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Saturday, December 28, 2019

The Bridge To Belle Island by Julie Klassen



The Bridge to Belle Island by Julie Klassen, while a good book is not my favorite book of hers. I think for me the problem was that I did not really like most of the characters. The plot was good but was a slow starter. Other than that I did enjoy this book once I got into it. By the time I reached the last quarter of the book, I had to keep reading, at that point I wanted to know what happened. So grab the beverage of your choice and settle in for a good read.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley.com with no expectations. All thoughts are my own. I did subsequently by my own paperback copy.

From Amazon:

After a humiliating mistake, lawyer Benjamin Booker resolves to never again trust a beautiful woman. When an old friend is killed, the senior partner isn't satisfied with Bow Street's efforts and asks Benjamin to investigate. Eager to leave London for a while, Benjamin agrees. Evidence takes him to a remote island on the Thames, a world unto itself, shrouded in mist and mystery. Soon he finds himself falling for the main suspect--a woman who claims not to have left the island in ten years. But should he trust her?

On Belle Island, Isabelle feels safe and leads a productive life, but fear keeps her trapped there. When Mr. Booker arrives with news of her trustee's murder in London, Isabelle is stunned. She has not left the island, yet she has a recurring dream about the man's death. Or is it a memory? She had been furious with him, but she never intended . . . this.

When a second person dies and evidence shockingly points to her, Isabelle doesn't know who to trust: the attractive lawyer or the admirer and friends who assemble on the island, each with grudges against the victim. Can she even trust her own mind? While they search for the truth, secrets come to light and danger comes calling.

About the author:

Biography

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. She worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her novels have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. She has also won the Minnesota Book Award, the Midwest Book Award, and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award. Julie is a graduate of the University of Illinois. She and her husband have two sons and live in St. Paul, Minnesota. Visit www.julieklassen.com and talesfromivyhill.com for more information.

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Protecting Tanner Hollow by Lynette Eason



Protecting Tanner Hollow by Lynette Eason is a collection of 4 novellas set in Tanner Hollow. I really enjoyed the way Ms. Eason created a small town with some unforgettable characters. Nolan and Jason Tanner are two upright guys just looking to keep their town safe. Fortunately they found love along the way. Derek St. Peter and Eli Murphy are also strong upright men. And the ladies are strong well defined characters. The plot moves along quickly with several murders and attempted murders. I highly recommend this series for a great weekend read.  grab your favorite beverage and visit Tanner Hollow.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley .com with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

From Amazon:

Four nail-biting novellas in one!

Lethal Homecoming
Nolan Tanner never got over Kallie Ainsworth's sudden, unexplained departure. Now when he comes to her rescue after an attempt on her life, all the old feelings come rushing back.

Lethal Conspiracy
When professional fundraiser Lillian Maloney sees her father's campaign manager commit murder, she goes on the run from the men he hires to kill her. A close call brings firefighter Jason Tanner to the rescue, but the killer is closing in . . .

Lethal Secrets
Someone wants Honor McBride dead. When Eli Murphy helps her change a flat tire and discovers the danger Honor is in, he longs to help--but Eli has secrets of his own that could get them all killed.

Lethal Agenda
When Detective Derek St. John rescues a woman he's met only once before--and has never been able to forget--he finds himself falling for her. But he'll have to keep Claire Montgomery alive if they're to have a future together.

About the author;

Biography

Award-winning, best-selling author, Lynette Eason writes for Harlequin's Love Inspired Suspense line and for Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. Her books have hit the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists and have won numerous awards such as the prestigious Carol Award, the Selah, the Daphne, the IRCC award and more. Lynette is married, has two children, and lives in Greenville, SC.

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

End Game by Rachel Dylan



If you are looking for edge of your seat action and multiple plot twists the Rachel Dylan's End Game is the book for you. Multiple agencies and their agents come together to solve the murder of an elite member of the military and a common laborer. Throw in a bit of romance and it is a story to keep you engaged from beginning to end. End Game moves Rachel Dylan into the realm of authors Dee Henderson, Dani Pettrey, and Terri Blackstock. So grab a pot of coffee and cuddle up in your favorite chairs for a fantastic read. You might want to plan on pizza and a babysitter so you can read straight through!

