The Christmas Blessing

What is it about romance set among the backdrop of the war? Perhaps its the sensing that time is of the essence and it inspires people to share their truth heartfelt feelings with one another in the event that they will be taken from them far too soon. If you're like me and LOVE that nostalgic romance set during WWII, then pick up Melody Carlson's novel, The Christmas Blessing. It is set in San Diego during 1944 with that romantic couple who have met and instantly fallen in love. Yet before they can marry, James Bradley is called back to his base to be deployed without a moment's notice.

Poor Amelia Richards has a completed intent to wed certificate that James filled out and knows that hopefully this war will end soon and James will return so they can marry. But fate is that ugly judge of what will happen and Amelia learns that James has died and will not be coming home. Now she has to deal with the outcome of what she will be able to do, when she realizes that their one night of romance has conceived a son from that night. As a single mother, not even being able to claim war widow status, she remembers that James told her a bit about her family that lives in Montana and she is sure that perhaps they might even want to help her and poor Jimmie out.

As she plans on making the trip to Montana she isn't sure what she will do if James' parents don't believe her or worse, attempt to take Jimmie away seeing as she is not even married. How could she possibly afford to take care of Jimmie when they don't even know what will happen next. So she takes what money she has in an attempt to give it ago while she searches for James parents, until then she will simply stay a few days at the cheapest hotel in hopes of finding a job as a beautician locally and fate will smile favorably on her this time. What she doesn't plan on is that she is coming down with a pretty horrible cold and now it seems she has passed it along to Jimmie. Without any funds how will she be able to provide care for both of them.

I received The Christmas Blessing by Melody Carlson compliments of NetGalley and Revell Publishing Group, a division of Baker Publishing. This is such a wonderful story and I don't want to give any more away. The setting is heartwarming and the overall situation is completely believable as something that probably happened to many young men and women during the 1940's. Fans of anything relating to WWII will absolutely adore this short novel that really feels like so much more. I easily give this one a 5 out of 5 stars and reminds you that God can even work a miracle during the most tumultuous of times.

For more information about The Christmas Blessing, Melody Carlson or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Christmas Blessing by Melody Carlson 

You can find Melody Carlson on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Christmas Blessing, please visit Baker Publishing's website. 

All She Left Behind

I have been fascinated by the old ways of medicinal healing. From natural cures and remedies found in plants to the various ways oils can be used to induce healing over prescription bills doctors hand out. That is what drew me to read All She Left Behind by Jane Kirkpatrick. Jennie Pickett is the character I can identify with because she has a desire to truly learn from the plants and herbs she collects as well as the oils themselves she removes from them to aid in healing those who come to her for treatment. In a time where women wanting to become doctors was discouraged, Jennie goes out of her way to learn all she can. Of course, with her husband Charles, and her young son Douglas, she hardly has time to devote to that, but she does know it can contribute to the family's finances.

Her husband Charles, works for the prison and has become increasingly violent in his angry outbursts toward Jennie, calling her efforts foolish when she should be doing more to care for his needs. Now with the abuse becoming physical, Jennie has to find ways to make their lives better, in hopes her husband will be content with what life has offered them. But when he turns to alcohol and cocaine, she still holds out hope she can help him with her home remedies but Charles wants nothing to do with her foolish treatments. What he wants from her is to help him convince their local pastor to help them become real estate investors since Charles believes he can truly get out from under working at the prison and provide a life style he feels he deserves and only Jennie and Douglas would benefit.

But as Jennie constantly bends over backward for Charles, she soon learns the ugly truth, when she finds he has given her young son cocaine during one of his late night outings and she can no longer let this continue. She sees that Charles is using the money loaned to them from the pastor's family to buy things that will increase their "look of prosperity"'to future clients but soon Charles confesses things have gotten out of hand and he has lost most of the money in a bad deal with a unlikely customer. He divorces Jennie without regard for her feelings and when the two head home, they find that Charles has taken everything and left them with only their clothes in the home they once shared.

I received All She Left Behind by Jane Kirkpatrick compliments of Baker Publishing Group and NetGalley. I found myself as I was reading, looking up the medicinal uses for the oils Jennie dispenses to her customers to help them and find myself wanting to search for more homeopathic remedies to what ails us over the pharmaceutical industry standards. I really felt for Jennie when things just kept going from bad to worse, but she always wanted to believe that with forgiveness, hope is possible despite the situation at present and loved that her outlook on things remained positive. I easily give this book a 5 out of 5 stars and especially LOVED the author's note section at the conclusion which gives readers an idea of how this story line evolved from true historical facts, There is even an oil and herb guide at the conclusion so readers can take advantage of Jennie's homeopathic remedies and uses.

For more information about All She Left Behind, Jane Kirkpatrick and where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

All She Left Behind by Jane Kirkpatrick

You can find Jane Kirkpatrick on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on All She Left Behind, please visit Baker Publishing Groups website. 

Where We Belong

What really made me want to read this book, before I ever looked at the synopsis, is the cover. Just something about exploring Egypt has always fascinated me, and this book by Lynn Austin is no disappointment. Truly something a bit unique but found myself thinking of this book, like The Mummy movie with Brandon Frasier, because of the woman in the movie, who defies social stereotypes of the era and branches out on her own. In Where We Belong, Rebecca and Flora Hawes are being raised by their father, since their mother's death on Flora's birth that left them without the influence of a woman in their household. Being from a well-to-do family, they lacked for nothing with what money could buy for a good education, and their father held nothing back from them.

Deep within both of the girl's hearts was a love for adventure and travel, and at any early age knew that they could convince their father to take them on a European trip to discover the things they were being taught at school, better than any books could teach them. They only had to present it in the correct manner as father liked to conduct all things with a business plan in mind and thus the reason they were so well off. After their latest adventure and returning on their voyage home, they encountered Mrs. Worthington who was also a widow with a plan and purpose. She manages to convince their father that both girls will need suitable husbands to help manage their finances and thinks her nephews would make the ideal candidates.

But Rebecca isn't ready to settle down with the quintessential husband that society and her father would love for her to marry. Flora is quite pleased with having the best of both world and soon falls in love with Thomas. Knowing their father's health is failing, they beg him to not marry Mrs. Worthington until they return from one final trip to visit Egypt and the Holy Lands. But alas, fate will take its own turn as their father passes away and the girls are stuck with figuring out how to manage without a man's influence in their lives any longer. Their journey has only just begun and its about to get very interesting with whom they meet on their latest trip abroad.

