Historical Romance – Page 2 – LDS Women's Book Review

Longing For Home by Sarah M. Eden – Blog Tour

Posted by Shanda Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews

Aug 122013

Longing For Home

Author: Sarah M. Eden

Publisher: Shadow Mountain

Published Date: August 2013

Softcover/Kindle/Nook/DB ebook/CD: 432 pages

Genre: Historical Romance

ISBN# 978-1609074616

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: free softcover ARC in exchange for an honest review

Summary

Twenty-six-year-old Katie Macauley has placed all her hope in Hope Springs, a small town in the 1870 Wyoming Territory. But if she wants to return home to Ireland to make amends with her estranged family, she’ll need to convince the influential Joseph Archer to hold true to his word and keep her on his payroll as his housekeeper despite her Irish roots. The town is caught in an ongoing feud between the Irish and the “Reds” the frontiersmen who would rather see all the Irish run out of town and the Irish immigrants who are fighting to make a home for themselves in the New World. When Joseph agrees to keep Katie on as his housekeeper, the feud erupts anew, and Katie becomes the reluctant figurehead for the Irish townsfolk. As the violence escalates throughout the town, Katie must choose between the two men who have been vying for her love though only one might be able to restore hope to her heart.

Review

Longing For Home is a well-written and satisfying story with endearing characters and a fascinating glimpse of Irish culture in the Old West at a time when prejudice against them prevailed throughout most of the country.

I thoroughly enjoyed Longing For Home and consider it well worth the wait. It is a deeper, more involved story than Sarah’s other books, proving that she has taken her talent for storytelling to an even higher level. The characters are dimensional and real, with histories full of struggle, survival, love, and loss. They are so well-developed I feel as if they are MY family and friends.

The dialogue is wonderful. I could “hear” Katie’s brogue simply because of the words and phrases she uses with very little, if any, phonetical spelling. I appreciate that more than I can say. The use of traditional Irish phrases is enchanting and adds a wonderful lilt to Katie’s voice in my mind. Tavish and Joseph are remarkable, hard-working men with very different personalities and situations yet with the same capacity for love and desire for peace in the community. I love them both and hope that I will get to read more about them in the future.

Experiencing the story through the point-of-view of all three main characters not only gave me a better understanding of their thoughts and motivations, it also made me care about them even more and kept me guessing about how events would unfold. I truly didn’t know how things would turn out for Katie, or even how I wanted them to turn out because I was as torn about what to do as she was. I was unsure about Katie at first, but her growth throughout her experiences in Hope Springs felt natural and I was glad to see how far she had come by the end.

Longing For Home is a must for fans of Sarah M. Eden. Readers who appreciate clean romance and quality writing will want to add this book to the top of their reading lists. Though I don’t often rate books in my reviews, I don’t hesitate to give Longing For Home an appreciative and enthusiastic five stars.

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Sworn Enemy by A.L. Sowards

Posted by Shanda Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews

Jun 272013

Sworn Enemy (Espionage #2)

Author: A.L. Sowards

Publisher: Covenant Communications

Published Date: April 2013

Softcover: 281 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

ISBN# 978-1-62108-476-1

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: free temporary digital copy in exchange for an honest review

Summary

June 1944. As World War II rages, the people of Eastern Europe are hopelessly trapped between two formidable forces: Hitler’s Germany and Stalin’s Soviet Union. In their midst, a band of heroes works to defend against the inevitable Communist takeover.

After narrowly escaping her Nazi captors, French Resistance worker Genevieve Olivier has fled to Allied territory with the help of American Lieutenant Peter Eddy. Their connection is undeniable, forged in the crucible of danger. But despite their blossoming feelings for each other, they must both finish the work they began . . .

In the safety of England, Genevieve hopes to find purpose as a nurse—all the while unaware that the Gestapo still seeks the woman who slipped through their grasp. When she is called upon to resume a life of danger as a French spy, will her desire to prove herself be her downfall?

Recruited by an elite special-ops team intent on thwarting the Nazis, Peter finds himself engaged in a personal battle as well—there is a traitor among his comrades. Deep in the Carpathian Mountains, Peter combats an unknown foe. The stakes are high as he fights to save the lives of his teammates.

