Honor Bound

Back Cover

It may seem odd to seek peace by moving to a war-torn African country, but for medical missionary Dr. Cynthia Myers, it provided a way to escape a shallow life of unearned wealth, a philandering fiancé, and a father now square in the public eye as vice president of the United States. At least here she knows her work and life have meaning. but all that is thrown into chaos when she fails to save the life of a warlord's mortally wounded son.

As part of the Army Special Forces A-Team on a mission to capture and subdue the warlord, Captain Rick Norton is compelled to use deadly force to save Cynthia's life. Enraged at the violence she witnessed and riddled with guilt that men died because of her, Cynthia doesn't want to life anything about Rick and his team - but an unexpected attraction is taking hold.

With two members of his team badly injured and rebels in hot pursuit, Rick will have to drawn upon all his strength and cunning to get her out alive...because he's beginning to think that, despite their differences, they just may be able to make a life together.

Review

This was quite the adventure story! Just when you think everyone is safe, yet another crisis happens. I thoroughly enjoyed this action-packed read supported by a strong cast of characters. Cynthia and Rick are the perfect juxtaposition of main characters. She's a pacifist and he's a soldier. Her Dad is the Vice-President of the United States of America, and could become his Commander-in-Chief. And yet, they develop feelings for each other. Given their vastly different backgrounds and beliefs, can they actually have a future together? And is their budding romance just a fleeting desire coming out of a near-death situation? Or something deeper and long-lasting? Not to mention - how are they going to get out of the jungle alive? These questions and more swirl together throughout the pages of this fast-paced suspense novel.  A fantastic read! I will definitely be picking up books 2 and 3 in Hallee Bridgeman's "Love & Honor" series.

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

When the Day Comes

 

Back Cover

Libby has been given a powerful gift: to live one life in 1774 Colonial Williamsburg and the other in 1914 Gilded Age New York City. When she falls asleep in one life, she wakes up in the other. While she's the same person at her core in both times, she's leading two vastly different lives.

In Colonial Williamsburg, Libby is a public printer for the House of Burgesses and the Royal Governor, trying to provide for her family and support the Patriot cause. The man she loves, Henry Montgomery, has his own secrets. As the revolution draws near, both their lives - and any hope of love - are put in jeopardy.

Libby's life in 1914 New York is filled with wealth, drawing room conversations, and bachelors. But the only work she cares about - women's suffrage - is discouraged, and her mother is intent on marrying her off to an English marquess. The growing talk of war in Europe only complicates matters.

But Libby knows she's not destined to live two lives forever. On her twenty-first birthday, she must choose one path and forfeit the other - but how can she choose when she has so much to lose in each life?

Review

Brilliant. Amazing. My brain is tripping over how to express how much I adored this book! From the strikingly unique premise, to the cliff-hanging conflicted, and strong message of resting in God's sovereignty, When the Day Comes has sky-rocketed itself to my favourite read of 2022 (and my top-ten list of all time). It's THAT good! With a story jam-packed with TWO thrilling adventures and more than a few surprises, this is far from your typical historical romance. The two timelines the author chose encapsulated countries on the cusp of war, cultivating a tense plot that made this book so hard to put down. I was growing rather unsatisfied with only being able to read snatches of the story at a time in my busy schedule, so I made a date with this book and parked myself in the patio chair one night, determined to not put it down until I finished the last page! Of course, finishing this incredible story brought rather turbulent emotions and my only consolation to my sadness was knowing this is the birth of a new series. I cannot wait to continue this time-travel journey! 

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

The Nature of a Lady

Back Cover

Lady Elizabeth "Libby" Sinclair, with her love of microscopes and nature, isn't favored in society.  She flees to the beautiful Isles of Scilly for the summer and stumbles onto the dangerous secrets left behind by her holiday cottage's former occupant, also named Elizabeth, who mysteriously vanished.

Oliver Tremayne - gentleman and clergyman - is determined to discover what happened to his sister, with the help of the girl now living in what should have been Beth's summer cottage...especially when he realizes it's the curious young lady he met briefly two years ago, who shares his love of botany and biology.  But the hunt for his sister involves far more than nature walks, and he can't quite believe all the secrets Beth had been keeping from him.

As Libby and Oliver work together they uncover ancient legends, pirate wrecks, betrayal, and the most mysterious phenomenon of all: love.

