A Heart Adrift by Laura Frantz

A Virginia chocolatier and a privateering sea captain collide once more after a failed love affair a decade before. Will a war and a cache of regrets keep them apart? Or will a new shared vision reunite them?

 

It is 1755, and the threat of war with France looms over colonial York, Virginia. Chocolatier Esmee Shaw is fighting her own battle of the heart. Having reached her twenty-eighth birthday, she is reconciled to life alone after a decade-old failed love affair from which she's never quite recovered. But she longs to find something worthwhile to do with her life.

Captain Henri Lennox has returned to port after a lengthy absence, intent on completing the lighthouse in the dangerous Chesapeake Bay, a dream he once shared with Esmee. But when the colonial government asks him to lead a secret naval expedition against the French, his future is plunged into uncertainty.

Will a war and a cache of regrets keep them apart, or can their shared vision and dedication to the colonial cause heal the wounds of the past? Bestselling and award-winning author Laura Frantz whisks you away to a time fraught with peril--on the sea and in the heart--in this redemptive, romantic story.

Publisher: Revell, 2022

Genre: Historical Romance

Setting: York, Virginia, 1755

Series: standalone novel

My Review

What a swoon-worthy romance! Esmee and Henri are the perfect pairing. I loved the slow-burn romance as well as their character growth. The turbulent times in this pre-Revolution era kept me turning the pages. I've visited Williamsburg, VA before so it was so fun picturing all of those places in my mind as the story went along. The supporting characters were a great addition to the story, and though some parts were tragic, I'm glad the plot was portrayed realistically for the time period and not wrapped up perfectly in a pretty bow. The only downside to this book is that it made me crave chocolate the entire time. That being said, where it's a perfect historical romance for any time of the year, it's especially so as we near Valentine's Day. Just make sure to have your faves on hand as you read. 

The Heart's Charge by Karen Witemeyer

FOR YEARS THEY'VE BEEN NOMADS FOR JUSTICE,

BUT A FINAL MISSION MAY JUST LEAD THEIR HEARTS HOME. 

Members of the legendary Hanger's Horsemen, Mark Wallace and Jonah Brooks arrive in Llano County, Texas, to deliver a steed, never expecting they'd help deliver a baby as well. Left with an infant to care for, they head to a nearby foundling home, where Mark encounters the woman he nearly married a decade ago.

After failing at love, Katherine Palmer has dedicated her life to caring for children, teaming up with Eliza Southerland to start Harmony House. Eliza understands the pain of not fitting society's mold, being illegitimate and of mixed ancestry. Yet those are the very attributes that lead her to minister to outcast children. The taciturn Jonah intrigues her by defying all her stereotypes of men, but there are secrets behind his eyes—ghosts from wars past and others still being waged.

When the Horsemen hear rumors of missing children, they stay to investigate, sticking close to Harmony House and its beautiful owners. As they work together to uncover the truth, love and danger grow hand in hand until a final sinister scheme threatens to destroy them all.

Publisher: Bethany House, 2021

Genre: historical romance

Setting: Llano County, Texas, 1894

Series: Hanger's Horsemen, book 2

My Review

Ms. Witemeyer has done it again! The Heart's Charge is a delightful addition to the Hanger's Horsemen series. The sweet, slow-burn romance between Mark and Katherine sets the story, while a love interest for Jonah keeps readers guessing what will happen for him. The mysterious and danger-filled plot keeps the pages turning. This story is full of sweetness and love, rugged men and pure entertainment. I'm eagerly awaiting book three in the series. 

*sidenote* While this is a standalone novel, I suggest reading book one first, as it gives rich details of the backstory that follows through the entire series. 

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. 

Tidewater Bride by Laura Frantz

 

Selah Hopewell, Virginia Colony's most eligible woman, is busy matchmaking for a ship of brides, though she has no wish to wed.

Xander Renick is perhaps the most eligible tobacco lord in the settlement, but he is already wedded to his business and still grieves the loss of his wife, daughter of the Powhatan chief.

