To Capture Her Heart by Rebecca DeMarino

  I really enjoyed reading Rebecca DeMarino's To Capture Her Heart. It is book number two in her Southhold Chronicles. I think one of the most interesting facts about this series is the fact that DeMarino has dug into her own family history to bring her novels to life.
     To Capture Her Heart is a story of two people whose hearts have been broken. Benjamin Horton loved anna, but she married another, does he dare pursue Heather Flower? Heather Flower is only free to marry because she is a young widow and still in love with her dead husband. To complicate matters more, Dirk Van Buren a Dutch Lt. also loves Heather Flower. I love the way that DeMarino handles the brokenness of all three young people. She truly creates an emotional triangle and I found myself alternately cheering for Dirk and for Benjamin. By the end of the book, I was totally enthralled and I have to admit I did stay up past my bedtime to find out what happened. I am looking forward with great anticipation for the next installment.
     I was given the book by the author in exchange for my honest opinion, but I attest that all thoughts are my own.

The Curiosity Keeper by Sarah Ladd

 Sarah Ladd is one of my favorite Regency authors.She has a way of making the time period real and I find myself caught up in another time while reading. The characters are very realistic and well developed. The story is captivating and fast-paced. The Curiosity Keeper is her latest book and it is well worth reading. It is the tale of the search for a fabulous jewel, stolen from an estate that faces insolvency if it is not returned. An heir who rather not inherit the estate and a penniless shopkeeper's daughter, who deals in curiosities. This tale contains romance, theft, betrayal, a villain or two and quite a few surprising plot twists. Sarah Ladd is definitely on my must read list.

    I was given this book by the author for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Hallee Bridgeman's A Carol For Kent

    Hallee Bridgeman's A Carol for Kent is a well thought out hum dinger of a murder mystery, with betrayal, love, hurt and forgiveness. Carol has hated the father of her child. His parents informed her that Bobby wanted nothing to do with her or their child, Lisa. Nothing could be farther from the truth!Now Bobby is back in town determined to get to know his daughter. Meanwhile, Carol is on the trail of a serial killer. Just as her professional life heats up, so does her personal life.
    Bridgeman has done an excellent job of character development, the plot is fast moving and draws one into the story. There are some plot twists and visits from characters in her previous books.A Carol for Kent would make a great beach read, but not for a dark and rainy night!
   I was given this book by the Author for review purposes, but the opinions are strictly my own.

Hearts Made Whole

  Although Jody Hedlund did not use this verse in Hearts Made Whole I believe it suits the story: Isaiah 40:31King James Version (KJV) But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
  Caroline Taylor has been running the Windmill Point Lighthouse since before her father's death. Now the head of the lighthouse board says a woman can't be in charge, and in fact she needs to pack up her family and belongings and get out.
  Ryan Taylor, drunken, addicted to painkillers, wounded Civil War Veteran is appointed to take Carolines place. He can't do the job and Caroline needs the home that comes with the position, so they work out a compromise. If only life was that easy!
  Hearts Made Whole is a skillfully written novel that reveals the trials and blessings of waiting on the L-rd. Caroline is learning to lean on G-d and not her own devices. Ryan meanwhile must remember where G-d has brought him from and to depend on G-d for everything, every day. I loved the way Jody wove several storylines together into one cohesive novel, with strong characters and well-developed themes.
   Although I was given this novel by the author for review purposes, the opinions are my own. I would not hesitate to buy a Jody Hedlund novel as she never disappoints.

The Salt Covenants by Sylvia Bambola

I really enjoyed Sylvia Bambola's The Salt Covenants. It is the story of Isabel, a 'Converso' Jew during the Spanish Inquisition. While yet a young teen she is divorced by her arranged 'husband', forced to marry a man she does not love. She must then leave her home and family in order to join her husband on Christopher Columbus' voyage to the New World. 

The Salt Covenants is an interesting book, but by no means a quick read. The Characters are well developed and the book is full of historical information.I learned quite a bit about the Jews of the Middle ages in Spain and about the history of Christopher Columbus' voyages.I found myself cheering Isabel on and cringing at some of the plots in the book. This book is definitely not for the faint of heart as there are some graphic scenes...it is the Inquisition after all! So if you love history and don't mind a slower pace, I can certainly recommend The Salt Covenants as a great read.

I was given this book by the author for review purposes, but the opinions stated are entirely my own.

A Harvest Of Hope

I never pass up a chance to visit Blessing North Dakota. A Harvest of Hope is the 19th book about the people of Blessing and it did not disappoint. I love the way Lauraine has made the town and characters come to life. Ingeborg and Kaaren still guide their family with the help of John Solberg, and just as in real life there are changes. It is the same with Blessing. A Harvest of Hope takes place soon after the death of Ingeborg's beloved Haaken and everyone is in shock. Dr.Elizabeth is expecting a baby and is confined to bed leaving Dr.Astrid to care for the townspeople with the help of her nurses. Through love and laughter, grief and tears Nurse Miriam Hastings from Chicago helps the town through several tragedies as she is being courted by Trygve.Should she give up all of her plans and follow G-d's plans for her life? Does G-d even care about her, or is He as malicious as she has always believed?

The Huntress of Thornbeck Forest

The Huntress of Thornbeck Forrest is Melanie Dickerson's newest YA novel. Odette Menkels, an orphan has been raised by her Uncle Rutger in great luxury. She is allowed to learn to read and spends her days doing as she pleases. She is also allowed to choose her own husband, an unheard of privilege. She also spends her nights poaching deer to feed the poor.

Jorgen Hartman is the Margrave's forester charged with protecting the king's deer. He fall's in love with Odette the first time he sees her.

I really enjoyed reading this retelling of Robin Hood with a charming female cast in the traditionally masculine role. I found myself cheering for Odette, hoping she would decide that Jorgen, although poor was actually a much better person than the rich Mathis. The story brings to the forefront a moral dilemma, is it morally right to poach deer if you are doing it to not to benefit yourself, but to provide for the wellbeing of children who would otherwise starve? G-d must be on her side, right?

I was given this book by the author in return for my honest review, but the opinions are my own.