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley.com with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

From Amazon:

Releasing January 7, 2020

When elite members of the military are murdered on the streets of Washington, DC, FBI Special Agent Bailey Ryan and NCIS Special Agent Marco Agostini must work together to bring the perpetrator to justice. Unfortunately, all evidence points to a Navy SEAL sniper whom Bailey refuses to believe is guilty.

When Bailey and Marco start to connect the dots between the victims, including a link to a powerful defense contractor, they wonder if there's a deeper cover-up at play. Then Bailey is targeted, and it becomes clear that someone is willing to kill to keep their dark secrets.

With the stakes getting higher by the moment in a twisted conspiracy, there's a rush against the clock to determine whom they can really trust. As allies turn to enemies, the biggest secret yet to be uncovered could be the end of all of them.

About the author:









Biography

Rachel Dylan is an award-winning and bestselling author of legal thrillers and romantic suspense. Rachel has practiced law for over a decade including being a litigator at one of the nation’s top law firms. Rachel writes the Atlanta Justice Series which features strong, female attorneys in Atlanta. Deadly Proof, the first book in the Atlanta Justice series, is a CBA bestseller, an FHL Reader’s Choice Award winner, a Daphne du Maurier Finalist, and a Holt Medallion Finalist. Lone Witness is the winner of a Holt Medallion, the Maggie Award, and is a Selah Finalist. Rachel lives in Michigan with her husband and five furkids--two dogs and three cats. Rachel loves to connect with readers. You can find Rachel at www.racheldylan.com.

Sunday, December 1, 2019

In the Shadow Of the Queen by Kim Stokely



This is a new to me author that I will be reading more of in the future. Anna the Prophetess was only mentioned one time in the Bible. I think it is awesome how Kim Stokely wove a story around her. Ms. Stokely has certainly researched the time of Christ and included many local customs. I enjoy her writing style and she created a very interesting tale. the only thing that would have improved the story for me is if she had continued the story to the scene with Jesus. Other than that this was an awesome book! I read this on Kindle Unlimited. So grab yourself a cup of tea and settle in for a fantastic read.

From Amazon:

Jerusalem, 76 B.C.
For the first time in history, a woman rightfully reigns over Israel. The queen's rule gives Anna, a gifted young seamstress, opportunities for work and education she never thought possible. But to achieve her dreams, Anna must enter a world festering with intrigue and deceit. Those living within the queen's shadow already plot to seize the throne when she is dead. Even Lev, Anna's first love, is drawn into this underlying world of power, pleasure and political maneuvering.

Torn between her own desires and the traditions of her people, Anna's story is one of enduring courage and her inspired belief in God's love and faithfulness in all circumstances.

About the author:

Biography

The wife of a submariner, Kim lived in eight states during his twenty year career. She used her background in Drama (a B.F.A. from the University of Connecticut and a Master's Degree from Regent University) to stay relatively sane throughout all those moves by performing in various plays and musicals, including a one-person show about women in the Bible.

In 2004, the Navy transferred her family to Omaha, Nebraska, a perfectly logical move that never made sense to her mother. An avid reader, Kim has written novels in several genres, including Biblical, Contemporary, Inspirational Fiction and Young Adult Fantasy. Kim's novel, "Winter Trees," was a semi-finalist in the Christian Writer's Guild's 2010 Operation First Novel contest. Her non-fiction Inspirational and humor stories have appeared in several Chicken Soup for the Soul books, Vista, and online at www.thechristianpulse.com. She is a regular paid contributor to Thriving Family online magazine.

Please visit www.kimstokely.com to read a story, find out about upcoming performances, or just to say "hi.


