At Love's Command by Karen Witemeyer

 

At Love's command is an old fashioned western romance that satisfies a need to read of cowboys and frontiers. I loved Dr. Jo and Matthew Hanger is a hero worth drooling over. I really enjoyed the interaction and banter between these two characters. Both were witty and they had real depth. The setting of the old west is always fun. I loved the fact that Dr.Jo and Matthew were not ashamed of their faith. Karen Witemeyer is to be commended for another great book!. I hope to read more about Hanger's Horsemen in the future.

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

From Amazon:

Haunted by the horrors of war, ex-cavalry officer Matthew Hanger leads a band of mercenaries known as Hanger's Horsemen who have become legends in 1890s Texas. They defend the innocent and obtain justice for the oppressed. But when a rustler's bullet leaves one of them at death's door, they're the ones in need of saving.

Dr. Josephine Burkett is used to men taking one look at her skirts and discounting her medical skills. What she's not used to is having a man change his mind in a heartbeat and offer to assist her in surgery. Matthew Hanger's dedication to his friend during recovery earns Josephine's respect, and when she hears of her brother's abduction, he becomes her only hope for rescue.

Matt has stared down ruthless outlaws, betrayal, and injury, but when a bossy lady doctor crawls under his skin, his heart is tempted to surrender. And when she is caught in the crossfire, he may have to sacrifice everything--even his team--to save her.

  

About the author:

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Biography

For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warm-hearted historical romances with a flair of humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. A transplant from California, Karen came to Texas for college, met a cowboy disguised as a computer nerd, married him, and never left the state that had become home.

Winner of the HOLT Medallion, ACFW Carol Award, Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, National Reader's Choice Award, and a finalist for both the RITA and Christy Awards, Karen is a firm believer in the power of happy endings. . . and ice cream. She also loves to reward her readers. Every month she gives away two inspirational historical novels to someone from her newsletter list and offers substantial bonus content on her website. To learn more about Karen and her books, or to join her subscriber list, please visit www.karenwitemeyer.com.

An Ivy Hill Christmas by Julie Klassen

 

Fans of Julie Klassen's Ivy Hill books will be pleased to return to the quaint town and all of its characters. I enjoyed Ms. Klassen's nod to Dickens with some of the eccentric characters in this story. I really enjoyed a look into what a Christmas House party would have looked like in Regency times. It was fun to read about different customs. I always look forward to the pure enjoyment that comes from reading Julie's books. So stream some Christmas music and curl up with a hot chocolate and some cookies. Enjoy your visit to Ivy Hill!

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley .com and subsequently purchased a print copy for my collection. All thoughts are my own.

From Amazon:

Richard Brockwell, the younger son of Ivy Hill's most prominent family, hasn't been home for Christmas in years. He prefers to live in the London townhouse, far away from Brockwell Court, the old family secret that haunts him, and the shadows of his past mistakes. But then his mother threatens to stop funding his carefree life--unless he comes home for Christmas. Out of options, he sets out for Ivy Hill, planning to be back on a coach bound for London and his unencumbered bachelor life as soon as the festivities are over.

But Christmas in the country presents unforeseen surprises, including encounters with an orphaned apprentice, the first love he disappointed years ago, and Arabella Awdry, a young lady who is far more appealing than he recalled . . . and determined to have nothing to do with him.

Will Christmastime in Ivy Hill, with its village charm, kissing boughs, joyous songs, and divine hope, work its magic in his heart . . . and hers as well?

About the Author:

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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.

The Spice King by Elizabeth Camden

 

In the Spice King, Ms. Camden demonstrates her love for history and research. Her devotion to research gives her novels a depth that draws one in and causes one to lose all sense of time, only occasionally surfacing to tend to the family's needs. Gray and Annabelle are fascinating characters that lead each other on a merry chase. Both are honest to a fault and their devotion to family is quite admirable. I loved the plot and all of its twists and turns. and the fact that both Gray and Annabelle love God made the story all the better. So grab a mug of spiced chai and settle in for a great story.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley with no expectations and have since purchased my own print copy. All thoughts are my own.

From Amazon:

Gray Delacroix has dedicated his life to building his very successful global spice empire, but it has come at a cost. Resolved to salvage his family before it spirals out of control, he returns to his ancestral home to save his brother and sister before it's too late.

As a junior botanist for the Smithsonian, Annabelle Larkin has been charged with the impossible task of gaining access to the notoriously private Delacroix plant collection. If she fails, she will be out of a job and the family farm in Kansas will go under. She has no idea that in gaining entrance to the Delacroix world, she will unwittingly step into a web of dangerous political intrigue far beyond her experience.

Unable to deny her attraction to the reclusive business tycoon, Annabelle will be forced to choose between her heart and loyalty to her country. Can Gray and Annabelle find a way through the storm of scandal without destroying the family Gray is fighting to save?

About the author:

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Biography

Elizabeth Camden is best known for her historical novels set in gilded age America featuring clever heroines and richly layered storylines. Before she was a writer, she was an academic librarian at some of the largest and smallest libraries in America, but her favorite is the continually growing library in her own home. Her novels have won the RITA and Christy Award, and she lives in Florida with her husband who graciously tolerates her intimidating stockpile of books.

Beguiled by Jody Hedlund

 

Beguiled is Jody Hedlund's brand new retelling of Snow-white! I loved the theme that a beautiful heart is much more important than our outward appearance. Pearl and Mikkel, an outcast Princess and a Royal Prince undergoing testing are strong characters who learn to look upon the heart. Full of action, I think people of all ages will enjoy this story. Very engaging and delightful I highly recommend book 2 in The Fairest Maiden series!

So grab a hot chocolate and a comfy spot, you're sure to love Beguiled!

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

From Amazon:

In a land where being the fairest maiden is a curse . . .

A princess rejected and hunted by her mother, and a prince who lives as a shunned outcast.

Princess Pearl flees for her life after her mother, Queen Margery, tries to have her killed during a hunting expedition. Pearl finds refuge on the Isle of Outcasts among criminals and misfits, disguising her face with a veil so no one recognizes her. She lives for the day when she can return to Warwick and rescue her sister, Ruby, from the queen’s clutches.

Amidst his royal testing on the Isle of Outcasts, Prince Mikkel of Scania has kept his identity a secret. Captured by a warring band of outcasts and condemned to die, he finds himself making friends with an intriguing but feisty young veiled woman. Intending to win her trust and gain her help to escape, he soon finds himself coerced to wed her.

Mikkel reluctantly agrees to the union to save his life, and Pearl hopes the marriage will provide protection for her and Ruby. But the queen is more determined to kill her daughter than either Pearl or Mikkel realizes and has a sinister reason neither expects—one that could rip their new love apart forever.

The real Snow White story.

The Fairest Maidens
Book 1: Beholden
Book 2: Beguiled (Oct 2020)
Book 3: Besotted (Nov 2020)


Other 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

For a complete list of Jody's novels, visit her Amazon page or website - jodyhedlund.com

About the author:

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Biography

Jody Hedlund is the author of over thirty 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.