Can two fiercely independent people find happiness and fulfillment on their own? Or will they discover that what they've been missing in life has been right in front of them all along

Publisher: Revell, 2021

Series: standalone novel

Genre: historical romance

Setting: James Towne, Virginia Colony, 1634

My Review

Many books I've read set in Virginia Colony have been too dry for my taste, but not so with Tidewater Bride. The plot is rich with adventure, the characters are complex and deep, and the romance is sizzling! The storyline is original and true to Ms. Frantz's poetic and engaging prose. This book gave me all the feels. Truly the best book I've read in a long time.

An Appalachian Summer by Ann H. Gabhart

In 1933, most people are focused on the Great Depression but all Piper Danson can think about is how to get out of being a debutante and marrying Braxton Crandall. In an act of defiance, Piper volunteers as a frontier nursing courier in the Appalachian Mountains where adventure awaits.

Publisher: Revell, 2020

Genre: Historical Romance

Setting: Appalachia, 1933

My Review

This is the first book I've read by this author. The premise intrigued me, the characters were likable, and the beginning of the book started off strong. While well-written, my excitement for the story waned the further I read. I felt that some parts slowed the story enough that it caused me to lose my interest. I, honestly, did not finish the book. I was halfway through. It's a book I will hang onto and try again at another time in case my current mood affected my reading.

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. 

When Silence Sings by Sarah Loudin Thomas

After the rival McLean clan guns down his cousin, Colman Harpe chooses peace over seeking revenge with his family. But when he hears God tell him to preach to the McLeans, a failed attempt to run away leaves him sick and suffering in their territory. He soon learns that appearances can be deceiving, and the face of evil doesn't look like he expected.


Publisher: Bethany House, 2019
Genre: historical fiction (with light romance)
Setting: West Virginia, 1930


My Review
I love Sarah’s books because of their authenticity. Her characters are so genuine in their triumphs and their flaws. Her settings feel like home. Her plots are relevant with sound Bible teaching stitched throughout like a handmade quilt you want to wrap up in.

When Silence Sings is beautifully written and stays with you long after you turn the last page. I highly recommend this book.

The Spice King by Elizabeth Camden

Gray Delacroix has dedicated his life to building a successful global spice empire, but it has come at a cost. Tasked with gaining access to the private Delacroix plant collection, Smithsonian botanist Annabelle Larkin unwittingly steps into a web of dangerous political intrigue and will be forced to choose between her heart and her loyalty to her country.

Publisher: Bethany House, 2019

Genre: historical romance

My Review

I love Ms. Camden's books for the way she makes history come alive. Her characters are solid, relatable, and intriguing. Her plot lines are gripping, and she weaves true history into fiction masterfully. I always learn something when I read one of her books.

The Spice King was no exception. Grey Delacroix was flawed yet oh-so-dreamy as owner of a global spice empire, a perfect match for the energetic and driven Annabelle Larkin, a Smithsonian botanist. I enjoyed learning about various spices, the various ways they were formulated and bottled, and the challenge the government had regulating such items.

The side plot and supporting characters in this story were so well written, I'm impatiently waiting for Ms. Camden's next book.

A Bound Heart by Laura Frantz

Though Magnus MacLeish and Lark MacDougall grew up on the same castle grounds, Magnus is now laird of the great house and the Isle of Kerrera. Lark is but the keeper of his bees and the woman he is hoping will provide a tincture that might help his ailing wife conceive and bear him an heir. But when his wife dies suddenly, Magnus and Lark find themselves caught up in a whirlwind of accusations, expelled from their beloved island, and sold as indentured servants across the Atlantic. Yet even when all hope seems dashed against the rocky coastline of the Virginia colony, it may be that in this New World the two of them could make a new beginning—together.

Publisher: Revell, 2019

Genre: Historical Romance

My Review

Ms. Frantz’s books are always a delight to read. She creates a perfect balance between romance and an intriguing plot line with a perfect amount of history thrown in. I always learn something about history I didn’t know when I read her books. A Bound Heart is a must-read for fans of Poldark, as some elements at the start of the story are similar. I enjoyed Lark’s profession and her beekeeping, and learning how many of the insects and plants we have in America today came from other countries. I also enjoyed how not every element of the plot was tied up with a pretty bow, as it was written realistic to the time period. I look forward to this author’s next book.

The Christmas Heirloom

In Kristi Ann Hunter's "Legacy of Love," Sarah Gooding never suspected returning a brooch to an elderly woman would lead to a job . . . and introduce her to the woman's grandson, a man far above her station.