Friday, November 29, 2019

The Major's Daughter by Regina Jennings



Regina Jennings always tells a good story and The Major's Daughter is no exception. I loved every word of this book. Frisco and Caroline have been friends for years, now they are in direct competition for a piece of land.  I enjoyed the fast-moving plot with a few plot twists thrown in to keep me guessing. I would suggest that readers read the first two books in the series before reading The Major's Daughter. My only regret is that this is the last book about the Adams family. So grab a mug of tea and curl up under a warm blanket for a wonderful read.

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

From Amazon:

Caroline Adams returns to Indian Territory after tiring of confining society life. She wants adventure, and when she and her friend Amber come across swaggering outlaw Frisco Smith, they find his dreams for the new territory are very persuasive. With the much-anticipated land run pending, they may just join the rush.

Growing up parentless, all Frisco Smith wanted was a place to call his own. It's no wonder that he fought to open the Unassigned Lands. After years of sneaking across the border, he's even managed to put in a dugout house on a hidden piece of property he's poised to claim.

When the gun sounds, everyone's best plans are thrown out the window in the chaos of the run. Caroline and Frisco soon find themselves battling over a claim--and both dig in their heels. Settling the rightful ownership will bring these two closer than they ever expected and change their ideas of what a true home looks like.

About the author:

Biography

Regina Jennings is the winner of the National Reader’s Choice Award, a two-time Golden Quill finalist and a finalist for the Oklahoma Book of the Year Award. A graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a minor in history, Regina has worked at the Mustang News and at First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She lives outside of Oklahoma City with her husband and four children when not traveling the world.

Visit Regina's website at www.reginajennings.com.

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Misleading Miss Verity by Carolyn Miller



Wow! I just finished reading Misleading Miss Verity and I believe it to be my favorite of all of Carolyn Miller's books. Verity is a delight, full of fun. She knows her own mind and is not afraid to face the consequences of her actions. Anthony Jardine is an interesting fellow who certainly grew into his role as Laird of Dungally. I thought the plot was fast-moving and entertaining. I am sincerely sorry that this is the final book in the Daughters of Aynsley books. I hope that Ms. Miller has a new series up her sleeve. So grab a pot of Scottish Breakfast Tea and a plate of scones to enjoy while you read Misleading Miss Verity.

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.


From Amazon:

Verity Hatherleigh has a mind of her own—but her actions do not impress her viscount papa. When she gets into one scrape too many, he sends her off to the wilds of Scotland to rethink her headstrong ways.

Anthony Jardine relished his role as curate, but his new duties as laird of Dungally aren’t always to his liking. Though he thought his new inheritance would be a blessing, somehow he’s finding nothing but trouble on these estates. And the intelligent, compassionate, feisty lass who was sent to rusticate in his territory is one of the biggest problems. He’s falling in love with her, but she doesn’t share the faith that’s his foundation—not to mention he’s been lying to her about who he really is. For the truth-loving Verity, that may be unforgivable.

The tangled web these two have woven may spell disaster for their happiness—and for the tenants of Dungally.

About the author:

Biography

Hi, I'm Carolyn Miller, author of 'The Elusive Miss Ellison'.

I live in the beautiful Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia.

I'm married, with four gorgeous children, who all love to read (and write!) as I do (except not in the Regency genre - funny, that!).

My favourite authors are classics like Jane Austen (of course!), Georgette Heyer, and Agatha Christie, but I also enjoy contemporary authors like Susan May Warren and Becky Wade.

I try to write stories that are fun and witty, yet also deal with real issues, such as dealing with forgiveness, the nature of really loving versus 'true love', and other challenges we all face at different times.

I hope you enjoy reading my novels. Thanks for stopping by!



Friday, November 15, 2019

Where the Fire Falls by Karen Barnett



Where the Fire Falls is a delightful novel about the early days of Yosemite National Park. Ms. Barnett has done a superb job of researching the park. She paints beautiful word pictures bringing wonderful scenes to one's mind. I could almost see the fire falling from the top of the cliff. I really enjoyed Olivia and Clark's story. They were so real. So grab a mug of hot chocolate and settle in for a fantastic read.

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.


From Amazon:

Stunning Yosemite National Park sets the stage for this late 1920s historical romance with mystery, adventure, heart, and a sense of the place John Muir described as "pervaded with divine light."

