This is a very good western historical romance. I enjoyed the characters and really want to know what happened to all the people that were on the wagon train. What happens to all these families. I loved the story. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
I give this book a four out of five stars.
Publisher Description
She’s running from grief. He’s running from war memories. Can they find love on this dangerous journey west?
Cornelia’s parents send her to America hoping to heal her heart. Accompanied by her protective brother, they’ll travel by covered wagon to the Colorado Territory to search for gold. When Cornelia meets a man who seems as troubled as the friend she lost, it seems she might be given a second chance to save someone before it’s too late.
Jake, once a prisoner of the Union Army leaves Tennessee in disgrace. He wants nothing more than to find enough gold to start a new life. The last thing he wants is to fall in love.
Can the feisty Cornelia make him leave his past behind?
As the wagon train brings them together, will they look beyond past promises and old pain and discover treasure worth more than gold?
You will love this sequel to A Bride’s Dilemma in Friendship, Tennessee because everyone craves a second chance. If you like stories about the Oregon Trail, happily-ever-after, and Christian romance, this book is for you. Start your journey with Cornelia and Jake today!
I loved this magical story. I have just started to get into the cozy mysteries that have magic in them in the last year or so and this has always been one of my favorite series. I love June and her magical powers and the rest of the town. June needs to make sure that her town stays a mystery or it might disappear. She needs to help solve a murder while she is pregnant. I love all the characters and the familiar. I did not want to put this book down. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
I give this book a five out of five stars.
Publisher Description
Welcome to Whispering Fall where magic and mystery collide!Bubble…Bubble…June Heal and Oscar Park are beyond thrilled with the upcoming arrival of their baby.Cures and Trouble…June’s pregnancy is turning out to more at risk than anticipated and she has to go to a specialist doctor outside of Whispering Falls where patients are nosey and hormones are raging, leaving the nurses and receptionist at their wits ends and bickering at each other.Magic Stirs…Poor June is put on limited activity. The baby is proving to a little mischievous and magic before it’s even born and leaving the doctors a little miffed with all the different ultrasound shenanigans.Trouble Doubles…June’s hormones have messed with her intuition and spiritual gifts, leaving her unsure of things going on around her.On one of her many doctor appointments, June arrives a little early and find the receptionist strangled to death.June can’t help herself and decides to put her amateur and magical sleuthing skills to the test to try to bring the killer to justice…or are her hormones deceiving her?
This is a fantastic cozy mystery. I started with book 2 so I hope to read book one soon. You do not need to read these 2 in order to know the characters. I love cozies and this one has it all. It has the older characters and some younger ones. This also seems to have a great small time. This story was very good. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
I give this book a five out of five stars.
Publisher Description Welcome to the March Street Café, where coffee, sandwiches, and murder are on the menu.
The Bingo Jubilee was going great! Most of Marchville was competing for the giant cash prize, but for Kelly it was just a good catering job.
The night was filled with fun, games, and all the secrets and rivalries of a small town. Despite that, the pay was good and the work took Kelly’s mind off some recent disturbing news.
Yes, the Bingo Jubilee was going great….until they found the body.
Now Kelly is once more flung into the middle of an investigation. Will she find the culprit before they strike again, and will Grandma Iris get the scoop to dish on her arch-rival Shirley?
March Street Mayhem is the second short cozy mystery in the March Street Cozy Mysteries. It has no sex, no gore, and no swearing. It’s a short read, perfect for giving yourself a little treat in between tasks in your busy day.
As always Amy Clipston tells a fantastic story. Allen and Laura have each suffered a devastating loss and help each other learn to cope with this loss. I love how the author has these two characters learn how to get through this loss. I laughed and cried through this book. I always look forward to reading these Amish stories. I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
I give this book a five out of five stars.
Publisher Description
When tragedy strikes a family in Lancaster County, can two young Amish people find the hope that lies on the other side?
