Messenger By Moonlight

I have such passion for historical fiction novels based on historical facts, in this case the Pony Express as the backdrop for Stephanie Grace Whitson's latest novel, Messenger By Moonlight. While the story line revolves primarily around Annie Paxton, the sister of Emmet and Frank, who find themselves in a bit of a predicament when they find their family home and farm lands sold from out under them to settle their father's excessive debts. Believing that God is in the details, they pack all their belongings into three trunks and head out to St. Joseph, Missouri in search of new futures. One thing is for certain, Emmet and Frank want to make sure that all of Annie's dreams come true and that begins with finding ways to earn money so she can have the home she has always wanted.

Frank and Emmet try their hand at auditioning for the Pony Express and find that they are but a handful that will be based in remote home station in Nebraska. Fearing she will be left alone, the brothers assure Annie, that they have secured her a job as a cook at the station house working for George Morgan, a man with a less than stellar reputation, but one they feel will be the best for all of them. They promise Annie if they can all do their part for two years, she will have everything she has ever wanted and more. For Annie it will mean learning to cook for more than 4 people, as not only will she have to deal with the stagecoach passengers but men who serve one of the local outposts at the fort as well. In fact, they are sure, Annie will have no problem with being alone once the local population finds out how beautiful the local cook at the station house is.

Now they will each face uncertainties they had never dreamed of before. Annie is trying to find her way in a world she knows very little about, working for gruff old man who has very little to say to her and instead keeps out of her way most of the time. Frank has to come to terms with the fact that Annie and Emmet have their faith to fall back on, while he struggles to come to terms with the fact that there is a God often times when you least expect Him to show up. Emmet, believes that he can save up enough money to secure the future of a girl he left in Buchanan County, Missouri if he can prove he can provide for her. But like all great novels, things aren't going to be as simple as that.

I received Messenger by Moonlight by Stephanie Grace Whitson compliments of Faith Words, a division of Hachette Book Groups for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation aside from a free copy of this book, in exchange for my honest and personal opinion. I really loved this novel because it involves not only Annie's story but also that of Emmet and Frank. They each have a bit of growing up to do and the challenges of life on the wild frontier is not always an easy one. The challenges of riding for the Pony Express isn't as straight forward as you might imagine as riding long distances can take a physical toll of the body as well as dealing with adversities like Indians, uncooperative horses and weather just to name a few. But the mail must move forward and this is a well written and engaging novel that fans of historical fiction will absolutely LOVE! 5 Stars in my opinion. An author's note at the conclusion of this novel highlights some of those unique facts about the Pony Express she used in the creation of this novel.

For more information about Messenger by Moonlight, Stephanie Grace Whitson or where you can pick up a copy of this novel today, please click on the links below:

Messenger By Moonlight by Stephanie Grace Whitson

You can find Stephanie Grace Whitson on Facebook to stay up to date on all her latest novels.

To read more reviews on Messenger by Moonlight, please visit Faith Word's website. 

Messenger by Moonlight is available in paperback and eBook formats at your favorite retailer. ISBN: 9781455529087, 352 pages.

A Patchwork Christmas

Sometimes it can be hard to find the time to read a really great Christmas story because so often we are too busy that reading a large novel be difficult. In A Patchwork Christmas by Judith Miller, Nancy Moser, and Stephanie Grace Whitson, the reader will be delighted to find three beautifully written short stories that give the reader the impression of reading a full length novel. Each is different and based in the historical late 1800's. This book is perfect for those of you wanting a taste of truly something amazing and are limited on time to complete a full length novel. Each of these three Christmas romances offer the reader something beautiful to keep the warmth of finding true love at the forefront of the holiday.

Seems Like Love by Judith Miller takes us back to Amana, Iowa to a small Amish town where we find Karla Stuke is working with her family running the town's hotel. Little did she expect to find her childhood friend, Frank Lehner to show up as a guest while working as an apothecary in training before moving to his own shoppe. Karla has found that hiding away working at the hotel keeps her from finding true love, since her own opinion of herself is quite low, considering her finace' left her for another woman. Thinking it's all based on her looks, she doesn't think that every a spark with her old friend can be ignited into anything more, but could Karla be wrong? This one is truly a fun and hopeful romance to enjoy.

A Patchwork Love by Stephanie Grace Whitson takes us back in time to find love between a war-veteran Peter Gruber who becomes a savior and hero at some point when a train finds itself stuck in the snow. Peter and his mother offer a warm food until the train can continue and he finds a young girl, Molly is ill. Since his mother is familiar with healing they offer Molly and her mom, Jane shelter until the train can move again. Jane has also injured herself in a fall and between them both, need more than just physical healing. Like Karla from the first story, Peter feels that since he has been disfigured from his service in the war that his hopes of every finding love is lost forever. Will Jane seem something more in Peter that just his external scars?