In Karen Witemeyer's "Gift of the Heart," widow Ruth Albright uses the family brooch as collateral for a loan from the local banker. But the more she comes to know the man behind the stern businessman, the more she hopes for a second chance at love.

In Sarah Loudin Thomas's "A Shot at Love," Fleeta Brady's rough-and-tumble childhood means she prefers hunting to more feminine activities. She never expected her family's brooch might be how a fellow hunter turns her attention from competition to romance.

In Becky Wade's "Because of You," Maddie Winslow has spent years in love with a man whose heart was already spoken for. When a church Christmas project brings them together and she stumbles upon an old family brooch, might it finally be her turn for love?

My Review

This is the perfect novella collection to get you in the holiday spirit. The stories range from 1827 to present day, and each story revolves around an amethyst brooch handed down through the generations. 

Each story was wonderful in its own way, starting with Kristi Ann Hunter’s “Legacy of Love,” set in England and full of witty and lovable characters. Karen Witemeyer’s “Gift of the Heart” is warm and charming with a Texas Christmas as homey as the southern settings in her other books. “A Shot at Love” (a Sound of Rain novella) by Sarah Loudin Thomas takes readers to West Virginia for the holidays. The setting and inviting cast of characters made me feel like I had gone home after being away. It was great to visit this family again. Finally, Becky Wade’s “Because if You” (a Bradford Sisters novella) brought all the stories together in a precious romance worthy of a Hallmark Christmas movie. 

My rating is based on the stories together as a whole. I highly recommend this book. 

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. 

The Accidental Guardian by Mary Connealy

She's the only witness to a wagon train attack. Keeping her safe, though, means his world is about to be turned upside down.

When Trace Riley finds the smoldering ruins of a small wagon train, he recognizes an attack by the same group who left him as sole survivor years ago. Living off the wilderness since then, he's finally carved out a home and started a herd--while serving as a self-appointed guardian of the trail. He'd hoped the days of driving off dangerous men were over, but the latest attack shows otherwise.

Deborah Harkness saved her younger sister and two toddlers during the attack, and now finds herself at the mercy of her rescuer. Trace becomes an accidental guardian when he offers the only shelter for miles around and agrees to take them in until they can safely continue their journey. His simple bachelor existence never anticipated kids and women in the picture and their arrival is unsettling--yet enticing.

Trace and Deborah find themselves drawing ever closer as they work together to bring justice to the trail and help the group survive the winter--but every day closer to spring means a day closer to leaving the mountains forever.

Publisher: Bethany House, 2017
Genre: historical romance


My Review

Mary Connealy brings readers another sweet, action-filled romance! As always, Ms. Connealy opens the novel right in the middle of the action. Readers are instantly grounded in the plot, rooting for the hero's and heroine's escape. Trace Riley's unique backstory makes him LOVABLE, and his journey intertwines perfectly with the novel's theme. Deborah Harkness's past makes her hesitance toward Trace understandable and makes her character journey all the more sweet. The ending is satisfying and had me looking forward to the next book in this series.


This story holds a more serious undertone than most of Ms. Connealy's stories, but I found this refreshing after her last spunky, fast-paced series (The Cimarron Legacy). I give this book four stars.

Holding the Fort by Regina Jennings

When dance hall singer Louisa Bell visits Fort Reno to see her brother, she is mistaken for the governess that the harried Major Daniel Adams is waiting for. Between his rowdy troops and his two daughters, he has more responsibility than he can handle alone. Eager for the opportunity, Louisa sets out to show the widower that she is a perfect fit.

Publisher: Bethany House, Dec 2017

Genre: Historical Romance

My Review

This super fun plot grabbed my attention from the first page and held it to the last! Set in the tamed--untamed--west, opposites truly attract when Major Daniel Adams falls at dance hall singer, Louisa Bell's, feet--literally.  That starts a gambit of twists and turns, misunderstandings and deceptions that will either bring Daniel and Louisa together or will tear them apart.

With witty dialogue that had me laughing out loud, bold and lovable characters, and the plotting genius of Ms. Jennings, I give this book five stars!


I recommend this book to anyone who loves funny, light-hearted entertainment and those who love historical fiction. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. My opinion was in no way influenced by anyone except the authors talent for writing.