“This story of profound loss and deep friendship will leave readers with the certain knowledge that hope exists and love grows through faith in our God of second chances.” –Kelly Irvin, author of the Every Amish Season series
Laura Riehl is no stranger to heartache. Less than a year after her mother’s death, Laura finds herself burying another loved one: her best friend, Savilla, who has died after a brief and sudden illness. Laura feels heartbroken and alone, but her pain is nothing compared to that of Allen, the husband Savilla has left behind. He now faces a life so different from the one he imagined–plus a baby to care for on his own.
When Laura offers to help Allen with baby Mollie, he jumps at the opportunity until a permanent solution can be found. She’d do anything to lend a hand to Allen and to honor her best friend’s memory. Rudy, Laura’s boyfriend, is initially supportive of her plan, but the more time Laura spends with Allen, the more jealous and frustrated Rudy seems to become.
As Laura and Allen face hardships together, their friendship takes a surprising yet comforting turn–and she discovers an attraction she’s never felt with Rudy. Would falling for Allen betray the people she cares about most, or would denying those feelings betray her heart? This latest installment in the Amish Homestead series returns us to Lancaster County, home of the beloved Riehls, where a family’s strength–and advice from a new friend–may help Laura find God’s direction.
This sweet read is the second book in Amy Clipston’s Amish Homestead series, but it can also be enjoyed as a standalone novel.
This is a hard book for me to categorize. I really enjoyed the story but was confused at times as to what was really going on in the lives of the people in this town. I loved the main characters but as the story progressed it was hard to know who they really were. Could what was happening be real or was this someone’s imagination. This really kept me wondering who and what these people were. This definitely kept my interest. I received a copy of this book from Revell for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
I give this book a five out of five stars.
Before Dan opened his door to find a wounded woman who had escaped from the tormentors in the mountain, his life had become rather quiet. He and the eight other people in the mostly abandoned town had become friends. They spent peaceful evenings around the campfire and even made vague plans to journey east one day and leave the ominous mountain behind.But the woman’s arrival changes everything. Who is she? How does she know so much about Dan’s brother, who is still held captive in the mountain? Why are long-forgotten memories rising to the surface? And why does Dan feel so compelled to keep her presence in his house a secret?Visionary writer Shawn Smucker is back with an unsettling story that invites us to consider two challenging questions: To what lengths will we go to assuage our own guilt? and Is there a limit to the things we will do for the people we love?
This was an interesting story about the woman who loved the Prince of Wales before Wallis. This takes place during the 1920’s and the 1930’s between England and America. The story is mainly about Thelma and her life before she me met David, Prince of Wales. It also centers around her sisters trial in America for the custody of her daughter against their mother and a Vanderbilt. I wanted to feel sorry for Thelma’s sister, Gloria, but it was hard to do when she was trying to live the life of a jet setter. I found it hard to put down because I knew nothing about these people. I definitely did not agree with their lifestyle. I received a copy of this book from HarperCollins Publishing for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
I give this book a four out of five stars.
Publisher Description
“Brimming with scandal and an equal amount of heart…a sweeping yet intimate look at the lives of some of history’s most notorious figures from Vanderbilts to the Prince of Wales… A must-read.”–Chanel Cleeton, New York Times bestselling author of When We Left Cuba and Next Year in Havana
“Bryn Turnbull takes a story we think we know and turns it on its head, with captivating results… A beautifully written, meticulously researched and altogether memorable debut.”–Jennifer Robson, USA TODAY bestselling author of The Gown
In the summer of 1926, when Thelma Morgan marries Viscount Duke Furness after a whirlwind romance, she’s immersed in a gilded world of extraordinary wealth and privilege. For Thelma, the daughter of an American diplomat, her new life as a member of the British aristocracy is like a fairy tale–even more so when her husband introduces her to Edward, Prince of Wales.
