Never Leave Me by Jody Hedlund

In the last stages of a genetic disease, Ellen Creighton has decided to live out her remaining days at the estate of her longtime friend Harrison Burlington. Harrison cares deeply for Ellen, but as a wheelchair-bound paraplegic, he's never allowed himself to get serious in a relationship. However, he's desperately trying to save her by finding the holy water that is believed to heal any disease.

When he locates two flasks, Ellen refuses to drink one of them because she believes the holy water killed her sister and father. In an effort to convince her to take it, Harrison ingests the contents first, and when Ellen witnesses the effects, she can no longer deny the power of the substance in the bottles. Dangerous criminals are also seeking the holy water, and Ellen soon learns they will go to any lengths to get the powerful drug--including sending her back into the past to find it for them.

Bestselling and award-winning author Jody Hedlund plunges you into the swiftly flowing river of history in a race against the clock in this breathtaking, emotional second Waters of Time story.

Publisher: Revell, 2022

Series: Water of Time, book 2

Genre: Time travel, romance

Setting: England

My Review

I started my 2021 reading challenge with a Jody Hedlund title, and I ended it with a Jody Hedlund title. Time-travel is not a genre I typically read but the premise of Come Back to Me sounded so fascinating I had to give it a try. I loved it. Never Leave Me instantly went to the top of my 2022 reading list. Thanks to Revell, I received my copy right before Christmas. It was great to revisit Chesterfield Park and all the characters. I was instantly drawn into the story by Ellen’s compromised health issues and Harrison’s tender care and love for her. There were parts regarding the romance in the first quarter of the book that made me question where the story was going but transitioned nicely into the rest of the story. If you’re looking for book that’s entertaining, will sweep you into another world, and be a great escape this series is one to read. I’m hoping the author is planning a third book for this series but Never Leave Me ended with everything tied up nicely so if not, the series feels complete and satisfying. Though each book can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading them in order to better understand the complex plot and fine details.
 

Come Back to Me by Jody Hedlund

The ultimate cure that could heal any disease? Crazy.

That's exactly what research scientist Marian Creighton has always believed about her father's quest, even if it does stem from a desire to save her sister Ellen from the genetic disease that stole their mother from them. But when her father falls into a coma after drinking a vial of holy water believed to contain traces of residue from the Tree of Life, Marian must question all of her assumptions. He's left behind tantalizing clues that suggest he's crossed back in time. Insane. Until Marian tests his theories and finds herself in the Middle Ages during a dangerous peasant uprising.

William Durham, a valiant knight comes to Marian's rescue and offers her protection . . . as his wife. The longer Marian stays in the past, the more she cares about William. Can she ever find her father and make it back to the present to heal her sister? And when the time comes to leave, will she want to?

Bestselling author Jody Hedlund is your guide down the twisting waters of time to a volatile era of superstition, revolts, and chivalry in this suspenseful story. 

Publisher: Revell, 2021

Genre: Time travel fiction, romance

Series: Waters of Time, book one

Setting: present day and England 1381

My Review

First off, I have to say that time travel books and movies are not my thing (even though I LOVE historical novels). I think it's hard to take a character from present day with all the technology and medical advancements, drop them into a historical world that's entirely different from what they're used to, and make their existence in that new world work. That being said, for some reason, I've read two time travel novels this year. The first one I did not enjoy at all (poorly written and bland), so I was hesitant to pick up Come Back to Me because I was afraid I would be disappointed. However, I'm a HUGE fan of Jody Hedlund, and I know her writing is stellar, so I gave it a try. 

I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED! I was engrossed from the first page and read the book in three days. I had a hard time putting it down. As always, Jody's writing was phenomenal, her characters were complex and delicious, the science and fantasy-science within the plot were easy to follow, and the romance was sizzling. 

This book was a pure, pull-me-out-of-the-stress-of-life-and-entertain-me kind of book. Different, but fun. I am eagerly awaiting the second book in the series, as Jody set the upcoming main characters up so well as secondary characters in Come Back to Me. 

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves to escape into a good story. 
 

A Cowboy for Keeps by Jody Hedlund

 

Greta Nilsson's trip west to save her ailing little sister, Astrid, could not have gone more wrong. First, bandits hold up her stagecoach, stealing all her money. Then, upon arriving in Fairplay, Colorado, she learns the man she was betrothed to as a mail-order bride has died. Homeless, penniless, and jobless, Greta and her sister are worse off than when they started.