I received Where We Belong by Lynn Austin compliments of Baker Publishing Group and NetGalley. I absolutely LOVE Rebecca's spirit of adventure in not conforming to societies standards for proper young women! This is like an Indiana Jones adventure but with switching the roles between the main characters. I found myself rooting for her the whole time and really wanted to see where all this would lead and could only imagine untapped wealth and the ability to travel makes this such an enjoyable novel. I easily give this one a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion!

For more information about Where We Belong, Lynn Austin or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Where We Belong by Lynn Austin 

You can find Lynn Austin on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Where We Belong, please visit Baker Publishing Group's website. 

Cherished Mercy

For as long as I can remember I have loved western stories. Probably came after my introduction to the Louis L'Amor novels that may have jump started my love of the simple life but also a very difficult and hostile life as well. I have been honored to read all of the novels in Tracie Peterson's Heart of the Frontier series and her final one in the series is Cherished Mercy. Each of the novels have introduced the reader to the Flanagan sisters and the last one is the youngest Mercy. She has been working with her sister Grace at helping women during childbirth and also learning about herbal medicines that can help whatever ails most people on the frontier.

Just as she is about to come into her own, a family friend writes that his wife, Eletta is not doing well while expecting their first baby in March. They have asked if Mercy can come to stay with them and help with the birthing of the baby. Mercy fears the recent Rogue River Indians after just barely surviving her own Indian attack and being held hostage for over a month, during the Whitman Massacre has matured her and changed her. She now understands the Indian people a bit more, and has given them the benefit of the doubt since not all Indians are ruthless killers. These people merely want to exist but now it seems that the government has hired on a militia to kill any and all Indians they see, so for Mercy's family it feels like she would be well enough to go.

She believes God will watch over her and protect her as she heads to Gold Beach, Oregon to aid in any way she can to help Eletta get better. Her husband Isaac and herself were responsible for helping all three sisters make it to the west during the Oregon trail and she now feels God is calling her to help. She just doesn't expect to fall in love with Adam Browning, the younger brother of Isaac. She isn't looking for love and that is good, because Adam doesn't believe Mercy will be able to hack it in the rudimentary lodgings and working so closely with the Indian population near them. He believes once she arrives, she will be begging to head home. He isn't at all prepared for what she brings with her when she arrives at their homestead. Lots of gumption and grit for sure on both sides.

I received Cherished Mercy by Tracie Peterson compliments of NetGalley and Baker Publishing Group. I have read to many of Tracies's novel and they just welcome the reader on it. It's like a great friend, that you can curl up with her books and sit by the fire and lose yourself in the story. I have wanted to know what Mercy would turn up like after reading about her throughout all the novels up to this one and LOVE that she has a bit of sass about her. She isn't willing to put up with any man who thinks she needs someone to complete her and this is where it gets interesting so that you have to finish it before doing anything else. She's a spit fire for sure, but has she met her match? Pick this one up to find out. I easily give this one a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion and western romance lovers will want to pick up the entire series and carve out some time to enjoy each of them.

For more information about Cherished Mercy, Tracie Peterson or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Cherished Mercy by Tracie Peterson 

You can find Tracie Peterson on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Cherished Mercy, please visit Baker Publishing Group's website. 

The Two of Us

I am so glad I held off reading The Two of Us by Victoria Bylin til the Christmas season, because this one is just so good, I didn't want to rush it and take my time enjoying the relationship that is played out between Mia Robinson and Jake Tanner. The two meet in Las Vegas where they are best man and maid of honor to their siblings without realizing it. They meet in a small cafe, where Jake wins a stuffed Hen that he gives to Mia. This is their meet-cute! They won't discover how closely they are about to be related until the day of the wedding in just a few hours. Mia has vented a bit to Jake, that her sister Lucy is making a bad decision in getting married so quickly just because she is pregnant.

When they meet up again at the Vegas wedding chapel, Lucy has started spotting and fears she is going to lose the baby. Mia thinks this might not be such a bad thing, since it was what initiated such a quick marriage to begin with, but puts aside her own personal feelings and takes over with her nurse training and manages to get Lucy to a hospital where she learns that baby is safe for the moment, but Lucy will be on strict rest until the doctor feels the baby is well enough that she can go back to normal life again. This doesn't sit well for Lucy who wants her marriage and honeymoon to Sam to be picture perfect, but Sam is more than willing to wait.

Mia is planning on leaving soon to head off on a Missions trip where she will take her medical training and help children in third world countries, but insists that she will stay and help Lucy until that happens. Jake insists on Sam and Lucy moving to the Tanner ranch where there is plenty of help and support to help not only Lucy, but Jake's mother Claire who is in the early stages of Alzheimer's. This also gives Jake and Mia time to explore their own feelings for one another even though they agree remaining friends is the best thing knowing where they both envision a future for themselves. But does God have other plans? Find out by picking up this wonderful heart-warming romance! I received The Two of Us by Victoria Bylin, compliments of Baker Publishing Group and Net Galley and easily give this one a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

For more information about The Two of Us, Victoria Bylin or where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

The Two of Us by Victoria Bylin

You can find Victoria Bylin on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews of The Two of Us, please visit Baker Publishing Group's website. 

Too Far Down

I've been a huge fan of westerns since high school. There is just something about the rugged old west, handsome cowboys and the constant struggle against the good and the bad. Mary Connealy is just the right Christian author that fans of westerns will LOVE. Her series, the Cimarron Legacy is filled with intrigue, non stop action, and of course romance! Her latest novel in the series, Too Far Down which is the third book, picks up with Cole Boden, who is now running a mining operation in Skull Gulch, in the New Mexico Territory in 1881. Just as it seems that things have been settling down, a series of explosions begin to rock his office raining down boulders and rocks.

As he leaves to investigate, he discovers that dynamite has been lit in various lengths to allow them to go off one at a time at each of the mines that have covered the hillside. What is more evident is that this is a planned operation, that someone has deliberately set these to prevent anyone from stopping them and even more to prevent anyone from continuing to mine. Cole discovers it at his mine first and is able to warn other miners in time to cut the fuses before the entire mountain comes down. However, the damage has been done to his own mine. Buried beneath the rubble, lie his own men trapped beneath the mountain and as he gathers together people to help dig them out, not all of them will survive.

When his brothers arrive from the Cimarron Ranch, they begin to put the pieces of the puzzle together that once more this has gotten personal and someone is out to ensure that one by one, the Boden men and their families are put to rest so that their land and ranch holdings can be sold and the Boden legacy dissolved. Now they have to put together a plan to figure out just who is up to no good and put a stop to them before anymore lives are lost. He just doesn't expect Melanie, who goes by Mel to offer to help and no matter how much he tries to reason with her, he know she is just about as good as any of the men who have been asked to help. Perhaps with the help of a beautiful young woman, he might just be able to convince others to open up and discover the truth, quicker than if he or his brothers question them. But what is he willing to risk by putting Mel in possible danger?

