Review: The Distant Sound of Thunder

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

Katie Stuckey and Jonas Weaver are both romantics. Seventeen-year-old Katie is starry-eyed, in love with the idea of being in love, and does not want to wait to marry Jonas until she is eighteen, despite her parents’ insistence. So much can happen in a year. Twenty-year-old Jonas is taken in by the romance of soldiering, especially in defense of anti-slavery, even though he knows war is at odds with the teachings of the church. When his married brother’s name comes up in the draft list, he volunteers to take his brother’s place. But can the commitment Katie and Jonas have made to each other survive the separation?

From the talented pen of Jan Drexler comes this brand new Amish series set against the backdrop of the Civil War. She puts her characters to the test as they struggle to reconcile their convictions and desires while the national conflict threatens to undermine and engulf their community.

Rating: 4-stars

Review:

The Distant Sound of Thunder by Jan Drexler gives an insider’s view to the realities of an Amish lifestyle. The people are forbidden to live like the outsiders. Violence is not their way of life. However, a young Amish man wants to serve in the military. But he has decisions to make. He has a young Amish woman waiting for his hand in marriage and he has to follow the community rules. Despite what his community says, young Jonas enlists in the army in his brother’s place. I was amazed at the young man’s courage and bravery. He steps up to serve his country and at the same time manages a way to follow his faith. Jan Drexler offers a clean Christian read full of emotions. I recommend this book to readers everywhere.

Review: Savage Liberty by Eliot Pattison

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

The fifth installation of Eliot Pattison’s Bone Rattler series follows the exiled Scotsman Duncan McCallum to the stepping-stones of the American Revolution

Acclaimed author Eliot Pattison continues his Bone Rattler series as Duncan McCallum is drawn into dark intrigue surrounding the Sons of Liberty in this gripping thriller set in the early days of the American revolution.

Pattison’s deep historical knowledge and attention to detail brings a young America to life, immersing the reader in the atmosphere and events that were to lead to the American rebellion. Protagonist Duncan McCallum is lead into a mystery of murder, treachery, and intrigue with Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and a secret society of American patriots organizing to resist the British throne.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

Savage Liberty by Eliot Pattison is a novel that sent me back in time. I love following Scottish characters. I have never read a novel, where they were never not in trouble. There was always something going wrong to keep the action steady. Duncan MaCallum’s life was interesting. Death was constantly hanging over his head. Duncan is a strong, determined, and stubborn man. He appeared foolish but is not. He is braver than most men. His relationship with the strong-willed woman, Sarah, is beautiful. Both are good people struggling to survive in their new world. Boston was a place of danger, violence, and uprising. Duncan was smart to leave there but somehow it still chased after him. The time period was captured perfectly. Eliot Pattison created this story in way that deeply engaged me in all the characters’ lives. I felt as though I just lived through them all. Overall, I would recommend this to history fans and historical fiction lovers. This was fun to follow.

Review: A Duke Like No Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Synopsis:

First comes love, then comes marriage. Unless it’s the other way around. . .

General Mark Grimaldi has sacrificed everything for his military career, working his way through the ranks without the benefit of a nobleman’s title. Now, his years of dedication are about to pay off—with an offer for a prestigious promotion to Home Secretary. There’s only one condition: Mark must be married. Aside from the small matter of not actually wanting to be wed, Mark faces another troubling problem: he already has a wife.

Nicole Huntington Grimaldi has spent ten contented years in France without her husband—and without regret. When Mark asks her to return to London and play the part of his beloved wife, she sees her chance. But neither of them is prepared for news that will throw Mark’s future into chaos…nor the undeniable desire they’ve rekindled. Maybe happily-ever-after can happen the second time around in A Duke Like No Other, the next Regency romance from Valerie Bowman.