Wyatt McQuaid is struggling to get his new ranch up and running and is in town to purchase cattle when the mayor proposes the most unlikely of bargains. He'll invest in a herd of cattle for Wyatt's ranch if Wyatt agrees to help the town become more respectable by marrying and starting a family. And the mayor, who has promised to try to help Greta, has just the candidate in mind for Wyatt to marry.

Publisher: Bethany House, 2021

Genre: historical romance

Setting: Colorado Territory, 1862

Series: Colorado Cowboys, book 1

My Review

I thoroughly enjoy all of Jody's books. I was surprised to see that she'd written a western series, but she's a master of genres so I gave it a try. First, I love marriage of convenience stories and this one was satisfying as the hero and heroine are thrown together in marriage, immediately become aware of their attraction for one another, and then it's a slow burn (and sizzling) romance from there. The characters and plot are complex, and there's a great twist 3/4 of the way through, however, I did feel that the "twist" worked itself out too easily and perfectly. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I recommend it to anyone who likes historical romance, especially in a western setting. I look forward to the next book in the series. 

The Runaway Bride by Jody Hedlund

Haunted by mistakes in her past, 

will she ever again trust her heart to another? 

Wealthy Arabella Lawrence flees to British Columbia on a bride ship still wearing the scars of past mistakes. One of the few single women in the boomtown, she immediately has suitors, but she is determined not to find herself trapped again by a poor choice.

Vying for her hand are two very different men. Lieutenant Richard Drummond is a gentleman in the Navy and is held in high esteem. Peter Kelly is the town's baker and has worked hard to build a thriving business. He and Drummond not only compete for Arabella's affections, but clash over their views of how the natives should be treated in the midst of a smallpox outbreak.

As Arabella begins to overcome her fears, she discovers someone in dire need—a starving girl abandoned by her tribe. Intent on helping the girl, Arabella leans on Peter's advice and guidance. Will she have the wisdom to make the right decision or will seeking what's right cost both her and Peter everything?

Publisher: Bethany House, 2020

Genre: historical romance

Setting: Vancouver Island, 1862

Series: Book #2 in The Bride Ship series

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

My Review

I'm a huge fan of Jody Hedlund. Her attention to detail and the masterful way she crafts a story always holds me spellbound. I read A Reluctant Bride, book one in this series, and was delighted to see those characters make brief appearances in this book. Each are written as standalone novels, so reading them in order isn't necessary to understand the series. It just makes it more fun. 

Arabella Lawrence's backstory is dangled in front of the reader from the start and is revealed organically as the story progresses. She is strong and wonderful and flawed and absolutely lovable. Two men are vying for her affection: Lieutenant Richard Drummond of the Navy and Peter Kelly, a humble baker. Both men have their strengths and weaknesses, and I was torn between who I wanted to win Arabella's heart the first half of the book. As the story concludes, her backstory is fully laid out--revealing the true challenges of the day--the reader is left satisfied with her choice, and left eagerly awaiting book three. 

I look forward to the next book in the series, as well as reading more of Jody's books I haven't read yet. 

Together Forever by Jody Hedlund

Will the mistakes of their past cost them a chance at love?

Determined to find her lost younger sister, Marianne Neumann takes a job as a placing agent with the Children's Aid Society in 1858 New York. She not only hopes to offer children a better life, but prays she'll be able to discover whether Sophie ended up leaving the city on an orphan train so they can finally be reunited.

Andrew Brady, her fellow agent on her first placing-out trip, is a former schoolteacher who has an easy way with children, firm but tender and friendly. Underneath his charm and handsome looks, though, seems to linger a grief that won't go away--and a secret from his past that he keeps hidden. 

As the two team up, placing orphans in the small railroad towns of Illinois, they find themselves growing ever closer . . . until a shocking tragedy threatens to upend all their work and change one of their lives forever.

Publisher: Bethany House, 2018

Genre: historical romance

Setting: 1858

My Review

Together Forever is a gripping story set in 1858 during the orphan train migration from New York to Illinois. From the first chapter, the chemistry between the hero and heroine sizzles and propels the story forward with a beautiful and satisfying ending. The orphans tugged at my heart and made me want to adopt them myself. The plot mixed with Ms. Hedlund's strategic writing takes the reader back in time on a journey that is bittersweet and historically accurate. Together Forever is book two in the Orphan Train series, but this novel stands on its own as well. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical romance with a rich history and to anyone who enjoys a strong, yet clean, romance between characters. I give this book five stars.