Review

Roseanna M. White is one of my favourite authors, and she does not disappoint with The Nature of a Lady, the first novel in her brand new series, "The Secrets of the Isles". First off, I have to say the cover is absolutely GORGEOUS! Kudos to the design department for pulling together such a beautiful cover!

The mystery and intrigue I came to know and love in two of the author's previous series, "Shadows over England" and "The Codebreakers", shine through in this new adventure story revolving around pirates, hidden treasure, and lost love. Libby's character is incredibly endearing as she struggles to stay true to the pursuit of her own dreams despite the society and family pressures dictating otherwise. Oliver becomes a safe harbor for her - someone who shares her scientific passions and encourages those within her, as opposed to stifling. 

The storyline was incredibly fun and adventurous more characters enter into the fray in a single-minded pursuit of long-lost treasure. The author intricately wove a thread of suspense throughout the pages, keeping the tension taut until the final chapter. There were a number of plot twists and surprises along the way that were fantastic. Loved this novel and cannot wait to read the next instalment in the series!

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

The Thief of Blackfriars Lane

Description

Radical. Bold. Fearless.

Sometimes there’s a fine line between a criminal and a saint…

but on which side of the line is the Thief of Blackfriar’s Lane?

Constable Jackson Forge is determined to make the world a better place. But the streets of Victorian London are Kit Turner’s domain, a self-proclaimed Robin Hood who runs a crew that acquires money the old-fashioned way—conning those with wealth to give to those who don’t.

When a local cab driver goes missing, it’s Jackson’s task to find the man…and the only way is by enlisting Kit Turner’s help. With Jackson’s job precariously close to termination, he convinces a reluctant Kit to help, reminding her that refusal means turning her in for thievery.

Neither of them realize the worst of their problems still await…

Review

What a fun, rollicking adventure tale! Michelle Griep takes readers on a wild ride throughout the cobblestone streets of London in 1885 where pickpockets were aplenty and corruption rampant.

Constable Jackson Forge wants to right all the wrongs and haul to jail the thieves and criminals roaming the streets. He meets his match with Kit Turner, a crusader of the poor and downtrodden, who uses her wits and street smarts (along with a little bending of the rules) to buy food and medical supplies for those in need. Jackson and Kit join forces in an effort to solve a case of a missing jarvey. Jackson needs to find the man in order to save his career and Kit, with her reputation and savviness is able to get them wherever they need to go. Their investigation takes them all over the streets of London, even into the belly of the sewers as they leave no stone unturned in their quest to find the man and bring him back home to his anxious wife.

Full of fast-paced action (and more than one wrong turn), The Thief of Blackfriars Lane was easily one of my favourite, entertaining reads of 2020. Looking forward to more novels from this author!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Barbour Publishing Inc. for an advance copy of this book to read and provide my true and honest opinion thereof.

Mark of the Raven

Back Cover

Lady Selene is heir to the House of Ravenwood and the secret family gift of dreamwalking.  As a dreamwalker, she can enter a person's dreams and manipulate their greatest fears or desires.  Soon after the gifting, however, Selene discovers that the Ravenwood women have been secretly using their gift to gather information or to assassinate those responsible for the fall of House Ravenwood to the Dominia Empire hundreds of years ago.

 

As she becomes more entrenched in Ravenwood's dark past, Selene longs to find out the true reason behind her family's gift, believing that its original intent could not have been for such evil purposes, but she is torn about upholding her family's legacy - a legacy that supports her people.  Selene's dilemma comes to a head when she is tasked with assassinating the one man who can bring peace to the nations - but who is also prophesied to bring about the downfall of her own house. 

 

One path holds glory and power and will solidify her position as Lady of Ravenwood.  The other path holds shame and likely death.  Which will she choose?  And is she willing to pay the price for the path chosen?

 

Review

 

I find fantasy novels can be very hit and miss.  Either the author re-writes the same story that has been written so many times over, or creates a story so "original" or different, that it is difficult to follow or engage in as the world system is so complex and/or there are way too many main characters and plots that as a reader, you feel you need some sort of map or encyclopedia to the story in order to follow along. 