Valerie Bowman’s Playful Brides novels are:

“Wholly satisfying.”—USA Today

“Smart and sensual…readers will be captivated.”—RT Book Reviews

“Smoldering.” —Booklist

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

A Duke Like No Other by Valerie Bowmanis another enchanting romance. A historical that pushes boundaries and sinks its teeth into my heart. The plot was fast-paced, engaging, and emotional. Two protagonists both with a desire to work in a dangerous field and do what is right. Despite their Desiree and attraction, both hide things from each other. This causes a rift to form and both fall apart. A marriage based on love but broken by secrets. Neither one was able to let his or her pride down to set things right between them. Ten years later, life has a way of bringing them back together. One wants to become a mother and the other the Secretary of State.

However, to become Secretary of State he needs his wife back in England to assume the position of a family man. General Mark Grimadali is more of a family man than most presume and more than he, himself thinks he is. It was funny watching his troubles, fears, and heart explode among the pages. His wife Nicole is jus s strong of character as her husband. Stubborn to a fault…she can’t hide her feelings any longer. Afraid of a broken heart again, she is prepared to leave her husband she loves one more…but could he really not love her? Both are grave, smart, and charming. I fell hard and fast for these characters. Their personalities and struggles were exciting to follow. Overall, I highly recommend this historical regency novel.

Review: To Wager Her Heart

Synopsis:

With fates bound by a shared tragedy, a reformed gambler from the Colorado Territory and a Southern Belle bent on breaking free from society’s expectations must work together to achieve their dreams—provided that the truth doesn’t tear them apart first. 
Sylas Rutledge, the new owner of the Northeast Line Railroad, invests everything he has into this venture, partly for the sake of the challenge. But mostly to clear his father’s name. One man holds the key to Sy’s success—General William Giles Harding of Nashville’s Belle Meade Plantation. But Harding is champagne and thoroughbreds, and Sy Rutledge is beer and bullocks. Sy needs someone to help him maneuver his way through Nashville’s society, and when he meets Alexandra Jamison, he quickly decides he’s found his tutor. Only, he soon discovers that the very train accident his father is blamed for causing is what killed Alexandra Jamison’s fiancee—and what has broken her heart. 
Spurning an arranged marriage by her father, Alexandra instead pursues her passion for teaching at Fisk University, the first freedmen’s university in the United States. But family—and Nashville society—do not approve, and she soon finds herself cast out from both. Through connections with the Harding family, Alexandra and Sy become unlikely allies. And despite her first impressions, Alexandra gradually finds herself coming to respect, and even care for this man. But how can she, when her heart is still spoken for? And when Sy’s roguish qualities and adventuresome spirit smack more of recklessness than responsibility and honor? 
Sylas Rutledge will risk everything to win over the woman he loves. What he doesn’t count on is having to wager her heart to do it. 
Set against the real history of Nashville’s Belle Meade Plantation and the original Fisk University Jubilee Singers ensemble, To Wager Her Heart is a stirring love story about seeking justice and restoring honor at a time in history when both were tenuous and hard-won. 

Rating: 4.5-stars 

Review:

To Wager Her Heart by Tamera Alexander is a brilliant historical romance. Full of emotions. Both protagonists find themselves in  a world of hurt that binds them together. Each one seeking something with the help of the other. Tamera Alexander brought me back into the era of railroads and their danger. High clout families, politics, and the risks of falling in love. The stakes are high and the scenes are engaging. Themes of loss, honor, and hope are found here. I was intrigued with both the southern belle determined to make her own way and the troubled man taking on a huge task. Heartfelt, entertaining, and well-developed. Alexandra Jamison is a strong female character. She worked hard and it paid off…the feeling of accomplishment back then in her time period was the best part of the book. To Wager Her Heart has won my heart over many times. I highly recommend it to readers worldwide. 

Review: The Cavendon Luck

 

Synopsis:

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author comes a captivating epic saga of courage and honor, following the aristocratic Inghams and the loyal Swann family who have served them for centuries.

It is 1938 in England, and Miles and Cecily Ingham have led the family in bringing the Cavendon estate back from the brink of disaster. But now, with the arrival of World War II, Cavendon Hall will face its biggest challenge yet. It is a challenge that will push the Inghams and Swanns to protect each other and the villagers and reveal their true capacity for survival and rebirth.