They are miles apart, yet as Genevieve and Peter fight for their own survival, they find a common well of strength in their faith—and their determination to be reunited.

Review

Sworn Enemy begins as Peter and Genevieve (introduced in Espionage) are trying to stay ahead of the Gestapo, making their way out of occupied France. While Sworn Enemy can be read alone, reading Espionage provides a richer history of the characters and makes reading Sworn Enemy an even better experience.

Peter and Genevieve are great characters. While Espionage focuses mainly on the beginning of their story and the events leading up to their escape from occupied France, Sworn Enemy finds them facing separation as Genevieve goes to nursing school and Peter leaves as part of team assembled for a specific mission in Romania. There are several other characters I enjoyed as well, especially a certain Polish soldier who I liked just as much as Peter. (Maybe a tiny bit more after that one scene in Bucharest, but you’ll have to read the book to see if you agree with me.)

Peter and Genevieve’s romantic relationship is not at the forefront of the novel. There is plenty of spying, captures, escapes, as well as a battle. Those who enjoy a little romance will like the side story of two other characters in the novel. For those of you who aren’t big romance fans, don’t worry. It’s a nice addition to the story but it is not the focus.

There was a stretch of chapters that focused on Peter and the events he was involved in and the reader doesn’t know what is happening with Genevieve for quite sometime. I would have liked a chapter somewhere in there to update me with Genevieve’s activities, because I was in suspense wondering about that for what felt like a long time. The nature of Peter’s mission (13 team members and some civilians, plus the German & Romanian soldiers and officials, along with occasional use of both first and last names) made for a lot of characters to remember at first, but as I read, it became easier.

What I like about A.L. Sowards’ writing is that the reader can tell that she has done her research and knows a lot about the events and time period, but not because she beats the reader over the head with facts. They are woven into the story and dialogue and it never feels stilted or like a history lecture.

Sworn Enemy is well-written, full of action and suspense, and an enjoyable follow up to Espionage. A.L. Sowards is one of my new favorite historical authors and I definitely look forward to reading more from her in the future.

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Heart of the Ocean by Heather B. Moore — Blog Tour

Posted by Mindy Blog Tours, Book Reviews, Combined Reviews, Mindy's Reviews, Sheila's Reviews

Jan 102013

Heart of the Ocean

Author: Heather B. Moore

Published: Jan. 2013

Publisher: Mirror Press

AISN: B00AVMIK8Q

ebook: 337 pages

FTC FYI: Received review copy

Goodreads Summary

A dark secret . . . a grieving ghost . . . a handsome stranger . . . What more could Eliza Robinson want?

Except for maybe her life.

In Heather B. Moore’s enthralling 1840’s historical romance, Heart of the Ocean, Eliza Robinson has turned down the very pretentious Mr. Thomas Beesley’s marriage proposal. As a business partner of Eliza’s father, Thomas quickly discredits the family and brings disgrace to the Robinson name.

While her father scrambles to restore his good name in New York City, Eliza flees to the remote Puritan town of Maybrook to stay with her Aunt Maeve. Although relieved to be away from all- things-male and unforgiving gossip columns, odd things start to happen to Eliza, and she is plagued by a ghostly voice. Her aunt’s explanation? That Eliza is being haunted by a woman who died of a broken heart twenty years ago.

After Aunt Maeve is tragically killed, Eliza’s life is put in danger as she tries to uncover the mystery of her aunt’s death. She encounters Jonathan Porter in Maybrook, whose presence in the town seems suspicious, yet she finds herself drawn to him. When she discovers that Jonathan’s dark secrets may be the link between the dead woman who haunts her and her aunt’s murderer, Eliza realizes that Jonathan is the one man she should never trust.

My Review

Eliza is going through a hard time. She has turned down the proposal of her father’s business partner, and flees to Maybrook, a Puritan town, to stay with her aunt. While she is there, Eliza keeps hearing voices in the wind. Her aunt Maeve tells the story of a Puritan woman who’s heart is broken by the love of her life, and how she died of a broken heart. Eliza can’t escape what the voice is trying to tell her. When Maeve dies, her life is put in danger and she is rescued by Jonathan Porter, who has secrets of his own.