In a twist of fate, her marriage to Duke leads her to fall headlong into a love affair with Edward. But happiness is fleeting, and their love is threatened when Thelma’s sister, Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt, becomes embroiled in a scandal with far-reaching implications. As Thelma sails to New York to support Gloria, she leaves Edward in the hands of her trusted friend Wallis, never imagining the consequences that will follow.
Bryn Turnbull takes readers from the raucous glamour of the Paris Ritz and the French Riviera to the quiet, private corners of St. James’s Palace in this sweeping story of love, loyalty and betrayal.
Bryn Turnbull is a writer of historical fiction with a penchant for fountain pens and antique furniture. Equipped with a Master of Letters in Creative Writing from the University of St. Andrews, a Master of Professional Communication from Ryerson University, and a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from McGill University, Bryn focuses on finding the stories of women found within the cracks of the historical record. When she’s not writing, Bryn can be found exploring new coffee shops, spending time with her family in cottage country, or traveling. She lives in Toronto, and can generally be found with a book in hand.
Book Summary:
An irresistible historical debut, THE WOMAN BEFORE WALLIS (MIRA Trade Paperback; July 21, 2020) is set in the glamorous world of British and American royalty in the 1920s, based on the true story of the woman who owned Prince Edward’s heart before introducing him to her dear friend Wallis. Perfect for fans of Netflix’s The Crown and Jennifer Robson’s The Gown.
Before Edward, Prince of Wales famously abdicated his throne for American divorcee Wallis Simpson, he loved another American woman: Thelma Morgan Furness, sister to the first Gloria Vanderbilt. This is her story.
The daughters of an American diplomat, Thelma and Gloria Morgan were stars of New York social scene in the early 1920s, dubbed “the magnificent Morgans.” Both would marry into wealth and privilege beyond their imaginations, Gloria to Reggie Vanderbilt, and Thelma to a viscount. Thelma begins an affair with Edward, the dashing Prince of Wales, that will last nearly five years.
Then, in 1934, Thelma’s life is upended by her sister Gloria’s custody trial — a headline-grabbing drama known as The Matter of Vanderbilt, which dominates global news for months and raises the bar for tabloid sensationalism. Back in New York, sued by members of her late husband’s family on charges of negligence, unfit parenting and homosexuality, Gloria needs her twin’s support more than ever. But as her sister gains international notoriety, Thelma fears that her own fall from grace might not be far behind.
I enjoyed reading about the parents of Queen Elizabeth ll. I have read very little about this time period in the English monarchy. It made me want to read more about Queen Mary and others of this time period. I received a copy of this book from edelweiss and Netgalley for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
I give this book a four out of five stars.
If you love Jennifer Robson or The Crown you will love New York Times bestselling author Karen Harper’s novel about Elizabeth, The Queen Mother.
1939. As the wife of the King George VI and the mother of the future queen, Elizabeth—“the queen mother”—shows a warm, smiling face to the world. But it’s no surprise that Hitler himself calls her the “Most Dangerous Woman in Europe.” For behind that soft voice and kindly demeanor is a will of steel.
Two years earlier, George was thrust onto the throne when his brother Edward abdicated, determined to marry his divorced, American mistress Mrs. Simpson. Vowing to do whatever it takes to make her husband’s reign a success, Elizabeth endears herself to the British people, and prevents the former king and his brazen bride from ever again setting foot in Buckingham Palace.
Elizabeth holds many powerful cards, she’s also hiding damaging secrets about her past and her provenance that could prove to be her undoing.
In this riveting novel of royal secrets and intrigue, Karen Harper lifts the veil on one of the world’s most fascinating families, and how its “secret weapon” of a matriarch maneuvered her way through one of the most dangerous chapters of the century.
I did not want to put this book down. I needed to find out who was killing animals in this small resort town near New York and who was after Olivia years after she had moved away and then come back to try to work through what had happened to her 5 years before. No one seems the same. Everyone seems to have changed over the years. There are many twists and turns throughout. I received a copy of this book from Wattpad books for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
I give this book a five out of five stars.