Watercolorist Olivia Rutherford has shed her humble beginnings to fashion her image as an avant-garde artist to appeal to the region's wealthy art-collectors. When she lands a lucrative contract painting illustrations of Yosemite National Park for a travel magazine, including its nightly one-of-a-kind Firefall event, she hopes the money will lift Olivia and her sisters out of poverty.

    After false accusations cost him everything, former minister Clark Johnson has found purpose as a backcountry guide in this natural cathedral of granite and trees. Now he's faced with the opportunity to become a National Parks Ranger, but is it his true calling?

    As Clark opens Olivia's eyes to the wonders of Yosemite, she discovers the people are as vital to the park's story as its vistas--a revelation that may bring her charade to an end.

About the author:

Biography

Karen Barnett is the award-winning author of The Golden Gate Chronicles (Out of the Ruins, Beyond the Ashes, and Through the Shadows) and Mistaken. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, two kids, and three mischievous dachshunds. When she's not writing, Karen enjoys photography, hiking, public speaking, decorating crazy birthday cakes, and dragging her family through dusty history museums. Oregon Christian Writers (OCW) honored her with the Writer of Promise Award in 2013 and a Cascade Award for her debut novel, Mistaken, in 2014. In 2016, she was named Writer of the Year by the prestigious Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. Karen is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Oregon Christian Writers (OCW) and has been published in Guideposts and other national magazines.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

The Painted Castle by Kristi Cambron



Kristi Cambron has again produced a split time novel. The painted Castle is the third book in her Lost Castle series. While it takes a while to get into the book as you are skipping back and forth between 3 different times and 3 different sets of characters. As I gt into each story I began to appreciate the talent that it takes to write 3 separate storylines and then fit them together in a way that makes sense, and even better, entertains. Kristi is one talented lady! I love reading about castles and she does an excellent job with descriptions. Referring back to the series I really enjoyed the three distinct castles, one each in France, Ireland, and England. The Foley family is quite engrossing and protective of each other. So grab your favorite beverage and settle in for a great read.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley.com with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

From Amazon:
A lost painting of Queen Victoria.
A library bricked off from the world.
And three women, separated by time, whose lives are irrevocably changed.
When art historian Keira Foley is hired to authenticate a painting at a centuries-old East Suffolk manor, she hopes this is just the thing to get her career and life back on track. But from the time she arrives at Parham Hill Estate and begins working alongside rumored art thief Emory Scott, she’s left with far more questions than answers. Could this lost painting of Queen Victoria be a duplicate of the original Winterhalter masterpiece, and if so, who is the artist?
As Keira begins to unravel the mystery behind the portrait, two women emerge from the estate’s forgotten past. In Victorian England, talented sketch artist Elizabeth Meade is engaged to Viscount Huxley, then owner of Parham Hill. However, Elizabeth’s real motive for being at Parham Hill has nothing to do with art or marriage. She’s determined to avenge her father’s brutal murder—even if it means a betrothal to the very man she believes committed the crime.
A century later, Amelia Woods—a World War II widow who has turned Parham Hill and its beloved library into a boarding school for refugee children—receives military orders to house a troop of American pilots. She is determined the children in her care will remain untouched by the war, but the task is proving difficult with officers taking up every square inch of their world . . . and one in particular vying for a space in Amelia’s long-shut up heart.
Set in three time periods—the rapid change of Victorian England, the peak of England’s home-front tensions at the end of WWII, and modern day—The Painted Castle unfolds a story of heartache and hope and unlocks secrets lost for generations just waiting to be found.
Praise for The Painted Castle:
“A gripping tale of secrets hidden behind the walls of an ancient English castle.” —KATE BRESLIN, bestselling author of Far Side of the Sea

About the author:

Biography

KRISTY CAMBRON is a vintage-inspired storyteller writing both award-winning historical fiction, including her bestselling debut The Butterfly and the Violin, and Bible studies, including the Verse Mapping series. Kristy is a passionate storyteller who travels to speak at events across the country, encouraging women to experience a deeper life in the Word through Verse Mapping. Her work has been named to Publishers Weekly Religion & Spirituality TOP 10, Library Journal Reviews’ Best Books, RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards, received 2015 & 2017 INSPY Award nominations, and has been featured at CBN, Lifeway Women, Jesus Calling, Country Woman Magazine, MICI Magazine, Faithwire, (in)Courage, and Bible Gateway.