Heather is such a talented writer and has a magical way of drawing you right into her books with her well-written characters and page turning plots. There is a lot to this story, and I really enjoyed the journey of these great characters.

4 out of 5 stars. Heather is the author of many fabulous books. Read them, and you will see what I am talking about. Her latest book Athena is part of the Newport Ladies Book Club and is out now!

Sheila’s Review

This is the first book I’ve read by Heather Moore that had a paranormal theme to it. I have to say, I really liked it! This historical novel is much more than a ghost story, it is a story of two people, trapped in a mystery that envelops both of their lives. Eliza, shunned by high society, escapes to live with her Aunt Mauve in a Puritan town. Jonathan, having once escaped the same Puritan town, is drawn back in search of papers that will help him claim his rightly inheritance. One rainy night, they are drawn together, because of a ghastly murder and the whispers of a ghost. From this point on in the story, Jonathan and Eliza are forced together to solve the mystery surrounding the death of Jonathan’s mother. As they fight evil and menacing people, they also must fight the feelings that are growing for one another. The Heart of the Ocean will keep you reading until the mystery is solved, murderers jailed, and love winning out in the end.I hope to read more like this from Author Heather B. Moore.
Author Links

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Newport Ladies Book Club

Purchase Links

AMAZON / BARNES AND NOBLE

To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer

Posted by Shanda Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews

Nov 282012

To Win Her Heart

Author: Karen Witemeyer

Publisher: Bethany House

Published Date: May 2011

Softcover; 347 pages

Genre: Christian Historical Romance

ISBN13: 9780764207570

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: borrowed from my local library

Summary

Having completed his sentence for the unintentional crime that derailed his youthful plans for fame and fortune, Levi Grant looks to start over in the town of Spencer, Texas. Spencer needs a blacksmith, a trade he learned at his father’s knee, and he needs a place where no one knows his past. But small towns leave little room for secrets…

Eden Spencer has sworn off men, choosing instead to devote her time to the lending library she runs. When a mountain-sized stranger walks through her door and asks to borrow a book, she steels herself against the attraction he provokes. His halting speech and hesitant manner leave her doubting his intelligence. Yet as the mysteries of the town’s new blacksmith unfold, Eden discovers hidden depths in him that tempt her heart.

Levi’s renewed commitment to his faith leads Eden to believe she’s finally found a man of honor and integrity, a man worthy of her love. But when the truth about his prodigal past comes to light, can this tarnished hero find a way to win back the librarian’s affections?

Opening Lines

“After two years, they’d finally cut him loose. Gave him a new suit of clothes and everything. Funny, though. The shame of the convict stripes still clung to him, as if tattooed horizontally across his skin.”

Review

I’m a sucker for historical romance. When I see books like this on my library shelf, I can’t resist picking them up. To Win Her Heart is like a lot of other Christian historical romance I’ve read, which is good because I enjoy most Christian historical romance, the exception being those that preach the reader to death. This book was not overly preachy at all, with simple messages of repentance, forgiveness and acceptance.

I really liked the hero, Levi. As a youth he struggled with a lisp and was teased a lot, leading to fights in the schoolyard. As an adult, he abandoned working with his father and brother as blacksmiths and became a prize fighter, enjoying the fame, popularity and money that came with it. That is until he unintentionally killed his opponent with a solid blow, was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to two years in prison.

When Levi is released he heads for Spencer, Texas, to work as a blacksmith and try to get back on his feet. He works to establish his place in the community before the townspeople inevitably learn about his past, hoping that will help them be more accepting of him when the truth comes out.

Eden Spencer’s father owns most of the town. She has such a large collection of books that she opens her personal library up to the town and lets them check books out to read. She loves pressing flowers and creating artwork with them as well as reading to the town’s children every week. When she meets Levi, her first impression is that he is slow, due to his hesitant speech.

As she listens to him speak and use certain words only an intelligent, well-read man would use, she starts paying attention and realizes he’s avoiding certain sounds. Soon she and Levi are exchanging letters, using the excuse of “borrowed” and “returned” library books as a way to pass these letters back and forth to each other secretly.