I received Too Far Down by Mary Connealy compliments of Baker Publishing Group and NetGalley. While I have not read the previous two novels in this series, I hope to rectify that very soon. It seems that the previous novels give more insight into the grudge against the Boden family as well as the relationships and marriages between Heath and Justin are explored in each of them while this novel focuses on Cole and Melanie. For those that love non stop action, dangerous situations, and strong and determined female characters, readers will LOVE this series. I easily give this a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion.

For more information about Too Far Down, Mary Connealy or where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Too Far Down by Mary Connealy

You can find Mary Connealy on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Too Far Down, please visit Baker Publishing Group's website. 

These Healing Hills

Here's another wonderful novel that takes readers back for some historical fiction that is based around facts about Frontier Nursing. In These Healing Hills by Ann H. Gabhart, Francine Howard defies her parents wishes and moves to the Appalachian Mountains of Hyden to learn about being a midwife to the people who have chosen to live away from the bigger towns. They have a different way to speaking, moonshine is still being processed and of course, people love their lifestyle but getting medical care can be time consuming especially with the terrain and often times weather.

Francine is a compassionate woman who loves learning about their way of life, even though those she works under remind her to keep her level of professionalism and not get to friendly with the people she treats. But how can you not be drawn into their simple ways of life, where money isn't the thing that motivates them and they take joy in raising their families away from the big city! She would have never dreamed this was the life for her, hoping instead to remain at home waiting for the man she believed would return home to her from the war and they would marry and begin their own family. Instead, Seth Miller, found himself another woman from England and was bringing her home to meet his family and how could she begin to compete with that?

So she took her broken heart and instead looked for ways to bring healing to others and catching babies, the Appalachian term for delivering newborns. She can't help but love each of the families she works with including Granny Em, an elderly woman who keeps to her way of life, handing out wisdom to Francine that flies in the face of the medical procedures she is being taught, including some weird medicinal home remedies using the plants she finds growing around the mountain. She just didn't expect to become part of the Locke family, treating their ailing young daughter, Sadie, as well as looking after their oldest daughter, Becca who is getting ready for her first child. Now that Ben Locke has returned home from the war, he can't help but fall for the one woman who would do more than heal the brokenness in their family but in his heart as well.

I received These Healing Hills by Ann H. Gabhart compliments of Baker Publishing Group and NetGalley. I love this story revolving around the historical facts about was started Frontier Nursing in 1925, that readers can enjoy at the conclusion of this novel in the Reader's Note section. You would wonder how people who lived far from town would have their medical needs addressed and so a nursing program was conceived that trained women to ride horses into the heart of the mountains, bringing with them healing and midwife skills to the people of the Appalachian communities. This eliminated the worry of how to pay for medical care since no one was ever turned away and the maternal and infant mortality rates decreased dramatically when this program was introduced. Well worthy of 5 out of 5 stars in this reader's opinion.

For more information about These Healing Hills, Ann H. Gabhart or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

These Healing Hills by Ann H. Gabhart 

You can find Ann H. Gabhart on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on These Healing Hills, please visit Baker Publishing Group's website. 

The Promise of Dawn

America. The great melting pot. So many have left their countries to search for a better life on this beautiful country we call home. In The Promise of Dawn by Lauraine Snelling, Gunlaug's eldest son, Rune and his wife Signe, and their three sons are brought from Norway at the behest of relatives Einar and Gerd Strand. They have offered to pay their passage to come work in Minnesota, with the understanding that over time those funds would be paid back. Gerd and Einar had never been blessed with sons and they need help in the new land that they have purchased from a homesteader that is covered with huge pine trees that they log and send to the mills in Minneapolis. The money had from those trees has made it possible to build a home large enough to house a family. They farm the land they have cleared, but need help. Gerd is not well and they desperately need the family to come and help.

Living near a small town called Benson's Corner, and the nearest town being Blackduck, Minnesota, there is a school for the younger ones in the winter. Once the trees are felled and shipped on the local railroad spur to the northern mills, we will clear the stumps and plant crops. With only one cow now, the family hopes to increase the number to have a dairy herd once the land is cleared. This is indeed the land of opportunity. So Rune and Signe Carlson along with their three sons leave Norway and head to America. Signe hopes that the baby she is carrying will live after so many miscarriages. When the family arrives at the Strand home, they are immediately surprised by what needs to be done. It seems that their need for help is drastically understated, and Gerd is completely bed-ridden due to a heart issue. The house is barely what you would call livable and is infested with rats. This will completely test the stamina of the Carlson family as Einar puts them all to work immediately treating them more like slaves than family. The younger boys help Signe try and get the house in order along with helping to care for Gerd who is a bitter older woman who screams to get anyone to help her use the chamber pot and demands food whenever she wants it.

For Rune and his oldest son Bjorn at fifteen take to logging in the woods felling trees that Einar hopes to sell to support his family. His unrealistic goals soon render an accident during a thunder storm that render Bjorn with a broken arm and not being able to hear. When the family tries to keep Bjorn at home, Einar insists that one of the other boys step up and bear the weight of Bjorn's absence in the woods. If they refuse, Einar threatens to deport them all back to Norway unless they serve the time that they have agreed to work to pay for their passage to America. It will take the patience of a saint to work with these two who call themselves family.

I received The Promise of Dawn by Lauraine Snelling compliments of Baker Publishing Group and Net Galley. 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 a great historical novel that really conveys the hardships that faced many families who came to America in search of a new life. Many of their skills no longer suited them and they had to acclimate and learn new ones if they hoped to have a home of their own. It would take working together in order for any of them to make it during any time of the year. Each season had its own challenges and it seems like Gerd and Einar have found themselves slaves that will do as they are told without argument. I found myself exhausted at all the work Signe had to do along with caring for Gerd while being pregnant. Life on the frontier was hard work and this clearly comes across in this first novel of the Under Northern Skies series. Can't wait for more and for that reason, I give this novel a 5 out of 5 stars.

For more information about The Promise of Dawn, Lauraine Snelling or where you can pre-order a copy of this book due in August of 2017, please click on the links below:

The Promise of Dawn by Lauraine Snelling 

You can find Lauraine Snelling on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on The Promise of Dawn, please visit Baker Publishing Group's website. 

High As The Heavens

Living in a country involved in the midst of a great war would be difficult. For those living in Brussels during the Great War or WWI as it was known, difficulty became the word of the day, especially when their small towns were thrust into German occupation and they simply took what they wanted, be it women, children, or any goods they deemed necessary for their survival. It's been three long years dealing with the German occupation and at times, Evelyn Marche's family has had to endure German borders as well, most of them soldiers passing through. It has also given them some privileges as well since her family ran a small cafè, they now keep it open serving whatever is available to the Germans who come there. It offers Evelyn and her family a small respite from being further hassled by their presence in their small town.

