Wow! What can I say? Kate Breslin's second novel, Not By Sight, is an excellent story. The setting is England, the spring of 1917. Grace Mabry is a suffragette determined to shame the conscientious objectors into going to war. Jack Bennington, handsome, titled and apparently determined playboy is the recipient of the white feather, a symbol of cowardice. But all is not as it appears.
I loved the story and the characters are complex and well-developed. The story draws you in, causing lack of sleep on this readers part. Fortunately my children had dentist appointments, allowing me time to enjoy!This book contains romance and mystery, along with well researched historical facts. Kate Breslin is definitely an author to follow. I have thoroughly enjoyed both novels that she has written and look forward to her next book with great anticipation.
I was given this book by the author in exchange for my honest opinion. I was not required to offer a positive review. All opinions are definitely my own true feelings.

Shadows Of Ladenbrooke Manor by Melanie Dobson

Shadows Of Ladenbrooke Manor is an excellent book. It is a book of deception and redemption. The Doyle family is created by deception and this seeps down through the generations reminding me of the verses The Lord...visits the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation. (Exodus 34:6-7 = Deuteronomy 5:8-10).
It was interesting to read as the book actually contains two storylines that alternate chapters. The characters are well developed and for the most part quite likeable, in spite of their faults. As a person who works with special needs children, I found it quite interesting to see how these children were handled in the 1950s-'60s. I found myself caught up in their lives, needing to know what happened next. I will certainly be on the lookout for more books by Melanie Dobson.

Brentwood's Ward by Michelle Griep

I enjoyed reading Michelle Griep's Brentwood's Ward. There was plenty of action and the story moved along at a fairly fast pace. I enjoyed the fact that each character was multi-faceted. Emily Payne was indeed well named as she was a pain in the neck for Nicholas Brentwood. Nicholas also has ulterior motives. This was the first book I have read by Griep, but it won't be the last.

Castles by Tracie Peterson

I enjoyed reading Castles by Tracie Peterson very much.Although it is a collection of some of her first novels, the stories were strong and I really liked the characters. I thought she did a very good job with the medieval time period and I would definitely enjoy reading more tales of this type. 

A Bride At Last by Melissa Jagears

Melissa Jagears' A Bride At Last is the third book in her Bride series. As with the other 2 books, it is about a mail order bride. Kate Dawson came west in answer to an advertisement for a mail order bride. Disappointed with her 'groom' she abandons him and takes a job as a school teacher. She befriends the sickly mother of one of her students and plans to raise him when her friend passes away. Before she can settle in as mom, two men show up, each claiming to be the boy's father.
A Bride at Last is full of romance and adventure. It is a fun, fast-moving read that fully entertains. The characters are well developed and the storyline is very realistic. I have enjoyed all three books in this series and hate to see it end. Melissa's books are on my 'keeper'shelf.
I was given this book by the author for review purposes, but all opinions are entirely my own.

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.