Mark Of Distinction by Jessica Dotta

Mark of Distinction by Jessica Dotta is the second book in her Victorian trilogy. It takes up where Born Of Persuasion ended, with Julia Elliston moving in with the man who claims to be her father, Roy Pierson. Julia Pierson, as she is now known, is the Emerald Heiress, a woman who stands to inherit a massive fortune. Her father must come up with an explanation for where she has been for her formative years, and also prepare her for Victorian Society including a presentation at Court.
Mark Of Distinction is filled with plot twists and is reminiscent of Charlotte Bronte's writings. I am anxiously waiting for The Price Of Privilege so that I can finally find out who Julia Elliston Pierson is and who she will finally marry.

The Bound Heart : The Everstone Chronicles, book 2 by Dawn Crandall

I have just finished reading The Bound Heart, book 2 in the Everstone  Chronicles by Dawn Crandall. I stand in awe at the growth I have seen in Mrs. Crandalls's writing. Lawry and Meredyth are well developed and engaging. The addition of Wynn just added charm to the story. Lawry, loves Merit as he calls her, with all his heart. I almost felt as though his character's love for Merit, represents Christ's love for us. He is willing to love and forgive her no matter what. If I had to give this book a theme, I would say redemption is the word that comes to mind. Now that is not to say this book is 'preachy', far from it. The story is that Meredyth feels bound to marry Vance Everstone, even though he has been in Europe for many years. Lawry has been out west setting up an orphanage. Lawry comes home to Bar Harbor and begins to gently woo Meredyth. All seems settled when Vance sends word that he has married a French woman. This book is full of romance and sigh worthy kisses, but also has strife and heartache. Join Lawry and Meredyth for the turn of the century New England social season!
I loved Lawry and Meredyth's story and eagerly await the 3rd book in the Everstone Chronicles...A Captive Impostor due out February 2 2015.
I was given this book by the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

A Simple Hope by Rosalind Lauer

Rachel King is so grateful that she and James were among the survivors of a van accident. But James is bitter that he didn't walk away, and perhaps never would walk again. How can he care for his families orchards or for a wife. So he decides to set Rachel free. Rachel is not willing to release James from his promise to marry he, in fact she is sure they can live in town and she will support them with her paintings, and never have to milk a cow again, an added bonus. Now James dad is refusing to allow him to receive the treatment he needs, because it would involve spending more time with the English. Add in an Englisher runaway hiding out in James orchard and you have a wonderful good read.
A Simple Hope is book 2 in Rosalind Lauer's Lancaster Crossover novels. It is really nice to also have a chance to visit with old friends from her Seasons of Lancaster trilogy. I find Lauer's books to be entertaining and thoroughly engrossing. I am eagerly awaiting A Simple Charity due out October 28.

Wonderful Lonesome

Olivia Newport tells the story of Abigail Weaver and Willem Peters in Wonderful Lonesome. Based on an actual Colorado Amish settlement in the early 1900s, Wonderful Lonesome is quite different than most of the Amish fiction in the market today. I would say it is more like Dale Cramer's Daughter' Of Caleb Bender trilogy than Lewis' or Brunstetter's works.
Abbie is a single woman who does the housekeeping and baking for the widowers and bachelors in her small community. With only 12 households and no minister the community must decide how to proceed. Should they continue to look for a minister? Should they disband and go back east? Or should they surrender their beliefs and join the Mennonite church? To complicate matters the county is experiencing a serious drought. Each family will have to decide what "Gotte's wille" is for them. Willem would like for Abby to marry him, but she will not join with him in exploring the Mennonite faith.
This book makes one think about what is most important, faith, family or community. The decisions each family makes affect all of the other's lives. I believe anyone interested in the Amish or in Historical fiction would enjoy this book.
 I received this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to offer a favorable review.

Daughter Of Highland Hall by Carrie Turansky

I loved Carrie Turansky's Daughter Of Highland Hall. Set in Edwardian England,it is the story of Miss Katherine Ramsey's Debut to society.With her Aunt as sponsor, she will begin by being presented at court and then join the  social gatherings with all the cream of society, hopefully ending the season with the prize, a proposal of marriage to one who will someday have a title and wealth.
Jon Foster is the son of a medical missionary. He has plans to finish his medical training and return to India to take the place of his father. Jon's sister is engaged to Katherine's guardian, William Ramsey. When Jon finds himself temporarily homeless, he joins the Ramsey's household.
The Daughter Of Highland Hall will take you from the halls of Buckingham Palace to the streets of London's lower East End. I found the characters to be delightful and the story line thoroughly enjoyable. Fans of Upstairs Downstairs and Downtown Abbey will surely love this book. I found myself reading slowly , enjoying each page, not wanting the story to end. I am delighted to see that there will be a third book, A Refuge at Highland Hall due out October 2015.
I was given this book by the author in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to give a favorable review and was not compensated for my review.

The Secrets Of Mary Bowser by Lois Leveen

Lois Leveen's novel The Secret's Of Mary Bowser sheds light on a little known area of history. Based on the true story of Mary Bowser, a freed slave who voluntarily returned to the south to spy for Abraham Lincoln. She was a brilliant woman who could remember everything she heard or read.  Although not much is known about Mary Bowser,  Leveen has written an informative and captivating book.I enjoyed reading Mary's story.

A Bride In Store by Melissa Jagears is a delightful story with both humor and drama running neck and neck throughout the story. Eliza Cantrell has left her controlling fiance and lazy brother in order to live her dream of owning a store. The fact that she must be a mail order bride is a minor factor. Leaving a week early, her train is robbed and she is left penniless and scarred.And the final straw...her intended groom is missing, leaving her to run his store with the assistance of the kindest man she has ever met.
Melissa Jagears has written an entertaining story that manages to ask some hard questions...what will you sacrifice for your dreams, both Eliza and Will Stanton, her fiances partner have worthy dreams, but must learn to ask G-d for His will not theirs. This is the second book I have read by Melissa Jagears, and I look forward to reading more of her tales.
I was given this book by the author in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to give a favorable review.