The Stars Above Northumberland

I have to admit it. I'm guilty.

Guilty of being hooked on what some might label the genre as Traditional Regencies! Fans of Jane Austen's novels and fans of Downton Abbey understand exactly what I am saying. It is a genre like any other because of the social implications for women back in the 1800's. Women had little to say in the way things were handled and often time had very little to do except accept what social standards dictated at the time.

For Meriwether Sturgess, that was a life of seven years to a mean man whom she married that had one persona on the outside and another in the quiet confines within his home and in their marriage. That is why it came as no shock when the man died quite unexpectedly leaving her not only a widow and single mother to their two children, but also the large financial inheritance she would assume or rather oversee until her son Crispen was old enough to assume the responsibilities of running the Sturgess finances and holdings.

But for Meri, she simply planned carefully for the last seven years, holding back a small fund from her husband's allotment of her monthly expenses to keep up appearances for both herself and the children. Along with the jewelry he bestowed upon her, she kept it all hidden until the day she could change both her own circumstances and that of her children. She shared no affections for her husbands family and couldn't wait to leave the estate under the guise of needing to get away and be with her family to deal with her grief. There was no turning back for Meri.

Now she has returned to live with her Aunt Annabel at the Rosewell Manor and finds a bit of a surprise to learn that her childhood friend, Elliot Rosewell has returned as well and he hopes to find a second chance at love with Meri and her two children, something he has deeply regretted for those same seven years, watching her go and marry another man, while he had to deal with his own broken heart. But like all great romances, there are bound to be complications which work against our dear couple in an effort to keep them apart but will these secrets truly be the ones that keep their love from full blossoming?

I received The Stars Above Northumberland by Anita Stansfield compliments of Covenant Communications. I absolutely LOVED this entire novel, although at the beginning there are parts of the novel that appear repetitive as though you just read the same pages previously. Once you get pass those however, you find yourself ever rooting for our beloved couple and know that Meri's quick departure will not be a lasting one. No one can ever truly run from their pasts. I have loved reading Anita Stansfields novels and now anxiously await each new one she pens. I easily give this one a 4.5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

For more information about The Stars Above Northumberland, Anita Stansfield or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Stars Above Northumberland by Anita Stansfield

You can find Anita Stansfield on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Stars Above Northumberland, please visit Covenant Communications website. 

Christmas Grace

Looking for some Christmas stories guaranteed to pull on your heart strings? Are you a fan of Traditional Regencies? Then you will love Christmas Grace, a compilation of four novellas written by four talented authors, Jennifer Moore, Krista Lynne Jensen, Anita Stansfield, and Chalon Linton. Not only are there four incredible Christmas tales tucked inside, but also a listing accompanying each of the writers novella's sharing other great books that they have written, just in case you find yourself wanting a bit more. All four novellas take place during the Christmas season and offer readers not only a touch of romance, but a theme of grace in each one.

Let Nothing You Dismay by Jennifer Moore conveys a couples plans to escape into the night and journey onward to adventures across the continent until an unexpected delay causes them to both consider that they other had a change of heart. Can the explanation reunite them again 8 years later?

Christmas at Canterwood by Krista Lynne Jensen addresses a young governness who makes plans with the help of handsome vicar to surprise the children's parents who are due to arrive home just in time for Christmas.

Winter Angel by Anita Stansfield shares a heartwarming tale of a young woman who wants to help the impoverished people in town with more than tasty treats her family makes each day at the local bakery. She finds a wounded man she has seen on each of her travels and feels a connection between them that surpasses human logic.

Christmas Grace by Chalon Linton portrays a young widow who has spent the last year in mourning for her husband and wants to carry on his tradition of bring Christmas spirit to those in her hometown, yet when an unexpected accident leaves her stranded in a wealthy mans estate, could God have planned a divine appointment instead?

I received Christmas Grace by Jennifer Moore, Krista Lynne Jensen, Anita Stansfield and Chalon Linton compliments of Covenant Communications. These stories are so amazing that you feel like you are getting a full length novel instead of a short novella. Reminders of Charles Dickens and Jane Austen a breathed into each and readers will find themselves transported back in time when love was in the air and the Spirit of Christmas Hope and Grace remains alive even to the least of them. I easily give this one a 5 out of 5 stars in this reader's opinion and will now be searching out their other books to add to my personal library.

For more information about Christmas Grace, Jennifer Moore, Krista Lynne Jensen, Anita Stansfield, Chalon Linton or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Christmas Grace by Jennifer Moore, Krista Lynne Jensen, Anita Stansfield, and Chalon Linton

You can find Jennifer Moore on Facebook, to stay up to date with all her latest novels. 

You can find Krista Lynne Jensen on her blog to stay up to date with all her latest books.

You can find Anita Stansfield on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest books.

You can find Chalon Linton on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest books.

For more reviews on Christmas Grace, please visit Covenant Communications website.

Lily of the Manor

Lily Broadbent isn't what society would deem as a proper English lady. To begin with her appearance is striking that those that see her believe she is a witch or something other than a woman based on her pure white hair, pale complexion and blue eyes. She also lives alone as a widow in Broadbent Manor with her servants and a collection of children she has taken into her home from orphanages. She believes that since she has been left with all her wealth and no heir to take over, she will do her best to ensure that every child she feels God has placed in her path will get a good education, food and a place to live where they can be loved. She only needs to find a tutor that can handle her brood of 11 orphans.

Frederick Woodstone is hoping to get the job as a tutor at the Broadbent Manor since leaving his vocation as a vicar. He only hopes that he can make a good enough impression that will win him favor to become an employed again. Unfortunately with no money to his name, he is forced to walk to Broadbent Manor in all his finery and wouldn't you know it, it begins to pour. He only hopes that the head of the house will understand why he couldn't afford to take a carriage. He is surprised to learn that Lily is the head of the house and even more surprised that he will not be teaching her children but a group of orphans in what can only be described as an ideal school room filled with everything he could possibly dream of to teach these young wards.

He just doesn't plan on falling in love not only with Lily, but also each of the eleven children, now under his tutelage. However when Lily's generosity garners the best of her intentions of taking food and supplies to a local family, she learns they all have the chicken pox, but she has not. Knowing that if anything should happen to her, she would lose custody of all the children she makes plans to put everything in Frederick's name, but even that won't curb her anxiety of losing everything she has worked so hard for. Is there another way?

I received Lily of the Manor by Anita Stansfield compliments of Covenant Communications. In accordance with the new FTC Guidelines for blogging and endorsements, you should assume that every book reviewed here at Reviews From The Heart was provided to the reviewer by the publisher, media group or the author for free and were received, unless specified otherwise. This is such a brilliantly written book that conveys what the meaning of forgiveness really means according to the ideas outlined in the Bible. Lily learns from Frederick how to communicate openly and how to draw people into a conversation with honesty and compassion and in time Frederick learns what truly motivates Lily to be so generous not only with her wealth but in the way she treats anyone she comes into contact with. Truly a beautiful story of unconditional love and forgiveness. I can't wait to read more by this author and this one deserves a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

For more information about Lily of the Manor, Anita Stansfield, or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Lily of the Manor by Anita Stansfield

You can find Anita Stansfield on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest books.

To read more reviews on Lily of the Manor, please visit Covenant Communication's website. 


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