Book Review: The Lacemaker

From The Back:

It is the eve of a new age of freedom in the colonies. 

But can a proper English lady dare hope for her own independence?
Lady Elisabeth "Liberty" Lawson has nearly everything a lady of her position could want. Daughter of the British lieutenant governor of the Virginia Colony and a darling of fine society in a rugged land, she is anticipating an advantageous marriage. That her betrothed is a rake and love is lacking is of little consequence--or so she tells herself.

Though her own life seems in order, colonial Williamsburg is a powder keg on the verge of exploding, and her fiancé's cousin Noble Rynallt carries the flame of revolution in his heart. Those with connections to the British nobility are suspected as spies, and Liberty soon finds herself left with a terrible choice. Will she stay true to her English roots? Or side with Noble and the radical revolutionaries?

My Reflections:

Was this novel really a little over 400 pages, really? 
Time stood still as I devoured this classic Frantz novel! Such a funny phenomenon because when I started the novel I felt a little detached from the main character Lady Elizabeth, who evolved into "Liberty." I think the fact that in the beginning of the story, poor subdued and controlled Elizabeth was a pawn in society, something I just can't stomach. 
As her ordinary and orchestrated life crumbles, I find I like this character more and more, no I love this firey and coming into herself woman! Go, Lady Elizabeth, yes you can make decisions, it's right there for you! God gave you a brain use it wisely, oh right he also gave you a heart so love fully, not out of obligation! I digress...ops!

Nobel Rynnalt takes after his name, he is noble, kind and so dashingly sweet! I was oh so glad to see the end of The scoundrel, Miles Roth. Good riddance to his wandering eyes and stiff posturing. 
This sweet story is really about becoming the courageous person God intended and living out your life in HIS glory. 

Will Lady Elizabeth follow her dreams, or will she follow her overbearing father? Can Nobel walk through the fire and be strengthened or will he sway and follow protocol? 

Ready to be pulled into a different era, loose time without realizing it, well here you go friends. This book has the literary elements that will keep you reading, beautiful setting, plot, characterization, conflict, history, romance and coming of age drama.

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

Laura Frantz is a Christy Award finalist and the ECPA bestselling author of several books, including The Frontiersman's Daughter, Courting Morrow Little, The Colonel's Lady, The Mistress of Tall Acre, A Moonbow Night,...

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Book Review: Holding the Fort

From The Back:

With Miss Bell as the Teacher, Everyone's Bound to Learn an Interesting Lesson
Dance hall singer Louisa Bell has always lived one step from destitution. When she loses her job at the Cat-Eye Saloon, she has nowhere else to go but to her brother, a cavalry soldier stationed in Indian Territory. But he's run afoul of his commanding officer. Unsure what she can do to help him and desperate for a job, she doesn't protest when she's mistaken for a governess at the fort. How hard can teaching really be?

Major Daniel Adams has his hands full at Fort Reno, especially raising two adolescent daughters alone. If this new governess doesn't work out, his mother-in-law insists she'll raise the girls herself--far away from the fort. Miss Bell bears little resemblance to Daniel's notion of a governess--they're not supposed to be so blamed pretty--but he finds himself turning a blind eye to her unconventional methods. Louisa has never faced so important a performance. Can she keep her act together long enough to help her brother and to secure the respectable future she's sought for so long?

My Reflections:

This comical book about mistaken identity, romance and wild misadventures kept me entertained thought its entirety!

From page one to the last you are transported into Loisa Bells shoes. How I enjoyed this character! 

One thing leads to another when a dance hall singer turn governess has to tame two wild children, along with their handsome father, Major Daniel Adams. 

Loisa (Lola) never wanted to be a dance hall singer, but circumstances forced her hand, that same fate has brought her to find her brother for help. Having lost her job to a younger girl Loisa must find a solution to her dilemma. While en route to the Fort, she comes across a governess who must turn back due to allergies, Loisa promises to pass along the teaching materials. Upon her arrival, Loisa is mistaken for that very governess, in desperation she goes along with the rouse, but soon after as she develops a bond with the family, the weight of her deception presses upon her.
Will she be able to come clean? Can Daniel ever trust or forgive her?

This was such a fun story, though I found the plot predictable in nature the story was cute and quirky and certainly kept me entertained. The romance was well written, realistic, honoring and clean. Both characters had their flaws, which made them endearing and real. As usual Regina Jennings delivers another hit with this one, I would expect nothing less.


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

Regina Jennings

Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a minor in history. She's the winner of the National Readers' Choice Award, a two-time Golden Quill finalist and a finalist for the Oklahoma Book of the Year Award....

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Book Review: The Ladies of Ivy Cottage

From The Back:

Return to Ivy Hill as friendships deepen, romances blossom, and mysteries unfold . . .
A gentlewoman in reduced circumstances, Miss Rachel Ashford lives as a guest in Ivy Cottage. With her meager funds rapidly depleting, she is determined to earn her own livelihood . . . somehow. Her friend Jane Bell and the other village women encourage her to open a circulating library with the many books she's inherited from her father. As villagers donate additional books and Rachel begins sorting through the volumes, she discovers mysteries hidden among them. A man who once broke her heart helps her search for clues, but both find more than they bargained for.