Finally in The Bridal Quilt by Nancy Moser, you find the classic love story of two people, Ada and Samuel that should be together but everything in their lives is keeping them apart. While they are dating, they are not yet engaged , and every single opportunity that presents itself, seems to turn out quite differently than what either of them was planning. In one case, she was hoping he was coming to ask her to marry him and finds out he only wants her help with finding gifts for the orphans instead. Even though his family wants Samuel to give up his charity efforts, Ada is all too willing to marry him, but it soon seems Samuel may never be ready to propose until another man appears in Ada's life. Will Samuel soon realize that the gift he's been searching for he been in front of him the whole time?

I received A Patchwork Christmas by these lovely, talent authors compliments of Barbour Publishers and Net Galley for my honest opinion. In each of these stories there is a profound message of hope and acceptance to be found, no matter what the circumstances may be. Included in all of them are discussion questions and wonderful recipes that would be an added bonus to any book club. There are also some quilting patterns for Christmas Ornaments as well for those looking for something a bit more than just a Christmas romance book!!! I rate this one a 4 out of 5 stars and think this is the perfect book for those looking for great short stories with a Christmas theme.

For more information about A Patchwork Christmas, Judith Miller, Stephanie Grace Whitson or Nancy Moser, or where to pick up your own copy of this delightful Christmas book, please click on the links below:

A Patchwork Christmas by Judith Miller, Stephanie Grace Whitson, and Nancy Moser

You can find them all on Facebook book to stay up with their latest books, simply click on their names to go to their pages.

Judith Miller
Stephanie Grace Whitson
Nancy Moser

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Barbour Books (September 1, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1616267488
• ISBN-13: 978-1616267483
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.7 x 1.3 inches

A Most Unsuitable Match

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Most Unsuitable Match Bethany House; Original edition (August 1, 2011) by Stephanie Grace Whitson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A native of southern Illinois, Stephanie Grace Whitson has lived in Nebraska since 1975. She began what she calls "playing with imaginary friends" (writing fiction) when, as a result of teaching her four homeschooled children Nebraska history, she was personally encouraged and challenged by the lives of pioneer women in the West. Since her first book, Walks the Fire, was published in 1995, Stephanie's fiction titles have appeared on the ECPA bestseller list numerous times and been finalists for the Christy Award, the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, and ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year.

Her first nonfiction work, How to Help a Grieving Friend, was released in 2005. In addition to serving in her local church and keeping up with two married children, two college students, and a high school senior, Stephanie enjoys motorcycle trips with her family and church friends. Her passionate interests in pioneer women's history, antique quilts, and French, Italian, and Hawaiian language and culture provide endless story-telling possibilities.

ABOUT THE BOOK

An unlikely attraction occurs between two passengers on a steamboat journey up the Missouri River to Montana...

She is a self-centered young woman from a privileged family who fears the outdoors and avoids anything rustic. He is a preacher living under a sense of duty and obligation to love the unlovable people in the world. She isn't letting anything deter her from solving a family mystery that surfaced after her mother's death. He is on a mission to reach the rejects of society in the remote wilderness regions of Montana. Miss Fannie Rousseau and Reverend Samuel Beck are opposites in every way... except in how they both keep wondering if their paths will ever cross again.

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Most Unsuitable Match, go HERE.

My Review:

Fannie Rousseau has been brought up the way most young lady's have in the late 1800's, that running a household and dealing with business and finance are for the men to deal with. So when her mother passes away, Fannie learns that instead of being left with enough money to get by, her father's business has failed and she is left almost penniless.

When she discusses her options with Mr. Vandekamp who has been handling her families finances, his options are selling enough of her families jewels to get her by until next year where he hopes she can find a suitable man to marry. Yet that is NOT what Fannie wants.

She finds some old letters in her mother's room that shows that she has an Aunt she has never met and wants to find her. The problem is she isn't exactly sure just where she is. So she takes a steamboat to Fort Benton along with her maid, Hannah, to where the last known address shows Edie LeClerc was. Along the way she meets Samuel Beck who is working on the ship as part of the crew and soon she finds there is more to Mr. Beck than meets the eye.

I received this book, A Most Unsuitable Match, compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review. I found the character of Fannie Rousseau to be a believable one who doesn't want what others think is best for her but instead is willing to step out in faith to where her heart is calling her, whether finding Edie or finding love where you least expect it. This one rates a 4.5 out of 5 stars!