A Dangerous Legacy by Elizabeth Camden

Lucy is determined to keep working as a telegraph operator at a news agency, even though the arrival of Sir Colin Beckwith threatens her position. When she discovers Colin's shocking secret, she agrees to assist him if he helps her find her family's stolen inheritance--not realizing that the trail leads into a web of treachery, danger, and conspiracy.


Publisher: Bethany House, 2017
Genre: Historical Romance


My Review

Ms. Camden never fails to captivate me from the first chapter with her strong, complex characters and her gripping historical plots. A Dangerous Legacy is no exception. 

Lucy Drake and Sir Colin Beckwith have an electric attraction from the first moment they meet. Colin's loyalty to his family estate overseas and the decades-long feud surrounding Lucy's family make a romantic relationship between the pair near impossible. But need drives them together in a way that creates a formidable team and soon the two are deeper into the journey than they intended. 

With strong supporting characters and constant twists, A Dangerous Legacy is one I will read again. I give this book five stars!

__________________________________________

Learn more at www.elizabethcamden.com

Heart on the Line by Karen Witemeyer

When danger arrives, it's more than just her heart on the line.

Grace Mallory is tired of running, of hiding. But when an old friend sends an after-hours telegraph transmission warning Grace that the man who has hunted her for nearly a year has discovered her location, she fears she has no choice. She can't let the villain she believes responsible for her father's death release his wrath in Harper's Station, the town that has sheltered her and blessed her with the dearest friends she's ever known. 

Amos Bledsoe prefers bicycles to horses and private conversations over the telegraph wire to social gatherings with young ladies who see him as nothing more than an oddity. His telegraph companion, the mysterious Miss G, listens eagerly to his ramblings every night and delights him with tales all her own. For months, their friendship--dare he believe, courtship?--has fed his hope that he has finally found the woman God intended for him. Yet when he takes the next step to meet her in person, he discovers her life is in peril, and Amos must decide if he can shed the cocoon of his quiet nature to become the hero Grace requires.

Publisher: Bethany House, 2017

Genre: Historical Romance

Series: Ladies of Harper Station, book #2

My Review

Solid writing from Karen Witemeyer. Heart on the Line is book two of her Ladies of Harper Station series. Grace Mallory is gentle yet tough, and her affinity for the telegraph leads her to Amos Bledsoe, a telegrapher in another town. Through secret messages, elusive code names, and a little flirting over the line, the two end up working together to save Grace from a dangerous man. The characters in this book are realistic and likable, and the town of Harper Station is intriguing. Full of heart and fun, I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys clean, entertaining historical plots and/or westerns. I give this book 4.5 stars!

Behind the Scenes by Jen Turano

Miss Permilia Griswold, the wallflower behind "The Quill" gossip column, knows everything that goes on in the ballrooms of New York. When she overhears a threat against the estimable Mr. Asher Rutherford, she's determined to warn him. Away from society's spotlight, Asher and Permilia discover there's more going on behind the scenes than they anticipated.

Bethany House Publishers, 2017

Historical Romance

Apart From the Crowd series, book 1

My Review

Jen Turano is known for her lovable characters and witty banter. Her plots are always complex, yet light-hearted, and include a good mystery. Behind the Scenes was written in true Turano fashion, starring Permilia Griswold, a socialite banned to the wallflower section of society, and Asher Rutherford, an eligible bachelor who owns a department store. With instant chemistry on Asher's end, these characters fall into a comfortable camaraderie from the first page that both charms and delights. Throw in a murder plot and a few unexpected twists, and you have a romance that takes center stage. 

I give this book 3.5 stars! 

A Note Yet Unsung by Tamera Alexander

Despite her training as a master violinist, Rebekah Carrington was denied entry into the Nashville Philharmonic by young conductor Nathaniel Whitcomb, who bowed to public opinion. Now, with a reluctant muse and a recurring pain in his head, he needs her help to finish his symphony. But how can he win back her trust when he's robbed her of her dream?


