Streams of Mercy by Lauraine Snelling

I always enjoy a visit with the good folks of Blessing North Dakota. Streams Of mercy continues the story of the Bjorklund family. Many new faces are making themselves at home while other beloved characters have moved on. It was wonderful to visit and enjoy the joys and sorrows of a community that has indeed been blessed by G-d. The books about Blessing are always uplifting and provide many hours of enjoyment.

A Sparrow In Terezin

Fans of The Butterfly and the Violin will love A Sparrow in Terezin by Kristy Cambron.It is again a story within a story. Present day,it is  William and Sera's wedding day, as they say 'I do" William is arrested.Sera cannot leave William's fate to the lawyers, despite William's pleas to stay out of it. Meanwhile in World War two London Kaja meets Liam setting in motion the adventure of a lifetime.
I love the way Kristy ties the two worlds together. Kristy has done an excellent job of making both stories fit together. Her characters are strong and complex. I found myself not wanting to do anything but find out what happens next. Kristy manages to paint word pictures of the terror of the bombings in London and the despair of the ghettos under Hitler. She accurately portrays the themes of redemption and forgiveness.
I look forward to reading more books by Kristy.

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.

The Lost Heiress by Roseanna M. White

     I fell in love with the cover for The Lost Heiress way back when it first became available for pre-order. I waited with great anticipation to open the book and settle in for a fabulous read, I was not disappointed. Brook lives with the with the Grimaldi's in Monaco and although she was not born to them, she was raised as a Princess. She is spirited and full of life. Brook and her friend Justin seem perfect for each other, but they are so afraid of ruining their friendship, that they are afraid to admit they love each other.
     All of the characters are strong and pairing them with a great storyline, caused the book to fly. Brook is definitely a woman ahead of her time. She does things that should cause scandal, but it works for her.Brook reunites with her birth family and then walks a virtual tightrope trying to decide who is on her side and who is the enemy.
The Lost Heiress can be listed under several genres, Historical fiction, Romance and suspense.
I am drooling to get my hands on The Reluctant Duchess, book number two in The Ladies Of The Manor series. I can see that I need to make a space on my keeper shelves for Roseanna White.
I was given this book by the author in exchange for my honest opinion. all thoughts are entirely my own.

Daughters of the Heart by Caryl McAdoo

Daughters Of The Heart was the first book I have read by Caryl McAdoo. I did not realize that it was book 5 until I was into the book. While I did enjoy the laughter and joy of an over-protective dad and his teenage daughters, the book would have made more sense had I read the first four.
That being said, I liked the story well enough that I am going to go back and read the first four.The family is totally charming, and well armed :)
I find myself wanting to know how they arrived at this point in their lives.The characters are well written and I find myself wondering what they are up to when I have closed my kindle for the evening. it is truly the sign of a good book that you long for more.
I was given this book for review by celebrate lit.All thoughts and opinions are my own and I was not required to express any opinion.

The Butterfly and The Violin by Christy Cambron

   Kristy Cambron's the Butterfly and the Violin is one of the best books I have read this year. I was quickly drawn in by the story and loved the story within a story format. Sera James and William Hanover live in modern times. She is a Manhattan art dealer and he is the CEO of his family's corporation.They are both searching for the same portrait, each for their own reason. Their search uncovers the love story of  Adele Von Bron, Austrian aristocrat and Vladimir Nicolai a Jew.
   I loved the romance and self sacrifice of the story. The word pictures create an image of the fear endures by all who opposed Hitler and his minions. The story although fictitious had a realistic, this may really have happened feel to it and I had trouble setting it aside to keep up with my household chores. I wanted to discover Adele and Vladimir's story as much as Sera and William did.
    I hope you settle in for a weekend read and become as enthralled as I did.