Rachel's hostess, Mercy Grove, has given up thoughts of suitors and finds fulfillment in managing her girls school. So when several men take an interest in Ivy Cottage, she assumes pretty Miss Ashford is the cause. Exactly what--or whom--has captured each man's attention? The truth may surprise them all.

My Reflections:

Welcome back to Ivy Hill and all the ladies of Ivy Cottage.
This second book, in my opinion, is even better than the first. All the key elements are hit with this one, romance blossoms, mysteries are unleashed and friendships are made stronger.

The storylines center around Rachel and Mercy, who both find themselves with love interests and both find themselves in challenging situations that present themselves in all sorts of creative manners. 

Rachel is cleaver and resourceful, her subscription library has the whole town talking. Will she be able to make it successful and in the process become more independent and self-assured? Will she get her second chance at romance, or will her fear and grief hold her back?

Mercy's heart yearns for a family of her own. Pouring her heart into the school for girls helps hone her passion and ease her pain, yet what awaits her? Will a secret foil her attempts to love and care for a wee one all her own?

This being the second book in the series and it following right along without much preamble, I would not categorize this as a stand-alone. I feel to get the most out of it you should read these in order starting with her first in the series. 
I enjoyed all the many layers of this novel, it has much to offer. Although it takes a bit to get going once you adjust to the style and pace I am sure you will enjoy the ride. Expect some of the threads to be left unwound, I personally dislike cliffhangers, but I am sure Klassen's next book has everything neatly sewn together. Although I must admit it seems oh so far away at this very moment!
If you love Jane Eyre style reads you will most likely enjoy this authors style and pace. A great end of the day read!

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

Julie Klassen

JULIE KLASSEN loves all things Jane--Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full-time. Three of her books, The Silent Governess, The Girl in the...

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Book Review: NIV Thinline Bible

Book Description

The NIV Thinline Bible captures the depth and beauty of the Bible, in a take-anywhere size. With a new custom typeface, this Bible delivers a more pleasant reading experience, making it even easier to understand God’s Word.

My Reflections:

I was thrilled to receive this Bible for many reasons, a few of which are it is the absolute perfect size to travel with you to church or in an oversized purse, but not so small that you are not comfortable reading it. 
I loved that it was the NIV version with a super easy readable 9.4 font size. My favorite aspect of this Bible is that it is Indexed!! I can never find indexed Bibles, and I love it. Having the index makes finding scriptures a snap!

Though this version is simple in design and does not come with a lot of the extras, I think is the perfect blend of functionality and simplicity. One other great feature in this Thinline Bible is that it has two ribbons to mark your place, now that's handy!

All in all, I am loving this Bible a fantastic addition to any home, office or as a gift.

I received this Bible free of charge in return for my honest review from the Book Look Bloggers program, thank you Book Look!

Book Review: All She Left Behind

From the Back:

"Once again, Jane Kirkpatrick creates a bold and inspiring woman out of the dust of history. Jennie's triumph, in the skilled hands of one of the West's most beloved writers, leaves its mark on your heart."--Sandra Dallas, New York Times bestselling author

Already well-versed in the natural healing properties of herbs and oils, Jennie Pickett longs to become a doctor. But the Oregon frontier of the 1870s is an unforgiving place--especially for a single mother. To support herself and her young son, Jennie finds work caring for an older woman. When her patient dies, Jennie discovers that her heart has become entangled with the woman's widowed husband, a man many years her senior. Their unlikely romance may lead her to her ultimate goal--but the road forward is uncertain. 

My Reflections:
Stories with history and substance always delight my senses, this one was a real treasure!
Filled with drama and heart-tugging reality. "All she Left Behind," will move readers to re-evaluate their notions about the bonds of love and the journey to get there. 

I absolutely adore Jane Kirkpatrick's ability to research women of the past and embody their essence into the pages of her novels. Rich with texture and emotion this book will touch your heart and propel the pages forward with ease. 

This story was raw with emotion for me, having just lost a loved one to addiction, the storyline hit its mark with clarity. Addiction affects families everywhere, it's nothing new as we see with the plot in this novel, it is heartbreaking and tears families apart.  

Jennie is a single mother whose strength and determination are inspiring and uplifting. Her story starts out slowly but subtly builds into a well thought out and rounded plot.There were some unexpected twists and turns, and I truly enjoyed being part of Jennie's journey.

Kirkpatrick also delves into the aspects of divorce, a women's role in business and health care, all in the historically accurate time period of the 1800's! 
If you are looking for a moving story centering on faith, overcoming one's past, never giving up all the while living with grace and love, this story is for you!

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

Jane Kirkpatrick is the New York Times and CBA bestselling author of more than 30 books, including A Light in the Wilderness, The Memory Weaver, This Road We Traveled, and A Sweetness to the Soul, which won the prestigious Wrangler...

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