A Refuge at Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky

  Carrie Turansky's third book in her Edwardian Brides series, A Refuge at Highland Hall, opens with some of the family living in London. But World War I has come to their door. The Zeppelins are bombing London and the men of the family decide the women and children must seek refuge at Highland Hall, the families estate out in the country. The Hall is large enough to house family and servants comfortably and the large gardens and fields make the place self sustaining. 

  Meanwhile love is blossoming between Penny Ramsey and Alex Goodwin an old friend of Penny's sister Kate's husband and Lady Julia Ramsey, Sir William's wife. Love also blossoms among the servants as Lydia finds herself attracted to Marius Ritter, an Englishman, born and raised but of German descent. Marius has been incarcerated at a nearby internment camp.

  The story is fast paced and very well written. The characters are complex and I found myself disappearing into the story and losing track of time.The characters lived their faith and freely discussed G-d with one another. Their love of Christ was quite evident, but natural, not forced or preachy. 

   I felt as though I could stop by Highland Hall and find the Ramsey's in residence ready to receive guests and going about their lives. But there is a bittersweet side to A Refuge at Highland Hall, it is the final story in the series and I will miss visiting the family.

   I was given this book by the author in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts are entirely my own.

Vlley of Decision by Lynne Gentry

Valley of Decision is the Third and Final (sob) installment in Lynne Gentry's Carthage Chronicles. Thirteen years have passed for Lisbeth and Maggie. Maggie is now an eighteen year old lady, determined to rescue her father Cyprian from being beheaded in third century Carthage. She ventures through the Well of the swimmers only to find she has returned as an eighteen year old, only days after leaving as a five year old child.
Lisbeth and her aging father follow Maggie through the well into the past.
Can people from the future alter the past or does G-d's plan  overwrite any changes they try to make? Lisbeth and Maggie learn several truths about themselves and about the power of love. There are decisions to be made, who will be strong enough to make the decisions and who will be strong enough to submit? The tension rises throughout the book to reach a final heart-wrenching conclusion. I will certainly miss Lisbeth, Cyprian and Maggie.

I was given this book by the author but was not required to offer a specific opinion. All thought's and opinions are entirely my own.