Title: The Summer I Drowned Author: Taylor Hale Publisher: Wattpad Books Release Date: May 26, 2020 Genre: Teens & YA ISBN: 9781989365182 Price: $10.99 (USD)
Description: Five years after almost drowning, Olivia Cathart returns home to Caldwell Beach determined to face her fears and take some risks—not just by swimming, but by opening her heart. Hoping to rekindle her friendships, she’s excited about a carefree summer with her best friends Keely and Miles. But life in the sleepy town has changed, and no one and nothing is as it seems.
When a series of startling crimes threaten Olivia’s fragile state, she is plunged into a terrifying game of cat and mouse. Her only solace from the chaos is West, Miles’s disowned and ruggedly handsome brother, but even he can’t answer the question on everyone’s minds—is Olivia really in danger or is it simply all in her head?
Author Bio: Taylor Hale was born in Southwestern Ontario, and started writing on Wattpad in 2015. When she isn’t writing, she can be found bartending at a live music venue, and thinking up her next idea. The Summer I Drowned is her first novel.
About Wattpad Books: Wattpad Books, a division of Wattpad, is the leader in data-backed publishing. Leveraging billions of daily insights from Wattpad’s global community of 70 million book lovers, Wattpad Books combines the best of art and science, using human expertise and Story DNA Machine Learning technology to identify the trends, voices, and stories that are the future of publishing. By elevating the stories of diverse communities around the world, Wattpad Books is creating new space for writers and fans of every genre. Visit books.wattpad.com for more information.
This was a wonderful ending to a fantastic series. This made me laugh and cry. This gave an idea of how the southerners saw the northerners after the war and hopes the northerners saw the aftermath of the war. As it shows all people were to blame for what happened after the war was over. It was hard for everyone to be able to change with the times. Change is hard for all. I really liked how the Ku Klux Klan was handled at this time. That is not a time period I would have wanted to live through. I loved the characters in all of these books. I received a copy of this book from Revell for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
I give this book a five out of five stars.
In the fine tradition established by her Southern grandmama, Aurora Daughtry has recently orchestrated the marriage of her eldest sister and facilitated her middle sister’s engagement. She also rejoices in her part in transforming the family’s dilapidated plantation manor into a luxurious and lucrative resort hotel. Just when it seems there is nothing left to absorb her considerable talent for managing people, in walks federal deputy marshal Zane Sager.
But Zane is not at Daughtry House for a vacation. He’s tracking a killer and collecting two key witnesses to a federal judge’s murder.
Aurora takes it upon herself to disabuse the cynical lawman of his conviction that the world–and God in particular–is out to get him. But just as she’s on the verge of cracking Zane’s defenses, the man he is after reminds him that no one he loves is safe. Ever.
Award-winning author Beth White closes out her Daughtry House series with this exciting and emotional tale of two strong-willed people who may have met their match.
This is a collection of three early romances that Wanda E. Brunstetter wrote. The first two are related and the third has completely different characters. They are all related in that they are inspirational and the characters learn to trust in God again. My favorite of the three was the last one even though I am not fond of the daughter. These are all very good romances. I received a copy of this book from Barbour for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
I give this book a four out of five stars.
Brunstetter’s First Published Novels Brought Back to Print Enjoy a collectible volume of three early novels by New York Times bestselling author Wanda E. Brunstetter. Meet three couples from Washington state who are who are surprised by love.
Clowning Around Always a fun-loving prankster even when not personifying Slow-Joe the Clown, Joe Richey tries to win the heart of always steady and serious Lois Johnson.
The Neighborly Thing Glen Olsen is rather fascinated by his new neighbor, Sinda Shull, who keeps herself shut away, working at a home business. But Glen’s daughter is trying to prove that Sinda is up to no good.
Talking for Two Despite stuttering, Tabby enrolls in a class on ventriloquism, but guidance from handsome professional Seth Byers could destroy the little self-confidence she has.
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