Mist of Midnight

As long as we have someplace to call home, we have a sense of security no matter what happens in life. When Rebecca Ravenshaw left England years ago to work with her family as missionaries in India, she found a second home among the lower castes of people. People who appreciated what she did to improve their lives and it was those very same people who saved her life when the uprisings began. Her parents did not survive. All she had hoped was to head home and try to salvage something of the life she had known from her families home in Hampshire, England.

What she wasn't looking for was out right suspicion on who she claimed to be. Apparently for several months, Rebecca Ravenshaw had returned to Headbourne House along with her Indian maid and only recently died leaving the estate to the only heir left, Captain Luke Whitfield. With very little to prove she is who she claims, she visits Headbourne House and confronts Captain Whitfield. He agrees to give her time at the estate for her claims to be proven that she is who she claims without being left on the street with nothing and no one to care for her. He agrees to move to the guest home for the time being until their solicitor can iron out who gets the estate and all it's withholdings.

The more Rebecca digs into the mysterious death surrounding the women impersonating her, the most suspicious she becomes that the one did not commit suicide and may have been murder. But if that is the case, is she now running the same risk? Why would someone want Rebecca murdered? Who had the most to gain if she were dead? Does the charming and handsome Captain Whitfield have anything to do with the apparent ease at which he acquired the estate after the imposters death? What will happen if Rebecca can't prove who she is?

I received Mist of Midnight by Sandra Bryd compliments of Howard Books, a division of Simon and Schuster Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions contained here are my own. This is such a wonderful novel because it combines the aspects of a traditional regency alongside a bit of suspense and mystery. It keeps you guessing who is responsible until almost the very end and now I can't wait for more novels in this series. Rebecca Ravenshaw is the epitome of a strong women who isn't about to let her dire financial situation and what people think of her, keep her from taking back what is rightfully hers even if it means stepping on a few politically correct toes to do it. Hands down a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion. This is the first novel in the Daughters of Hampshire series!

For more information about Mist of Midnight, Sandra Bryd or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Mist of Midnight by Sandra Bryd

You can find Sandra Bryd on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Mist of Midnight, please visit Howard Book's website. 

The Mason Jar

While some have compared James Russell Lingerfelt's novel, The Mason Jar to Nicholas Sparks, I would beg to differ. While the story does deal with a love between college students Clayton Fincannon and Eden Valmont, I was missing something in the story that connected me to the plight that these two faced. Like all great love stories, Clayton, known as Finn, falls in love through a series of dates at Pepperdine College with Eden Valmont. They learn they share the same desire to work with underprivileged children in third world countries and both vow that their futures will be in the mission field.

The Mason Jar begins as Eden learns that Finn has written a book about their love story as she has made her way back to Pepperdine for a homecoming of sorts for alumni's and wonders if Finn still hold hard feelings towards her for abrupting ending their relationship in the form of a "Dear Finn" letter, never fully explaining the reason for leaving. The novel showcases that story as Eden spends time reading about his interpretation of their college romance and how he struggled to cope with the loss without really knowing why.

You learn that Finn tried to resolve some of those feelings by leaving for a mission trip to Africa to begin a microlending program there in hopes of truly helping the people. It turned out to be one of the most successful programs to date with a 98% success rate. But through it all, he could never resolve the feelings of love he still had in his heart for Eden. Something he tries hard to figure out in a series of letters he writes to his grandfather. When he was growing up they shared questions and answers by leaving a series of notes for one another in a glass mason jar. Those sagely letters are ones that Finn keeps with him as he tries to find a coping mechanism that will work to get Eden out of his head and heart. But like all great advice his grandfather dispense out, that isn't the case. He learns a lot from his grandfather in the process and finds himself coming home when his grandfather grows ill and subsequently passes away. It isn't until he is going through his grandfather's office that he finds the final letter that may allow him to finally move forward without simply forgetting the past.

I received The Mason Jar by James Russell Lingerfelt compliments of William and Keats Publishing and Litfuse Publicity as a complimentary copy for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own unless otherwise notated. I wish the novel were a bit longer to allow for further character development between Finn's grandfather, and between Finn and Eden. I am also confused by the issue that one back cover of the book it refers to Eden as Savannah when that name isn't mentioned in the book. A bit confusing for me as I began my journey into this novel at first.

There is some great advice I love that Finn's grandfather dispenses in his letters to Finn, my favorite being, "Remember we become what our minds dwell on. It's proven in cognitive psychology that if we dwell on negative thoughts, we become negative people. 'A man reaps what he sows." If we live in the past, in a world that we cannot change, we only grow estranged from the present. We stop growing and decay. If he past brings good memories, let them brighten your present day, but do not long for their return or dwell on them. For it is the present day that must be taken care of if we are to expect to live fruitfully tomorrow. "(pg 202).

With that being said, I rate this novel a 4 out of 5 stars and plan on keeping it on my permanent shelf not so much for the story content but for the advice I found in Finn's grandfather's letters. For more information about The Mason Jar, James Russell Lingerfelt, or where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

The Mason Jar by James Russell Lingerfelt

You can find James Russell Lingerfelt on Facebook to stay up to date on all his latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Mason Jar, please visit Litfuse Publicity's book tour page.


James Russell Lingerfelt's debut novel, The Mason Jar, is hot-off-the-press and causing quite the buzz. It's even been optioned for a feature film and is in pre-production.

Catch the spark by entering James' Kindle Fire giveaway!