I found the concept of exchanging letters hidden inside library books even though they saw each other often to be romantic and intimate. Levi was my favorite character. I liked that he envisioned a life with Eden despite feeling unworthy, determined to give things a try and see if she could love him in return.

Eden took a a little while to grow on me. Sometimes she felt like a more mature woman, one who had been practically left at the altar and had gained some worldly wisdom. Other times she seemed more closed-minded and prudish. I liked her more by the end of the book.

I thought the other characters in the book, including Eden’s father, were well-written though the sheriff felt a bit flat to me. I never really believed he was as much of a threat or villain as he could have been. Other than the part he played in the climax, he was more annoying than anything.

Overall I enjoyed To Win Her Heart and look forward to reading more by Kate Witemeyer, particularly Short-Straw Bride. Readers who like clean historical romance will enjoy To Win Her Heart.

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A Candlelight Courting by Joyce DiPastena

Posted by Shanda Book Reviews, Shanda's Reviews

Nov 192012

A Candlelight Courting: A Short Christmas Romance

Author: Joyce DiPastena

Publisher: self-published

Published Date: October 2012

Kindle/Ebook; 46 pages

ISBN# 9781301290888

Genre: Historical Romance

Reviewed by: Shanda

FTC FYI: free digital copy in exchange for an honest review

Summary

When Burthred comes courting on Christmas Eve, Meg rejects his advances. She has her heart set on becoming a nun and insists that he call her Christina, the spiritual name she has chosen for herself. She tries to make him swear on her box of holy relics that he will not pursue her, but he carefully words his oath to allow him to stay in her candlelit chamber and try to change her mind.

What Meg does not confess is that her reliquary box holds a secret.

Burthred needs a wife, and no one will satisfy him except Meg. He swore on his father’s deathbed that he would marry her. But Burthred has a secret, too. When they come together before the Yule fire, their shared revelations will either join their hearts together or tear them apart.

Review

I am convinced that Joyce DiPastena can write no wrong. I have loved everything I’ve read from her, and A Candlelight Courting is no exception.

In the past I confess that I haven’t been a big fan of short stories, preferring instead to read longer, more detailed novels. A Candlelight Courting proved to me that short stories can be well-written, include characters with depth, and keep readers turning pages.

I loved both Meg/Christina and Burthred. I found myself rooting for them right away. I was torn when I realized that the possibility of things working out for them looked pretty bleak. How could there be a “happily ever after” if what each wanted most would leave the other ultimately miserable and unfulfilled?

I devoured A Candlelight Courting, anxious to see how things would turn out. I felt for Burthred and yet respected Meg/Christina’s determination to follow her desire to become a nun. I did not expect the turn of events near the end.

I happily recommend A Candlelight Courting to anyone who enjoys a good, clean romance. I look forward to reading it every year at Christmastime, and maybe a few times in between.

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A Timeless Romance Anthology (Winter Collection) — Combined Review

Posted by Mindy Book Reviews, Mindy's Reviews, Sheila's Reviews

Oct 232012

A Timeless Romance Anthology: Winter Collection

Authors: Sarah M. Eden, Heidi Ashworth, Annette Lyon, Joyce DiPastena, Donna Hatch, Heather B. Moore

Publisher: Mirror Press, LLC

Published: October 1, 2012

ISBN13: 9781301381166

ebook: 269 pages

Goodreads Summary of all 6 Short Stories: Six Award-Winning Authors have contributed brand new stories to A Timeless Romance Anthology: Winter Collection. A collection unlike any other, readers will love this compilation of six sweet historical romance novellas, set in varying eras, yet all with one thing in common: Romance.

The Road to Cavan Town by Sarah M. Eden, set in 1864 Ireland, combines Eden’s sense of humor with her signature sweet romance. Alice Wheatley walks each weekend into town, accompanied by Isaac Dancy. And while Alice finds herself falling in love with the gentleman, unfortunately he has his eyes set on the belle of the town, Miss Sophia Kilchrest. Alice must find a way to turn Isaac’s eyes toward her.