It also has given Evelyn time to find ways to transport messages to the allies about the developments she learns of with so many German soldiers getting drunk on the beer that flows freely from their cafè. Her mother also has a hand in helping with the war effort with the way she crafts lace to be delivered by Evelyn to those who desperately need it. Evelyn is doing all she can to survive after losing her brother and sister when they were forced aboard a train, but has learned that they may have escaped and now live in France in the small town of Anor.

Her work as a Red Cross nurse has it benefits and as such, most German's don't question her comings and goings at all hours of the night, especially since receiving the Iron Cross in aiding saving one of their German officers. He now runs most of the staff at the hospital but has also seen to aiding Eveyln's family when he can. But his first and foremost call to duty is to Germany. When a plane crashes late one evening, Evelyn arrives to find the pilot has succumbed to his injuries but the passenger of the plane is her husband she believed had died three years ago. Now she will have to risk everything if she is to save him before they are both discovered as German spies.

I received High As The Heavens by Kate Breslin compliments of Baker Publishing Group and Net Galley. 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.  I love that so much about this novel is based on historical facts with just the simple changing of the character's names. The true story of three women were remarkable in their efforts to aid the allies with their messages about the Germans in the occupied territory. Most of all, I love Evelyn's efforts to not only save her husband but also to do what she could to reunite her family that had been torn apart from the war. For those that love historical or WWI fiction, then this is a novel for you. I'd give it a 4 out of 5 stars because in some places the story just seemed to go on too long. I was happy with how it ended and love the author's note at the end explaining the facts that went into creating this novel. Reader Discussion Questions are included at the conclusion of this novel which would make for a great book club selection.

For more information about High As The Heavens, Kate Breslin, or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

High As The Heavens by Kate Breslin

You can find Kate Breslin on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

For more reviews on High As The Heavens, please visit Baker Publishing Group's website. 

 

Beloved Hope

A man can't live without hope. Nor can a woman and in Beloved Hope by Tracie Peterson, Hope Flanagan comes face to face with her past she longed to forget that happened two years ago. The Whitman Massacre had led to the deaths of more than just Dr. Whitman and his wife, but also the only man Hope wanted to marry and loved with all her heart. Watching him being killed in front of her while she watched the life seep out of him was hard for her, but not before being taken captive by the Cayuse Indians who staged this. She was raped and left with an unborn child of the man who had taken more than just her innocence. She wanted nothing more out of life including her own. But after giving birth and placing that child into the hands of a couple who wanted a baby, Hope could not seem to find her way back to any normal sense of life. Even two years later, she built up such a wall around her, that all she wanted was to be left alone and far away from friends or even finding another man to love.

Now that she has been asked to testify in the trial of the five Cayuse Indians responsible for the murders of those at the Whitman Mission, she knows she can never let the possibility of the one man who took more than just her life away, walk away if they found him not guilty. In fact there was fear of that in light of those in the US government who wanted to grant peace between the white men and the Indians, even if it meant letting them go free. Hope was going to make sure the last thing this Indian did was to walk free. Perhaps that is why she managed to sneak past the armed guards and found her way into the jail cell that held the man who had taken everything from her. Now she was going to ensure he never lived another day, when she pulled the gun from her pocket. She just needed to find a way to pull the trigger and then it would all be over.

Lieutenant Lance Kenner wasn't about to let Hope make a mistake and when he saw her holding the gun on one of his prisoners, he assured her that this man's life wasn't worth her time. He knew that her and most of the women in Oregon City were trying to come to terms with what had happened and Hope was so sure that no man would want her ever again. But Lance Kenner was not like the men she had met before. Being from New Orleans and having lost his own family, all he was looking for when he met Hope was simply a friend to help get him through this trial so he could be done with serving his time and get back to running the plantation his family had left him. But it seems that they both might just need the right friend in order to gain more than just their hope back, but also to learn to trust God and understand that forgiveness isn't about letting someone off the hook, it's about letting go of the hurt they have caused you that you continue to carry with you every single day.

I received Beloved Hope by Tracie Peterson compliments of Baker Publishing Group and Net Galley. 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 the second novel in the Heart of the Frontier Series which picks up two years later after the Whitman Massacre that Treasured Grace covered in the first novel. I can't imagine how difficult it would be to face your accusers and I understood the feelings of hatred and anger that Hope must have felt. You would hope there would be a release of those feelings once the guilty have been punished but as most of us know, it doesn't happen like we would want to believe it would. Unless we choose to let go of those past feelings and let God handle it, we will continue to drag around that chain until it grows too heavy for us and life simply continues to pass us by. I give this a 4.5 out of 5 stars and can't wait for the third novel that must revolve around Mercy's life, the youngest of the Flanagan sisters.

For more information about Beloved Hope, Tracie Peterson or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Beloved Hope by Tracie Peterson

You can find Tracie Peterson on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Beloved Hope, please visit Baker Publishing Group's website. 

A Matter of Trust

"No one in trouble should be worried about whether they deserve help. They need help, and that's the point."

For Gage Watson, a member of the PEAK Blackbear Ski Patrol, find the lost was just another day at work. Being a former national free-riding snow boarder, this was all that remained of his time as a champion. But that didn't mean that in the world of social media and YouTube, that younger adults didn't dream of following in his proverbial footsteps. With enough research, the things that Gage achieved in his former lime light, he now had to find those thrill seekers before they did something foolish and got hurt or even worse, killed. That was the past Gage was still trying to recover from. The day when Dylan was killed trying to follow in Gage's line along Outlaw Mountain. Even though he tried to dissuade this kid from trying the same thing he had success at, this time, an unfortunate avalanche claimed Dylan's life, but also the life Gage had known. Lawsuits lead to a settlement that cost him sponsorships, awards and his future as a professional snow boarder. Now he spent his hours saving those who got caught up in that fame to prevent another death from occurring if he could help it. He just never thought that Ella Blair would waltz back into his life three years later.

Ella was always trying to convince her younger brother Oliver that his need for thrills might just get himself killed. When she followed him to Montana, the last person she expected to run into was Gage Watson again. He had revoked Oliver's season pass along with his buddy Bradley who thought dressing up as an inflatable T-Rex and videotaping it was the thing to begin their own road to fame and garner some viral videos. Ella knew that Oliver wanted to try the same thing as Dylan had done but this time with success. So when she awoke the following morning and discovering that Oliver and Bradley were missing, she knew exactly where he was headed and who she needed to ask for help. The only one brave enough to find her brother especially when a blizzard was just hours away from them and they discover that a helicopter had already been charted to drop the two off at the top of the summit.

