Book Look Bloggers.

Book Review: Wings Of the Wind

From the Back:

Can vengeance give way to forgiveness when one woman's destiny becomes entangled with the very enemies she sought to destroy?
Motherless and raised alongside her brothers, Alanah, a Canaanite, is no stranger to fighting. When her father and brothers are killed in battle with the Hebrews, she disguises herself and sneaks onto the battlefield to avenge her family. The one thing she never counted on was surviving.

Tobiah, a Hebrew warrior, has spent his share of time on the battlefield and is shocked to find an unconscious woman among the casualties. Compelled to bring her to a healer back at the Hebrew camp, he's unprepared for the consequences of what he intended as an act of compassion.

In order to survive, Alanah must unite with her enemy. But will a terrible revelation drive her toward an even greater danger?

My Reflections:

I was overjoyed to receive the third and final edition in Connilyn Cossette's, "Out From Egypt" Series. It was a pleasure to be reacquainted with some of the characters from her previous books (Counted with the Stars, book one, Shadow of the Storm, book two). Shira, Kiya and Moriyah to name are some of my favorite characters in these past books. This book centers on a Canaanite woman named Alanah. Alanah is a woman determined to exact revenge, but the very people she is pursuing show her grace beyond anything she could ever imagine. 

Tobiah rescues Alanah off the battlefield out of protection and honor, not as a war spoil. The ramifications of his choice will be felt by many. (Deuteronomy 21: 10-14) 

 It is abundantly clear that Cossette does her research with these novels, she truly brings to life the essence of theses old testament stories with depth and imagination. 

I am overjoyed to have learned that Connilyn is already well on her way into another biblical series. I can't tell you how happy this makes me because these books really bring to life the actual biblical account. Her books spur me on to get out the Bible and devour the whole story in its entirety to back up the fictional account.

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

Connilyn Cossette

When she is not homeschooling her two sweet kids (with a full pot of coffee at hand), Connilyn Cossette is scribbling notes on spare paper, mumbling about her imaginary friends, and reading obscure, out-of-print history books. There is nothing she likes better...

Continue reading about Connilyn Cossette

Book Review: The Ebb Tide

From the Back:

Oh, to see the ocean, Sallie thought. And to spend the summer as a nanny. She shook her head in amazement. This seemed too good to be true, but she really must talk it over with Dat and Mamm, especially since she'd be gone so long. And after I promised Mamm I'd take baptism classes this summer . . .
The Ebb Tide

Sallie Riehl has dreamed of traveling at least once before settling down to join church, so she is thrilled at an unexpected summer opportunity to nanny in Cape May for a well-to-do family. However, saying even a temporary good-bye to Paradise Township means forgoing baptism another year, as well as leaving behind a would-be beau. Yet the weeks in Cape May soon prove unforgettable as Sallie meets a Mennonite young man whose friendship she quickly begins to cherish. Has she been too hasty with her promises, or will she only find what her heart is longing for back home?

My Reflections:
Beverly Lewis is the queen of Amish fiction. I never tire of her writing style and how she brings to light the realities of the Amish way of life.
This novel was a real treat to read. I live near the ocean, so it was a pleasure to read a story with this kind of beautiful backdrop.

Lewis's newest book was not all beauty and sandy beaches, it held heartache, life changing decisions and coming into one's own. I was intensely immersed in the emotions this book held and was not sure it would all turn out the way I expected it to, but in the end, Lewis was able to gently unfurl the story and place the key elements perfectly.

Our main character Sally Riehl is part dreamer part wanderlust, she adamantly declares that she will join the church, but will she be able to bend her knee after testing the restraints and bounds, or will this experience be the catalyst for leaving her faith behind....

Being 19 and given the green light to take up a job as a nanny in Cape May, New Jersey is more than exciting, and Sally is reveling in all these new experiences. I adored how Lewis developed this character, her sweet nature her exuberance. She had real fears and struggles, and watching her follow God's call in her life was refreshing and uplifting. 

I loved that this was not typical Amish fiction. Finding ourselves and our own faith walk is a natural part of maturing, it was a joy to watch Sally find her way. Beverly Lewis did a marvelous job with another clean and uplifting read, I always know I can hand these books to my teen girl without fear of any impropriety. So if you are in the mood for another fantastic Beverly Lewis novel, this is it!
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc

Beverly Lewis

Beverly Lewis (www.beverlylewis.com), born in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, has more than 17 million books in print. Her stories have been published in twelve languages and have regularly appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including the New...

Continue reading about Beverly Lewis