Told with Bradford’s deft, evocative prose and featuring a beloved cast of characters, The Cavendon Luck is a story of intrigue, romance, sorrow, and joy that readers won’t soon forget.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

The Cavendon Luck by Barbara Taylor Bradford reminds me so much of my beloved favorite British TV program, The Downton Abbey.  Both are about keeping the family place afloat during tough times. There’s always a disaster of some sort just around the corner and right after everything seems to be doing well. Barbara Taylor Bradford lures her audience back to 1938 where it all begins…The Cavendon Luck is an extraordinary historical fiction that will grab readers instantly with its intrigue and fascinating cast of characters. The emotional journey is quite a ride. Just as in real life, the roads get bumpy, tough or easy and joyous.

After reading this stunning new title by Barbara Taylor Bradford, I would love to see this turned into a big motion picture. The story brings readers in both emotionally and physically. The scenes are so vivid that they pop off the pages into the reader’s mind. The tightly knit family showered with so much love makes readers’ hearts melt into butter. The idea of war and what it might brings sounds alarms within the characters. It causes a curtain of suspense to hang thickly in the air as every page is quickly turned. Cavendon Hall is brought back and safe for the moment but how much longer will that last if war does set in? Readers will love the two families both the Inghams and the Swanns.  The tale is switched from telling it from the character’s point of view to the narrator’s. Excitement, danger, and livelihoods are all on a tight line where the Cavendon Hall is concerned. So many have put in so much to keep it going…World War II is just around the corner fear, death, and loss will soon be upon them all. Friendship, romance, and courage are all a part of this magnificent thrilling novel. I couldn’t put the book down…until I read it all. Readers will indeed fall in love with this second masterpiece by Barbara Taylor Bradford. Overall, I highly recommend The Cavendon Luck to readers worldwide.

 

Review: The Second Chance

 

Synopsis:

Award winning author, Christina Paul, presents:

A SECOND CHANCE (First in the Bradford Series)

In this historical novel, set in early 1800s England, a young widow, an enigmatic injured man, a kidnapped woman and a smart-alecky butler come together in a moving adventure full of intrigue, suspense and of course romance.

While Graydon, a lead operative for the Crown, struggles to heal and regain his memory sufficiently to rescue his kidnapped niece, Kathryn wonders whether she can possibly risk trusting again and taking a second chance at love.

Laugh and love along with the characters of A Second Chance and watch as they learn that vulnerability can be the strength, and the most perplexing problems can be overcome with the support and resourcefulness of faithful friends.

Rating: 5 stars

Review:

A Second Chance by Christina Paul is by far the juiciest and most addictive historical romance that I have ever read. The leading female character will draw readers in unlike any other. I have finally found a well-rounded leading female who isn’t flawlessly unreal and one who intrigues me more by every sentence. Christina Paul has beautifully captured the historical time period down to every detail. The language and scenes are vivid. Readers will feel as though they were watching the scenes in life than just reading them off the pages. A Second Chance is so much more than just two strangers meeting and given a chance to be together…it is about more than one character, given a second chance at having the life they always wanted but didn’t think they would get. Readers will instantly be pulled into this romantic yet funny tale as it unfolds.

Inside A Second Chance, Christina Paul immediately introduces readers to how women’s lives were so easily controlled by men. In the beginning, not only was one woman forced to love a man she didn’t love but so was that one man forced to love her as well. From there they went on to make a life out of what life tossed their way. Soon, Kathyrn’s life changes once more…this time her husband is gone and she’s left to raise her two boys. Time goes by and they are grown…then life decides to toss another unexpected outcome her way. Kathryn is soon led to a man who is injured badly. Right away, she goes about saving his life. While she helps him get back to health, she finds herself attracted to the handsome stranger. Once he heals, she and her staff find out who he is and what happened. That’s when her life goes from peaceful quiet to chaotic and interesting. Can Kathryn finally find the love she always wanted and what other surprises lay in store? Readers will love this exciting read from the first page and will not part with it until they finish reading it. A hot, sexy, yet sweet story that will forever, sweep readers off their feet. Danger, adventure, and romance await…I highly recommend this fascinating novel to readers worldwide.