Gage knew that there was no one else to go after them but himself. He was the only one who possessed the skills needed to find two amateurs lost in Glacier National Park with a blizzard only hours away. When Ella insisted that she be allowed to accompany Gage on this mission, she knew she had to convince him to let her come. She could lose the only family she had left and the one man she loved but had never managed to tell him. She was the one responsible for taking him to court as a junior attorney working for a large firm that Dylan's family had hired. She knew that some of the evidence that was uncovered would exonerate Gage from all the charges and even if it meant losing her law license she knew she would need to tell him the truth, if he will let her come with him.

I received A Matter of Trust by Susan May Warren compliments of Baker Publishing Group and Net Galley. 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. Since this is the third novel in the Montana Rescue Series, there were some back stories that I missed because I picked this one up without reading the prior novels, Wild Montana Skies and Rescue Me, but I hope to pick those up and enjoy reading it from beginning to end. As a random group of people that make up the PEAK rescue team, each of them has their own novel dedicated to their story as they weave into each consecutive one in the series. In this one, Gage and Ella get a chance to discover the true meaning of trust and also what forgiveness means if they are to have any hope of a future.

What happens when those choices go south? So often we blame ourselves or others - and maybe rightly so. But we also seem to forget that God doesn't stop loving us because we make a mistake or even a bad choice. Some people, like Ella, live their lives trying to do everything right, fearing that if they mess up, God won't like them, won't rescue them. And others like Gage, refuse to believe that God could be on their side because of their biggest failures. Lies. We can't live a life free of mistakes - they're one of our biggest tools for learning. And God lets us walk into mistakes! He warns us, yes, and suggests we stay in his line, but he not only lets us choose our line, but he stays with us if we take our own course. And helps us pick up the debris when we wipe out. Not because we're so awesome. But because He is awesome. And He loves us. Period. I easily give this a 5 out of 5 stars simply because I couldn't put it down til it was finished. Like a great piece of chocolate cake smothered in creamy frosting. It is that great and there is a fourth novel coming soon!

For more information about A Matter of Trust, Susan May Warren or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

A Matter of Trust by Susan May Warren

You can find Susan May Warren on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on A Matter of Trust, please visit Baker Publishing Group's website. 

Under A Summer Sky

Growing up, I had a boy that lived next door to us and our families were the very best of friends. The kind you plan vacations together and then at some point, you see that boy next door as something else besides just your childhood friend. Perhaps a future romance?

In Under A Summer Sky by Melody Carlson, Nicole Anderson is searching for something to inspire a bit of creativity in her lesson plans as a high school art teacher in Seattle. Her mother has the perfect idea and with just a weekend to plan for it, they take an unexpected shopping trip to prepare for her summer job. Vivian Graham is taking a three month world cruise with her husband and has offered a manager position at her art gallery in Savannah, Georgia. She believes that Nicole has just what this shop needs in order to run it, despite the looming presence of Amyra, the employee just about everyone in the Graham family despises. She believes since Vivian will be gone, the job of managing the art galley belongs to her and it's just a matter of time before she sends Nicole packing.

Vivian has offered Nicole the luxury of staying in their palatial Southern home in her absence along with the keys to her SUV to lend her the opportunity to transport any art pieces as needed. She has also placed an order for business cards for Nicole as manager, but she fails to let Amyra in on that little detail. Not to mention that the Grahams are long time friends of the Anderson's, she now learns that Alex, the most handsome of the brothers, whom she had a crush on, is now newly divorced with a teenage daughter as well as Ryan, the youngest brother who has just ended a relationship with Amyra and seems to be in a potential engagement to the town's sweetheart Cassidy. One thing is certain, this summer won't be boring in the least!

I received Under A Summer Sky by Melody Carlson compliments of Baker Publishing Group and Net Galley. 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 sweet summer romance, coupled with two very different eligible men who fancy Nicole's attention along with the rocky relationship she has with Amyra who has her target set on Nicole for the job at the Graham Gallery. With moss lined trees and ghost tours, the Savannah southern charm is bound to get readers in the mood for some southern romance. I give this novel a 5 out of 5 stars because it is one I could relate to from my early childhood and this one keeps you longing for those southern summer nights complete with fireworks aplenty. This is the third novel in the Follow Your Heart series with Once Upon A Summertime and All Summer Long preceding this one. Available in paperback and eBook formats.

For more information about Under a Summer Sky, Melody Carlson or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Under A Summer Sky by Melody Carlson 

You can find Melody Carlson on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Under A Summer Sky, please visit Baker Publishing Group's website. 

Trusting Grace

"Grace Bidwell pushed her way through the busy mercantile store in the bustling town of Bozeman, certain that it would be the most beneficial place to post a HIRED HELP sign for everyone to see."

I love looking at the opening sentence of novels I read. I often times think back and wonder given that opening sentence is it enough to make me want to read further and how much thought do authors give in deciding how any novel will begin. For me, a serious lover of anything pertaining to the western romance genre, I absolutely LOVED, Trusting Grace by Maggie Brendan. This is the third novel in the Virtues and Vices of the Old West series, with The Trouble with Patience and A Sweet Misfortune leading the way.

Grace Bidwell is a young widow who is taking care of her father who has suffered what they believe might be a stroke, and tries valiantly to run the farm while he recovers. But Grace knows she will need help not knowing when her father might recover and she simply can't manage to run the house and get the potatoes in the ground to have a healthy harvest. She just hopes she can find a man suitable to help.

Robert Fraiser is trying his best to be a father to three young children he just learned are now his. After losing his wife, he realizes she never trusted him enough to let him know she had them. Now that his sister-in-law is done trying to care for them with four of her own, Robert struggles to find a job to help get them all at least into a suitable boarding house. But it may take awhile. The children, Tom, the oldest, Becky and Sarah know that they have been a burden to Robert and try and figure out a way to find money to get them off of sleeping wherever they can find room under the stars and living in a wagon, hunting off the land to provide any food for all of them. When Robert lands a job working for Grace, he doesn't tell her about the children, because he wants to provide for them on his own. Yet he doesn't realize that Grace has longed for children she believes she will never have since losing her husband and now caring for her father. Seems like they both have issues with trust that they will need to resolve if any of them have hopes for a better future.