 

However, I can safely say that Mark of the Raven hits the ball out of the park.  The storyline is perfectly unique, and for a lack of better term, so utterly cool.  As I was reading the book, all of my expectations were blown away by the originality of the plot, the ease of following the plot, awesome characters, and the detailed setting.  Mark of the Raven is the perfect adventure story with a kick-butt female lead, strong male counterpart, classic battle of good v. evil, family tensions, impossible choices, and special "secret" gifts. 

 

The back cover of the book gives a great synopsis without giving much away, so rather than run the risk of giving any spoilers, I will not add to it.  All I can say is this: Mark of the Raven was awesome read.  I cannot wait for the second book!!

 

 

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

 

Keturah

Back Cover

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?

Review

I've been a fan of Lisa T. Bergren's work for awhile now.  Her series, "Rivers of Time" is one of the best young adult works I've ever read.  Seriously.  You don't have to been a young teen to enjoy a sweeping, romantic, suspenseful, time-travel series!  So it was with great expectations that I began reading Keturah, the first novel in "The Sugar Baron's Daughters" series.  I'm happy to report that I was not disappointed!

With breath-taking descriptions, Bergren draws readers back in time to the 1700s, the time of slavery, dangerous travel in the high seas, unpredictable occupations of running a sugar plantation, and when death by fever was a very real probability.  It required a certain kind of man to have the strength and courage to make a living by harvesting sugar cane in a land where law and order was quite questionable, and for a woman to embark on such an adventure would be seen as nothing short of foolhardy.  Because of these elements, Keturah is everything an adventure story needs to be.  It is dramatic, loaded with solid, spiritual gems, romantic, thrilling, and all together page-turning.  In fact, I've already started to read through it a second time (and am enjoying it just as much)! 

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

The Mark of the King

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After the death of her client, midwife Julianne Chevalier is imprisoned and branded, marking her as a criminal beyond redemption.  Hoping to reunite with her brother, a soldier, she trades her life sentence for exile to the fledgling French colony of Louisiana.  The price of her transport, however, is a forced marriage to a fellow convict.

New Orleans is nothing like Julianne expects.  The settlement is steeped in mud and mosquitoes, and there is no news of her brother, Benjamin.  When tragedy strikes, she turns to military officer Marc-Paul Girard for help, but does he know more about her brother than he will admit?

With her dreams shattered, Julianne must find her way in this dangerous land, where only grace - and love - can overcome the stigma of the king's mark on her shoulder.

Review

My goodness, was this one an incredible tale!  The Mark of the King brings readers back in time to early 1700s where North America was very slowly being colonized by various European countries.  One of the ways of colonization that was used, was (force) marrying men and women prisoners (!!!), shipping them off to the New World, and plunking them into a small, starving village to make a life for themselves all the while trying to stay safe from warring Native tribes.  Sounds rather dream-worthy, eh?  In reading this story, I couldn't help but shake my head in disbelief that this was all TRUE and had actually happened!  

In addition to the eye-opening history lesson, The Mark of the King had a fascinating plot that had me turning the pages as fast as I could.  The author surprised me with her various twists and turns and kept me thoroughly intrigued with Julianne's story.  It was an amazing historical piece of fiction and I will definitely be checking out other books by the author!

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

The Captain's Daughter

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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 years to leave behind.

Review

The historical novels that have been recently released from Bethany House have been fantastic so far!  The Captain’s Daughter is a wonderfully written story set in London in 1879 where family and jobs meant everything.  Without a respectable job, it was so easy to fall into poverty and hardship, and therefore being easily susceptible to persons with devious intentions.  Similarly to With You Always, after reading The Captain’s Daughter, it provided me with a newfound thankfulness for the blessings in my life…and more than one nudge to “pay it forward”.

One thing that also struck out to me in the novel was the wonderful cast of characters!  The friends that Rosalyn makes at the theater were all unique, eccentric, and highly entertaining.  Nate’s family was so warm and friendly, that you wished you could bring them to life.  I thoroughly enjoyed the engaging characters and hope many of them make appearances throughout the series.

The story had adventure, romance, intrigue, and a strong dose of drama.  It was a great well-rounded novel and I can’t wait for the next instalment!

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

A Moonbow Night

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After fleeing Virginia, Temperance Tucker and her family established an inn along the Shawnee River.  It's a welcome way station for settlers and frontiersmen traveling through the wild Cumberland region of Kentucke - men like Sion Morgan, a Virginia surveyor who arrives at the inn with his crew, looking for an experienced guide.