Regency author Heidi Ashworth’s delightful story, It Happened Twelfth Night, set in England 1812, follows Luisa Darlington who discovers the man of her dreams, Percy Brooksby, isn’t in love with her as much as she thought he was. When Percy’s friend, the mysterious foreigner, Mr. Flynn, visits for the twelfth night holiday, he promptly sweeps Luisa off her feet, quite literally. Luisa is left catching her breath in more ways than one.

An Unexpected Proposal by Annette Lyon is a captivating romantic novella, set in remote Wood Camp, the snowy canyon of Logan, Utah, 1880. When Caroline Simpson is forced to thwart the aggressive advances of Mr. Butch Larson, she discovers that her long-time friend, James, has genuine affection for her. But as stubborn as Caroline is, she minimizes the feelings he’s awakened in her, and it takes almost losing James to admit her true feelings for him.

In Joyce Di Pastena’s charming medieval story, Caroles on the Green, we enter England of 1151, in which Lady Isabel has a dilemma. She promises herself that she’ll marry the man who sent a ring hidden in her pastry since the man she truly loves, Sir Lucian de Warrene, has proved to be impossible and exasperating. To forget him, Isabel sets her eyes on other eligible men, only to face another confrontation with Lucian—who isn’t about to back off and leave her to her newest plot.

Donna Hatch’s enchanting novella, A Winter’s Knight, begins when Clarissa Fairchild’s coach just happens to break down in front of the most forbidding estate in the county, that of Wyckburg Castle, a place where young brides have been murdered for generations by their husbands. Clarissa is horrified yet curious all in the same breath. When she meets widower Christopher de Champs, Earl of Wyckburg, she must decide if she should flee or uncover the greatest secret in the county about her handsome rescuer.

In Heather B. Moore’s exciting turn-of-the-century story, A Fortunate Exile, Lila Townsend finds herself the victim of a broken heart—broken by the most notorious bachelor in 1901 New York City. If that isn’t bad enough, her father sends her to Aunt Eugenia’s remote farm where Lila must wait for her father’s anger to subside and the gossip columns to find new fodder. When Lila meets her aunt’s boarder, Peter Weathers, she discovers a man who isn’t afraid to stand up to her formidable family and take a chance on a woman with a sullied reputation.

Mindy’s Review

4 1/2 stars. I was very excited to review these wonderful short stories by such talented authors. As I read them, I appreciated the individual style of each talented lady. All six stories are well-written and I was immediately taken into each story. The benefit of a short story is how quick the plot moves a long. I also enjoyed the way each author introduced the plot and characters quickly, but I never felt they were rushed. It was so nice reading six fantastic romance stories that were clean, romantic, and heart pounding. At the end of each, I was wishing for more. I reveled in each story, but I must say I did have a favorite. Donna Hatch’s A Winter’s Knight. It reminded me a bit of Beauty and the Beast. With a mysterious earl, ancient curses, and one curious red head, I was instantly hooked.

I think what I appreciated the most was how strong the women in these stories were. Even though the time periods represented vary, each woman brought to the table a fire of knowing who they are. A few learned that process during the course of the story, but found themselves and stood their ground.

Sheila’s Review

I was so thrilled to get to read a collection of stories written by some of my favorite authors. I know that these women can write, and I have read their previous work. I have to say I was not disappointed. The best part is that these are clean stories full of romance. Reading this anthology was like eating a platter of appetizers: you were able to get yummy bites of everything. The only thing I didn’t like is that I would just start to get into the story and then it would be done. All of these stories could easily be continued in a longer novel.

On the plus side, these stories are perfect for the busy reader. You could read one, enjoy it, finish it and then go off and run your errands. Then later that inght, you could come back and read another story. I was telling someone about the anthology. They asked if I had a favorite story out of the six, but it would be hard to choose just one. All of the stories had unique, and fun characters set in various eras. I liked the spunk of the women in the anthology. I loved the romance and the awakening that takes place when you realize that love is there. **sign**

I can see these anthologies becoming guilty pleasure for women everywhere , especially those that want to read about romance without the gratuitous sex that is prevalent in today’s society. Curl up in your jammies, grab your hot chocolate and get lost in this anthology of timeless romances!

Read more about this anthology from the Blog and Facebook page. There is a Spring Anthology coming next year!

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