I received Trusting Grace by Maggie Brendan compliments of Baker Publishing Group and Net Galley. 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 andments were received, unless specified otherwise. I love that Grace is a strong and determine woman who believes she can manage on her own, yet cares so deeply for her family, friends and a delightful trio of young children she finds on the street in town. She truly has a beautiful spirit and self-esteem but it will take both her and Robert working on their own issues of trust from past marriages before they can ever hope to make something of the feelings developing for all of them including the children. My favorite has to be Sarah, whose child like faith in God is so pure and honest that she never fears God and his angels are watching out for them all. 5 out of 5 stars and now I have to go back and read the previous two novels in this series. This one can be read as a stand alone as I did, but believe that the characters you meet in this novel has their own stories to share in the previous novels in this series.

For more information about Trusting Grace, Maggie Brendan or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Trusting Grace by Maggie Brendan

You can find Maggie Brendan on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Trusting Grace, please visit Baker Publishing Group's website. 

The Assault

If you love anything dealing with the supernatural from a Christian perspective, then you need to check out the Harbinger Series. Each cycle of the series takes the talents of well-known Christian authors and gives them the opportunity to expand on an ongoing series with very different characters point of view. Think of it, like a television series but in this case each author is adding their own spin to the continuing saga that is plaguing a unique set of characters from vastly different backgrounds. This cycle of the Harbinger series is the second one and incorporates the stories of The Revealing by Bill Myers, Infestation by Frank Peretti, Infiltration by Angela Hunt and The Fog by Alton Gansky.

In the series, Bill Myers writes as Brenda, a street-hustling tattoo artist who sees images of the future. Frank Peretti writes as the Professor, the atheist ex-priest who is ruled by logic. Angela Hunt writes as Andi, the professor's brilliant but geeky assistant who sees inexplicable patterns and Alton Gansky writes as Tank, the naive, big-hearted jock with a surprising connection to a healing power. So instead of the four talented authors writing one novella together, this comes together like a television series. There is an overarching storyline into which they each plug their own novellas, with each story written from our characters point of view.

In The Revealing, the team is gathered together under the direction of Bill Myers and they find themselves searching for the Spear of Destiny, which is coveted by those who seek it because it is said that those that weld the instrument that was used to plunge into the body of Jesus Christ on the cross still retains some supernatural properties and now the hunt it on for those who want to keep it hidden and those who want it found. In The Infestation by Frank Peretti, the team is thrust back into their pasts to deal with situations that were never resolved and this time an unseen fungus is attempting to infect the world without anyone knowing what is happening. When one of the team is affected will they be able to figure out a way to stop it before it kills them?

In Infiltration, the team discover a secret plot by those that they have been following are now all connected to their various discoveries and now they are being hunted one by one by something that no one can see but involves going back into their pasts before they were united as if they never met. They will have to convince each other that they do have a connection in some future event if they hope to succeed in not only keeping the team together but keeping them alive. Finally in The Fog, Alton Gansky takes our team to the top of a high rise building as a fog rushes in with the ability not only to kill on ground level but it begins to rise and with it the body counts continue to climb as well.

I received The Assault by Bill Myers, Frank Peretti, Angela Hunt and Alton Gansky compliments of Baker Publishing Group and Net Galley. 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.  I have absolutely LOVED this entire series and even though these individual books were written before, they are collected in groups of four known as the Cycle of the Harbinger series. Readers even get a sneak peek at the coming Cycle Three at the conclusion of this collection. These must be read in order not as individual stand alones otherwise as a reader, you would be completely lost by not understanding each characters motivation in working together to solve what is happening not only to them as individuals but also to the world in an effort to save them all. In this one, The Fog was my absolute favorite. There is just something creepy about a fog that can rise until it claims every last person it touches. 5 out of 5 stars again in my opinion and can't wait to read the next one.

For more information about The Assault, Bill Myers, Frank Peretti, Angela Hunt, Alton Gansky or where you can pre-order a copy of this book due out in August of 2017 , please click on the links below:

The Assault by Bill Myers, Frank Peretti, Angela Hunt and Alton Gansky

You can find Bill Myers on Facebook to stay up to date on all his latest books.

You can find Frank Peretti on Facebook to stay up to date on all his latest books.

You can find Angela Hunt on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest books.

You can find Alton Gansky on Facebook to stay up to date on all his latest books.

With You Always

Sometimes there are those novels that take the reader into a different time and place in history so well that they lose themselves in the present day and find themselves transported back in time. Jody Hedlund does such an exceptional job at that, through her research in her latest Orphan Train series and the first novel, With You Always. You can help but cheer for the underdog, hope the plans for the wicked are exposed and that true love always finds a way, and you will get all three by the closure of this novel.

The novel is set in New York City in June of 1857 and the Quincy Brothers, Thornton and Bradford have been given a challenge by their industrious and wealthy father to see who can take over the company, "In order to determine which of my sons is worthiest to inherit sole control over all my investments and companies, I am issuing a six-month challenge. The two conditions are as follows. First, each son must build a sustainable town along the Illinois Central Railroad. And second, each son must get marries to a woman he loves. Whoever succeeds in doing so by the end of six months wins the challenge and becomes owner of Quincy Enterprises."

Thornton has always been searching for the acceptance and respect he believes his twin brother Bradford has always received from his father and believes he will undoubtedly win in this challenge as well. Yet despite his uncertainty Thornton will attempt to give his brother the competition they have always promoted between them. In the end, hopefully the best man will win. While Thornton will attempt to build the town of Quincy up to his father's standards, his brother Bradford attempted to do the same with Wellington in honor of his father's forename. Now all he has to do is find a way to beat the brother who has always come out ahead of him, but he isn't quite sure how to do just that until he runs into quite literally, Elise Neumann, an impoverished German young woman who is attempting to out run some Bowery boy street gangs that have overtaken the city streets, with rioting, thieving and looting anyone they find in their path.

When Elise takes Thornton into the confines of the Seventh Street Mission, a place for women to escape prostitution and find a better way at earning a living, he believes Elise is just that type of woman despite all her appearances. But Elise has simply fallen on hard times being the only person left to care for her sisters Sophie and Marianne, as well as the caring of two orphans, Olivia and Nicholas when their own mother disappeared while looking for work. There is something behind the fiery blue eyes of Elise and her determination to do whatever it takes to provide for her siblings and orphans stirs something in the heart of Thornton. Will she be able to win Thornton's heart or will she have to leave everything behind that she loves in order to find a new start for her family aboard a train bound for Quincy with the Children's Aid society?

I received With You Always by Jody Hedlund compliments of Baker Publishing Group and Net Galley. 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 so a beautifully historically accurate novel that conveys what the life of women were like that had to leave their families behind and find work in other towns in hopes of bringing the others along later with the money they could send home. The author's note at the conclusion of the novel brings all the historical facts together about the character's stories, even though the names are completely different from the original. This is always what inspired the series pertaining to the Orphan Train and the heartrending stories of the homeless and helpless young orphans who were taken from the streets of New York and other eastern cities and shipped west by the dozens. I can easily give this one a 5 out of 5 stars and looking eagerly to the ones to follow in this series.