Though he balks when Tempe is appointed to lead his team through the wilderness, it isn't long before Sion must admit that her abilities may outmatch his own.  But can the tenuous tie they are forming survive the dangers waiting just around the bend?

Review

Laura Frantz brings her readers into a perilous wilderness where looking over your shoulder for danger is as much of a habit as having a coffee with your breakfast.  A place where "friends" and "allies" don't always stay true, and often the only thing you have left to hold onto is faith.

Tempe is a strong woman, able to and track with the best of them.  Her skills were born of necessity in order to survive in the beloved woods she calls home.  She has a fiercely loyal spirit to her family, and it is because of that, she becomes a tracker for Sion Morgan and his team.  Sion, an indomitable force himself, finds himself drawn to Tempe and dreaming of a life he thought he would never have.  

I greatly enjoyed Laura Frantz' A Moonbow Night with her almost poetic writing style with what felt like authentic dialogue that immersed me in a story of family, loyalties, Indian raids, dangerous wilderness, and love.  She has crafted a story that will snag a reader's attention from the very first page to the final word.  A great read.

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

Merchant of Alyss

Back Cover

When Hyam reluctantly returned to the Long Hall, he never imagined how his life would change.  Latent powers were honed, chance encounters brought new wisdom, and even love found a way into his heart.  With his wife, Joelle, he now makes a home in Falmouth Port.

Hyam is slowly recovering from his battles when a mysterious shipment of Milantian scrolls arrives.  Soon he is haunted by dreams of mythic beasts and coming conflicts.  When Joelle falls under a sorcerer’s spell, he must venture through the desolate lands to save her – and his community.

One particular scroll seems to hold the promise of new powers, but it also carries a hidden warning about an unfathomable threat.  As Hyam sets out on another journey, he is keenly aware that he must rely on all his abilities – and his forbidden past – to succeed.  His quest could bring deliverance…or devastation.

Review

Thomas Locke has written another fantastic adventure in this follow-up to Emissary, the first novel in the “Legends of the Realm” series. 

In Merchant of Alyss, readers again follow Hyam on an adventure as unrelenting dreams lead him to believe that evil is lurking, and his help is needed.  The journey takes a dark turn when when his wife, Joelle, is struck with a deadly spell.  It becomes a race against time to save his wife – and others.  Staying alive is no guarantee as the journey is fraught with danger from beasts, witches, vast desert lands, and dark magic.

Packed with exciting twists and turns, Merchant of Alyss is a great adventure read and I look forward to book #3!

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

A Worthy Pursuit

Back Cover

Stone Hammond is the best tracker in Texas.  He never comes home empty-handed.  So when a wealthy railroad investor hires him to find his abducted granddaughter, Stone eagerly accepts.

Charlotte Atherton, former headmistress of Sullivan’s Academy for Exceptional Youths, will do anything to keep her charges safe, especially the orphaned girl entrusted to her care.  Charlotte promised Lily’s mother she’d keep the girl away from her unscrupulous grandfather, and nothing will stop Charlotte from fulfilling that pledge.  Not even the handsome bounty hunter with surprisingly honest eyes who comes looking for them.

When Miss Atherton produces documentation that shows her to be Lily’s legal guardian, Stone must re-evaluate everything he’s been led to believe.  Is she villain or victim?

Then a new danger forces Charlotte to trust the man sent to destroy her.  Stone vows to protect what he once sought to tear apart.  Besides, he’s ready to start a new pursuit: winning Charlotte’s heart.

Review

Having read all of Karen Witemeyer’s previous novels, (most recent being Full Steam Ahead), I can safely say that she always delivers a good story.  One of Karen’s key characteristics is that her stories are typically full of humour and fun.  A Worthy Pursuit, however, took on a different tone.  A tad more serious, and almost suspenseful, it felt uniquely different from her previous works. 

But…

The change of tone in no way affected the quality of the story.  Rather, it felt just a natural extension of Karen’s writing style - something that I greatly appreciated.  Instead of falling into the trap of writing stories that all sound the same and no variance in character type, Karen has delivered a story that still has elements of wit and laughter, but also a dose of intrigue and action (the runaway wagon scene and shootout was fantastic!).

So, in diving into A Worthy Pursuit, you can be guaranteed an adventure, a sweet romance, and enough suspense to keep you intrigued.  A really good read!  

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