Kristy holds a degree in Art History/Research Writing with nearly a decade of ministry experience as an author, speaker, and Women’s Ministry Leader, and 15+ years of experience in education and leadership development for a Fortune-100 Corporation working in partnership with such companies as the Disney Institute, IBM/Kenexa, and Gallup. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons where she writes in a beloved coffee shop corner with kayaks on the wall, and can probably be bribed with a peppermint mocha latte and a good read.
To stay connected, visit: www.kristycambron.com.

Friday, November 8, 2019

The Road to Paradise: A Vintage Park Novel by Karen Barnett


A delightful tale of the early days of Rainier National Park. I loved this story with its vivid descriptions of the mountain and the Meadows. The plot was interesting and kept me engaged. There is some romance with a love triangle that adds to the action. I had the privilege to visit Mount Rainier this summer and found many of the places to be as described. So grab your favorite beverage and settle in for a great read.

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

From Amazon:

An ideal sanctuary and a dream come true–that’s what Margaret Lane feels as she takes in God’s gorgeous handiwork in Mount Rainier National Park. It’s 1927 and the National Park Service is in its youth when Margie, an avid naturalist, lands a coveted position alongside the park rangers living and working in the unrivaled splendor of Mount Rainier’s long shadow.
 
But Chief Ranger Ford Brayden is still haunted by his father’s death on the mountain, and the ranger takes his work managing the park and its crowd of visitors seriously. The job of watching over an idealistic senator’s daughter with few practical survival skills seems a waste of resources.
 
When Margie’s former fiancé sets his mind on developing the Paradise Inn and its surroundings into a tourist playground, the plans might put more than the park’s pristine beauty in danger. What will Margie and Ford sacrifice to preserve the splendor and simplicity of the wilderness they both love?
 
Karen Barnett’s vintage national parks novels bring to vivid life President Theodore Roosevelt’s vision for protected lands, when he wrote in Outdoor Pastimes of an American Hunter: "There can be nothing in the world more beautiful than the Yosemite, the groves of the giant sequoias and redwoods, the Canyon of the Colorado, the Canyon of the Yellowstone, the Three Tetons; and our people should see to it that they are preserved for their children and their children's children forever, with their majestic beauty all unmarred."

About the author:

Biography

Karen Barnett is the award-winning author of The Golden Gate Chronicles (Out of the Ruins, Beyond the Ashes, and Through the Shadows) and Mistaken. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, two kids, and three mischievous dachshunds. When she's not writing, Karen enjoys photography, hiking, public speaking, decorating crazy birthday cakes, and dragging her family through dusty history museums. Oregon Christian Writers (OCW) honored her with the Writer of Promise Award in 2013 and a Cascade Award for her debut novel, Mistaken, in 2014. In 2016, she was named Writer of the Year by the prestigious Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. Karen is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Oregon Christian Writers (OCW) and has been published in Guideposts and other national magazines.

Monday, November 4, 2019

The President Is Missing by Bill Clinton and James Patterson



     Not being a Bill Clinton fan and never having read anything by James Patterson, I was not sure that I wanted to read Our President Is Missing. I am glad I threw caution to the wind and read this book. I really enjoyed the suspense of a missing president. I believe having President Clinton involved lent an air of reality to this book. The plot was strong and the characters were intriguing. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys political suspense.
            So grab a mug of coffee and settle in for a great read.


