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Wednesday 28 September 2022

By Way of the Moonlight

 

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For as long as she can remember, Allie Massey, a gifted physical therapist, has dreamed of making her grandparents' ten-acre estate into a trauma recovery center using equine therapy - a dream her grandmother, Nana Dale, embraced wholeheartedly. But when her grandmother's will is read, Allie is shocked to learn the property has been sold to a developer.

Decades earlier, headstrong Dale Butler's driving passion is to bring home the prized filly her family lost to the Great Depression, but with World War II looming, she's called upon in ways she never could have imagined. And while her world expands to include new friends and new love, tragedy strikes close to home one fateful night during the Battle of the Atlantic, changing her life forever.

As Nana Dale's past comes to light in Allie's search for answers, Dale's courage and persistence may be just what Allie needs to carry on her grandmother's legacy and keep her own dreams alive.

Review

By Way of the Moonlight is a sweeping tale that pulls on the heart-strings. As a horse-lover, I thoroughly enjoyed the central equine theme. I couldn't stop thinking about my own horse-filled days in my 20s and the richness my the feisty Thoroughbred mare had brought to my life.

This is a meaty novel, but in large part to the incredible unveiling of Dale's past. Dale's life journey takes on many twists and turns as she lives through the Great Depression and World War II. There are many little fascinating historical tidbits sprinkled throughout the pages of this book which highlight just how difficult those times were. Even within Dale's family, she struggles with her mother's expectations of their outward appearances to society even while Dale just wishes for endless days of riding with her beau. The familial and societal struggles brought such emotional depth to this story that kept me turning the pages until the satisfying end.

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



Where the Road Bends

 


Back Cover

As Norah King surveys her family land in Iowa in 1880, she is acutely aware that it is all she has left, and she will do everything in her power to save it - even if that means marrying a man she hardly knows. Days before her wedding, Norah discovers an injured man on her property. Her sense of duty compels her to take him in and nurse him back to health.  Little does she realize just how much this act of kindness will complicate her life and threaten her future she's planned.

Norah's care does more than aid Quincy Barnes' recovery - it awakens his heart to possibilities. Penniless and homeless, he knows the most honorable thing he can do is head on down the road and leave Norah to marry her intended.  But walking away from the first person to believe in him proves much harder than he imagined.

Review

Where the Road Bends is a very enjoyable sweet, historical romance. I particularly liked the heroine, Norah. She's spunky and determined and doesn't let much faze her. Rather, despite the trials she encounters in life, she plows ahead with an admirable determination and strong faith. This isn't your predictable western romance - it's one that is full of heart and a unique storyline. The hero and heroine are equally strong characters and I loved the light-hearted banter between them.

A wonderful read!

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