 
One grand prize winner will receive:

• A Kindle Fire
• The Mason Jar by James Russell Lingerfelt

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on October 19th. Winner will be announced October 20th at James Russell's blog, Love Story from the Male Perspective. 

What Once Was Lost

Just looking at the title makes me want to think of the lyrics from Amazing Grace and the missing part is what you'll find in the latest novel from Kim Vogel Sawyer, What Once Was Lost. My husband even commented when I got this novel that I sure do have quite a few from Kim Vogel Sawyer and he's definitely right about that. She truly gets to the reader's heart once you enter the world of her historical novels. This one is definitely geared for fans that love a western flair and takes you back to the late 1890's in Brambleville, Kansas.

Christina Willems has taken over the care of Brambleville Asylum for the Poor, a home for those who need a place to live and a safe haven from the world around them that sees them as the outcasts of society. She inherited the position after the death of her parents, most recently her father and was raised in helping out those less fortunate than herself. She offers comfort to a group of poor and displaced individuals until something better comes along. Tommy Kilgore is the only blind boy and it seems he receives the worst kind of treatment by the people of Brambleville, who see him as the burden to society since he was in a boiler explosion and lost not only his eyesight but also disfigured part of his body. His parents abandoned him long ago with Christina and she's been trying to find a way to reach the part of his soul that lies buried deep inside. If only she could find a way to help.

When tragedy strikes the home through a fire that destroys the kitchen, Christina is forced to find temporary housing among the town's residents until the mission sends her the required funds to repair the home. She has found housing for everyone except Tommy and the last person on her list is the most unlikely of people to ask, mill owner Levi Johnson who prefers to be left all alone. Thankfully she manages to convince Levi it will only be temporary until she can find something else and it's during this time alone with Mr. Johnson, that Tommy is able to finally feel something more than simply a burden on anyone. Just what is it that Mr. Johnson does that draws Tommy out of his shell and will he be able to keep him there long enough for him to turn his life around? Just what caused the fire in the first place? Is it possible the reason Tommy fears returning back to the poor farm is that he has a secret he doesn't want revealed?

To find out, you'll have to pick up this heartwarming and emotionally moving story of renewal and restoration by Kim Vogel Sawyer. I received What Once Was Lost by Kim Vogel Sawyer compliments of Waterbrook Multnomah Publishers for my honest review and received no monetary compensation for a favorable one. I whole heartily give this one a well deserved 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion because the story is such a compelling one to immerse yourself in. You have to understand the timing in history in the late 1890's where a woman's place was not in running a business so the town isn't exactly thrilled that a poor farm in located in their small town and much worse that it is being run by a woman. Yet Christina is a fighter and a firm believer that God will give her whatever she needs to keep the poor house running and the family together despite whatever odds are against her, but can she fight the mission board as well? Is this God's true purpose in her life after all or one merely that Christina wants? You'll love exploring the answers in this wonderful novel.

For more information about What Once Was Lost, Kim Vogel Sawyer or where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

What Once Was Lost by Kim Vogel Sawyer

You can also find Kim Vogel Sawyer on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on What Once Was Lost on the Waterbrook Multomah Publishers website, please click here. 

A Whisper of Peace

Forgiveness sounds so simple to do yet so often becomes the hardest act for some of us to perform. Striving to show people what God's love is all about, Clay Selby and his step sister, Vivian set out for the Alaskan frontier in the late 1800's, as missionaries to the native people of the Athabascans, who have seen many white people by fear what their ways will bring to their small village.

Fueled by a desire to follow in his father's footsteps, Clay begins to build a school house within the village with the help of some of the people, that will not only help them learn English, but teach them about God in the process. The native people believe that learning English will help them in the ability to deal with other white people that pass through the village and with those that they trade furs with in the town of White Horse.

Upon entering the village, Clay and Vivian meet a young native woman, named White Feather but goes by the name of Lizzie, living alone just outside the village. She is curious to the music that Clay plays through his accordion and soon finds friendship with Vivian. Working together Vivian vows to teach Lizzie how to be more of a white woman and Lizzie promises to teach her how to trap animals and cook for her brother Clay. Lizzie's father Voss Dawson has left her behind at the age of 12, to make a life for himself in the white man's world. After her mother's death, Lizzie was left alone and ostracized from her mother's family in the tribe of the Athabascan people. Until she can find a way to bridge a gap that keeps her separated from her grandparents, Lizzie has vowed to remain an outsider with her only friends being a pack of sled dogs.

In the latest novel by Kim Vogel Sawyer, A Whisper of Peace, is the story of dealing with the loss of relationships and how actions can be perceived to mean far more than they were intended. Clay must find a way to reach the village with God's redeeming message of forgiveness and hope as well as show that same love for Lizzie, when the village asks him to choose between her and his church. Will Clay make the right decision? What is the true purpose in his calling to share God's love, does it mean to pick and choose who is more worthy?

I received this novel compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review and LOVED how Kim got this message of redemption across the generations of people affected by the choices people made in the village. It also shows how the impact of waiting too long to make amends can alter how we live our life today. I rate this book a 5 out of 5 stars and this makes the 4th book, I've read by Kim and anxiously await her next book. I am so excited when I am offered the opportunity to review anything she has written, because I know it's going to be GREAT!

For more information about this book, the author and where to pick up a copy of this book, please click on the links below:

A Whisper of Peace by Kim Vogel Sawyer

You can also find Kim on Facebook, by clicking here.