For more information about With You Always, Jody Hedlund or where you can pre-order this novel due out in June of 2017, please click on the links below:

With You Always by Jody Hedlund

You can find Jody Hedlund on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on With You Always, please visit Baker Publishing's website. 

True to You

"When they came to a light, she glanced across the small space in time to see him slide on a pair of sunglasses. Nora sighed inwardly. She might literally combust from the force of her attraction to him and be reduced to nothing but vapor. If that happened, it would be totally worth it. A good way to go."

Plain old Nora Bradford was someone most wouldn't give a second look to. She wasn't unattractive, but she also didn't go out of her way to make anyone notice her either. After being rejected by her former fiancè Harrison two months before her wedding, she wasn't looking for love any time soon. Working as the director of the Library of the Green Museum, she was the village's expert genealogist and historian. She also volunteered with her sister Britt to help out Lawson Training Incorporated in their corporate emergency terrorist training exercise and the last thing she expected was to be carried out of the building by John Lawson, the Owner and CEO of the company.

While she attempted to make conversation with John, she explained what she did in hopes of of keeping him from rushing off to quickly. He was interested in her, very interested. Only not in the way, Nora had hoped. He needed someone to help him locate his birth mother before he lost his eyesight to a disease that was inherited through his family genes. Only in his case he didn't know who they were and that is where he would need Nora's help. As she tries to keep her attraction for John in check she does some of her own research on him and discovers he is a former Navy SEAL who was awarded the Medal of Honor as well as a bit of celebrity when a book on SEAL Team 6 renders him a bit of a hero. A movie has also been made about his military campaign but he doesn't see himself in that light. It is something he wants to put behind him and hopes to find his biological parents before his blindness renders him without his sight.

I received True to You by Becky Wade compliments of Baker Publishing Group and Net Galley. 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 wonderful new series, The Bradford Sister's Romance, and this is the first novel in that series. The sparks are definitely flying between the two as they try to keep their feelings intact because John is currently in a relationship and no matter how much he tries to deny his feelings for Nora, he knows he has an obligation with his current girlfriend. The two will soon discover they have more in common than they ever imagined and it might just be the thing that pulls them apart for good. I give this one a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion. This novel as includes Reader Discussion Questions that would make a great addition for a book club.

For more information about True to You, Becky Wade or where to pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

True to You by Becky Wade

You can find Becky Wade on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest books.

To read more reviews on True to You, please visit Baker Publishing Group's website. 

To The Farthest Shores

I love a great historical novel based around facts because after you read them not only do you feel like you have personally time traveled to said location, but you also have learned something about history along the journey. In Elizabeth Camden's latest novel, To The Farthest Shores, Jenny Bennett is making preparations as a nurse to say goodbye to the love of her life, Lieutenant Ryan Gallagher who is about to be shipped out since President McKinley declared war against Spain and the base has been mobilizing for conflict. Troops from across the nation streamed into the Presidio, preparing to sail for the Spanish colonies in the Far East. He promises to come back and without a ring to seal his intentions to marry her when he returns, he gives her his father's pocket watch which he intends to swap out with a ring.

So now Jenny spends her time caring for the men at the hospital located in the Presidio, those who are amputee's struggle to come to terms with how to make it now that they are home again. The men love her ability to care for them as if they are the only ones there and many marriage offers accompany their heart-felt thanks, but Jenny is waiting on Ryan. However when the war ended and no letter or notice from Ryan, she got worried and checked the lists for wounded, killed or missing service men, but no sign of Ryan. She even took it upon herself to contact anyone she knew in attempts to locate him, but it would take a year and a half for the letter to come. The only letter she would receive from Ryan, notifying her that he had a change of heart and was no longer coming home. He was going to stay in the Navy.

Left with a broken heart, she tried to find ways to stay busy and the last thing she expected to see was Ryan walking in the park with a little girl named Lily who claims that Ryan is her father. When she tries to confront Ryan, all he does is allude all her questions and has hoped she has moved on with her life. Rumors begin to circulate around the base that Ryan skipped out on serving his time in the Navy or that he became a war profitteer and eluded his time to serve his country. Without any explanation, Jenny has to assume that some of those rumors must be true. She is determined to find out the truth if she ever hopes to move on in her own life, if only she still didn't have feelings for Ryan.

I received To The Farthest Shores by Elizabeth Camden compliments of Baker Publising Group and Net Galley. 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 wonderful novel about not only the war, but also about the creation of cultured pearls and oyster farming. In the Historical note section, readers learn about the Military Information Division or MID that was established in 1885 as a branch of the U.S. Army and was one of several organizations charged with gathering intelligence about foreign nations. These unit were not integrated until the creation of the Central Intelligence Agency in 1947. Now as well I have an understanding not only of how pearls are created but the differences between cultured and natural pearls. I easily give this novel a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion. This novel does contain Reader Discussion Guide Questions, which makes this perfect for a book club.

For more information about To The Fartherst Shores, Elizabeth Camden or where you can pick up a copy of the novel, please click on the links below:

To The Farthest Shores by Elizabeth Camden

You can find Elizabeth Camden on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on To The Farthest Shore, please visit Baker Publishing Group's website. 

Treasured Grace

It is often hard in these days of comfort and technology to remember a time when life wasn't so filled with the luxuries we take for granted every single day. Take life for those who wanted a fresh start by heading west via the Oregon Trail. Not only did they face the hardships of packing what little they could in a wagon and selling everything else, but they had to hope that what they did bring would help them make the journey to their new homes despite the odds clearly stacked against them. From the environmental challenges and unpredictability of the weather, you had issues when your wagon broke down and repairs might not be able to made, or when your ox or horse was injured and you were stuck. Even worse was when you came down with illness, you had to make do with what you had or what skills someone else might possess.

I absolutely LOVE Tracie Peterson's novels because they are written with such attention to detail and you find yourself getting a bit of a history lesson in the process. In her latest Heart of the Frontier series, Treasured Grace takes readers into the heart of Grace Martindale, who married the Right Reverend T. S. Martindale in an effort so they could both move west on the Oregon Trail. They agreed to keep the marriage as one of convenience over one filled with love. Along with that he agreed to bring along Grace's younger sisters, Hope and Mercy. They just didn't expect the Reverend to die along the way and leave Grace a widow. Now with no money to really begin a life, all she has is her talents as a natural healer and in a hostile world faced with increasing Indian threat at the Whitman Mission, the place where Martindale girl's are slated to stay for now. .