From Amazon:

#1 New York Times Bestseller
#1 USA Today Bestseller
#1 Wall Street Journal Bestseller
#1 Indie Bestseller

"
President Duncan for a second term!" --USA Today"This book's a big one." --New York Times
"Towers above most political thrillers." --Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"The plotting is immaculate . . . the writing is taut." --Sunday Times (London)"Ambitious and wildly readable." --New York Times Book Review
The President Is Missing confronts a threat so huge that it jeopardizes not just Pennsylvania Avenue and Wall Street, but all of America. Uncertainty and fear grip the nation. There are whispers of cyberterror and espionage and a traitor in the Cabinet. Even the President himself becomes a suspect, and then he disappears from public view . . .

Set over the course of three days, The President Is Missing sheds a stunning light upon the inner workings and vulnerabilities of our nation. Filled with information that only a former Commander-in-Chief could know, this is the most authentic, terrifying novel to come along in many years.




Monday, October 28, 2019

Hereafter, book 3 of the Lost Princesses by Jody Hedlund



Hereafter by Jody Hedlund is the third and final book in the Lost Princess series.  Emmiline is one of the twin daughters of the king and queen of Mercia. With the death of the king and queen in Always, a novella, Lance an Elite guard and Lady Felicia flee with the three Princesses. The Three are separated and Lance and Felicia raise Emmaline in the forest. This is Emmaline's story and it is a tale of love and courage. The story is again full of knights and treasure, princesses and bravery. I found this to be a thoroughly satisfying conclusion to the series. As always my biggest regret is that this is the end of the series and I will have to look for new adventures elsewhere. So grab a fluffy blanket and a pot of tea so that you can settle in for a grand adventure.

I must add that this series has some of the most beautiful covers I have seen!

I was given a copy of this book by the author with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

From Amazon:

The third lost princess. The final key to the treasure. And a battle for the throne.

Growing up deep in the forest as a poor charcoal burner’s daughter, Emmeline has always known her identity as a princess of Mercia, and she lives in fear of being caught and killed. When her adopted father returns from town with news regarding the imminence of war, Emmeline has no wish to join the rebellion against King Ethelwulf.

Prince Ethelrex, the strongest warrior in the land, has done everything he can to prove his loyalty to his father, including searching for the last lost princess. When Ethelrex finally captures Emmeline, the king commands his son to marry the princess in order to win the support of the people and undermine the rebellion.

Forced into marriage, Emmeline has one goal—to escape. But Ethelrex takes his marriage vows seriously, including his promise to love and cherish his wife, and has no intention of letting Emmeline getaway. As the battle for the throne rages, will the prince be able to win the battle for Emmeline’s heart?


About the author:

Biography

Jody Hedlund is the author of over twenty historicals for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards including the Christy, Carol, and Christian Book Award.

Jody lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy children, and five spoiled cats. Although Jody prefers to experience daring and dangerous adventures through her characters rather than in real life, she’s learned that a calm existence is simply not meant to be (at least in this phase of her life!).

When she’s not penning another of her page-turning stories, she loves to spend her time reading, especially when it also involves consuming coffee and chocolate.





Books by Jody:
YA books by Jody Hedlund:

The Lost Princesses
Prequel Novella: Always
Book 1: Evermore
Book 2: Foremost
Book 3: Hereafter

The Noble Knights
Prequel Novella: The Vow
Book 1: An Uncertain Choice
Book 2: A Daring Sacrifice
Book 3: For Love and Honor
Book 4: A Loyal Heart
Book 5: A Worthy Rebel

Other books by Jody Hedlund:

The Bride Ships Series
Book 1: A Reluctant Bride
Book 2: The Runaway Bride (March 2020)

The Orphan Train Series
Prequel Novella: An Awakened Heart
Book 1: With You Always
Book 2: Together Forever
Book 3: Searching for You

The Beacons of Hope Series
Prequel Novella: Out of the Storm
Book 1: Love Unexpected
Book 2: Hearts Made Whole
Book 3: Undaunted Hope
Book 4: Forever Safe
Book 5: Never Forget

The Michigan Brides Collection
Unending Devotion
A Noble Groom
Captured by Love

The Hearts of Faith Collection
The Preacher’s Bride
The Doctor’s Lady
Rebellious Heart

Historical
Luther and Katharina
Newton and Polly