Unfortunately the local doctor who runs the mission doesn't take kindle to Grace's herbal remedies despite how well they might work. He isn't about to have anyone question his authority and he is about to ensure that she understands where a woman's place truly is and that is not working with anyone who has medical needs. She just doesn't plan on running into Alexander Armistead, a local trapper and hunter who will do all he can to ensure Grace's survival and greatly respects her ability to heal people through herbs and natural remedies. He isn't ready for marriage or love based on a past he isn't sure he can ever reconcile. As hostilities begin to rise between the Cayuse Indians and the people living at the Mission, they believe that the doctor is out to poison them when an outbreak of measles hit them all hard and it seems more Indians are dying than the white people are. Perhaps it might be time to even the odds in the Cayuse Indian's favor.

I received Treasured Grace by Tracie Peterson compliments of Baker Publishing Group and Net Galley. 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. In a note to the reader, Tracie Peterson shares that "the Whitman Mission massacre is a well-known piece of history that forever changed the western frontier." I would agree. It is difficult not to find hatred for a race of people that violent killed so many innocent people without due cause and creates a historical reference for racial tensions that went back into the 1800's as the white man insisted on taking whatever land they wanted despite how the Indian tribes felt. It truly was a difficult life to face and how many people lost their lives in the process or those that survived were forever changed by what they witnessed. I give this novel a 5 out of 5 stars and can't wait for more from Tracie Peterson in this wonderful series of novels she has started.

For more information about Treasured Grace, Tracie Peterson, or where to pick up a copy of this novel, please click on the links below:

Treasured Grace by Tracie Peterson

You can find Tracie Peterson on Facebook to stay up to date with all her latest novels.

You can read more reviews of Treasured Grace by visiting Baker Publishing Group's website. 

Behind The Scenes

Fans of traditional regencies will definitely LOVE Jen Turano's latest novel Behind the Scenes! Miss Permilia Griswold is what society has deemed a wallflower, but she has the spirit to not let anyone tell her what she can and can't do, especially since her stepmother, Ida and stepsister, Lucy seem intent on making sure that she finds a suitable match and if not, to do nothing to embarrass their attempts to secure the right man for Lucy. Mrs. Ida Webster, a formidable lady one learned rather quickly not to cross - and a lady who staunchly believed a woman's place was in the home, not traveling around the country participating in...business.

For Permilia she loved being considered a wallflower. It was the only time she could travel with ease behind the scenes, observing society without anyone noticing. This would help her to blend in better at all the society functions Ida and Lucy insist she attend and one that would allow her to gather facts to write about in her society column under the pseudo name of Miss Quill. Only in this circumstance at the Vanderbilt ball, Permilia is about to face her greatest challenge, Mr. Asher Rutherford of Rutherford and Company. He is a self-made man who is society's greatest eligible bachelor who finds the untamed and unconventional spirit of Permilia to his liking for some odd reason. She holds nothing back and isn't about to conform to what Ida or Lucy deem appropriate for her. All she desires is to work with her father in his mining business and has taken it upon herself to learn all she can about the business world.

When she learns of a plot to murder Asher Rutherford while hiding in the Vanderbilt mansion, she will do whatever it takes to ensure that no harm comes to him, even if it means tarnishing her reputation. She even manages to gain some help from other wallflowers in an effort to be taken serious, of which Asher is convinced that Permilia has simply jumped to conclusions. Nevertheless, he finds simply being in her company to be like a moth to a flame only he needs to make sure that he doesn't get burned in the process. After all, most of society shops within the doors of Rutherford and Company for all their latest fashions and he needs to ensure that he doesn't do anything rash to make headlines in the local gossip columns.

I received Behind the Scenes by Jen Turano compliments of Baker Publishing Group and Net Galley. There is something to Jen Turano's writing style that casts a hook into you and you don't want this novel to end. Her character of Permilia is well-conceived, strong and determined and willing to not be a role model for what society deems is appropriate. She wants more out of life and isn't waiting around for a man to provide it. While she definitely has gumption, she also walks a tight-rope to ensure she doesn't embarrass her father and cause undo harm to his business while she seeks to find her own way in the world. I easily give this one a 5 out of 5 stars in my opinion and find myself relating to Permilia as that would likely be how I would have been in her world. No fear, bold and full of passion! This is the first novel in the Apart From The Crowd series and one I am looking forward to!

For more information about Behind the Scenes, Jen Turano, or where you can pre-order a copy of this novel due out in April, please click on the links below:

Behind the Scenes by Jen Turano

You can find Jen Turano on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Behind the Scenes, please visit Baker Publishing Group's website. 

For The Record

"A hero always came back for his lady."

That is a statement that Betsy Huckabee carried both in her heart and in her words. She longed one day to be a great writer and find a way to support herself so she wouldn't be a burden to her aunt and uncle any longer. Working to find interesting stories for the Pine Gap, Missouri paper wasn't easy in a small town where most folks knew the latest news even before it made it to print. She just knew that she had to try and find a way to make it on her own as an independently fierce woman of the frontier.

Since love was the furthest thing from her mind it was easy to stay on task. After all in a town the size of Pine Gap, pickens were slim when it came to eligible single men. She wasn't about to settle for anything less than her heart desired. For now it would have to be in the fictionalization she was working on mirroring the image in part of the town's newest deputy, Joel Puckett. He arrived in town to replace the former sheriff who had gotten a bit too lazy in dealing with the town's vigilante mob known as the Bald Knobblers. They believed they were doing what the law in town was unable to do and that was minister their own brand of justice. Deputy Puckett was hired to ensure this type of justice came to a dead end, one way or the other.

Just the perfect character for Betsy to mold her articles after, only she would change some of the details just in case Deputy Puckett happened to come across her stories. Not that he would be the type to read a newspaper printed in Kansas City. Until then Betsy would let the romance in her fictional articles be the only love she would pursue and with the Kansas City papers demanding more, it wouldn't be long before she would be able to move out on her own and make her own way in the world. If only the romance she wove on paper would manifest itself in her own life, then she might not have to settle for a single life in a small town.

I received For the Record by Regina Jennings compliments of Baker Publishing Group and Net Galley. What I absolutely love about Regina Jennings novels is that you are guaranteed a strong-willed, female character that isn't afraid to take on society's definition of what a woman should or shouldn't do coupled with not only heart-racing romance but also a blend of humor as her characters struggle to find their own identity in the late 1800's. Betsy's character isn't about to put stay put when there is a story to discover, even if it means putting herself in harms way. She will do whatever it takes to make a future for herself even if it means painting Deputy Puckett into her stories of a brave, determined but handsome hero. This is the third novel in the Ozark Mountain Romance Series and I would rate this novel a 4 out of 5 stars!

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For the Record by Regina Jennings

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