Publisher: Bethany House, 2017
Genre: Historical Romance
Setting: Nashville, Tennessee, 1871


My Review
A Note Yet Unsung is a beautiful and complex story of music, dreams, and the many relationships formed in a lifetime.  This novel is full of strong, romantic tension between two characters who know what they want and aren't afraid to work for it. With a gripping plot that plays across the pages as melodically as Tate Whitcomb's symphony, A Note Yet Unsung is a must-read for all fans of historic romance. Tamera Alexander does not disappoint with her conclusion of the Belmont Mansion series. This is a standalone novel, but I highly recommend reading the other books in this series as well. 

For the Record by Regina Jennings

Betsy Huckabee might be a small-town girl, but she has big-city dreams. Writing for her uncle's newspaper will never lead to independence, and the bigger newspapers don't seem interested in the Hart County news. Trying a new approach, Betsy pens a romanticized serial for the ladies' pages, and the new deputy provides the perfect inspiration for her submissions. She'd be horrified if he read her breathless descriptions of him, but these articles are for a newspaper far away. No one in Pine Gap will ever know. 

Deputy Joel Puckett didn't want to leave Texas, but this job in tiny Pine Gap is his only shot at keeping his badge. With masked marauders riding every night, his skills and patience are tested, but even more challenging is the sassy journalist lady chasing him.

Publisher: Bethany House, 2016

Genre: historical romance

Setting: Missouri, 1885

Author website: www.reginajennings.com

My rating: 4.0  stars

My Review:

Regina Jennings has, once again, created a story with spunky and lovable characters, full of humor and strength for hours of entertainment. Set in Pine Gap, Missouri, 1885, this novel follows a quirky heroine who longs for the perfect hero so badly she writes about one, using the new sheriff as her guide. But as we all know, what we plan for isn't always what happens, and sometimes we should be careful what we wish for. 

Full of heart and lessons learned, I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical romance and good, clean entertainment. 

A Lady Unrivaled by Rosanna M. White

Lady Ella Myerston can always find a reason to smile--even if it's just in hope that tomorrow will be better than today. All her life everyone has tried to protect her from the realities of the world, but Ella knows very well the danger that has haunted her brother and their friend, and she won't wait for it to strike again. She intends to take action . . . and if that happens to involve an adventurous trip to the Cotswolds, then so much the better. 

Lord Cayton has already broken two hearts, including that of his first wife, who died before he could convince himself to love her. Now he's determined to live a better life. But that proves complicated when old friends arrive on the scene and try to threaten him into a life of crime. He does his best to remove the intriguing Lady Ella from danger, but the stubborn girl won't budge. How else can he redeem himself, though, but by saving her--and his daughter--from those dangerous people who seem ready to destroy them all?


Publisher: Revell, 2016
Genre: Historical Romance


My Review
Lady Ella is determined to find the Fire Eyes diamonds to save her family from any more peril. Even if it means putting herself at risk. She takes on this mission alone, or so she thinks. An unexpected meeting with Lord James Cayton complicates her plans and confuses her heart. 

I loved the banter between the hero and heroine. Both characters are strong yet flawed, and deliciously perfect for each other. This is the first book I've read by Ms. White, and it won't be my last. 

I give this book 5 stars!

A Heart Most Certain by Melissa Jagears

Lydia King knows what it's like to be in need, so when she joins the Teaville Moral Society, she genuinely hopes to help the town's poor. But with her father's debts increasing by the day and her mother growing sicker by the week, she wonders how long it will be until she ends up in the poor house herself. Her best chance at a financially secure future is to impress the politician courting her, and it certainly doesn't hurt that the moral society's president is her suitor's mother. Her first task as a moral society member—to obtain a donation from Nicholas Lowe, the wealthiest man in town—should be easy . . . except he flat-out refuses.
Despite appearances, Nicholas wants to help others but prefers to do it his own way, keeping his charity private. When Lydia proves persistent, they agree to a bargain, though Nicholas has a few surprises up his sleeve. Neither foresee the harrowing complications that will arise from working together. When town secrets are brought to light, this unlikely pair must decide where their beliefs—and hearts—truly align.


Publisher: Bethany House, 2016
Genre: historical romance


My Review
Lydia King considered herself a good Christian, taking care of her dying mother, attending church faithfully, tithing, and volunteering through her local Moral Society. Until she meets the reclusive, handsome, and wealthy Nicholas Lowe. To prove to her future mother-in-law she's an asset to her intended's political career, Lydia takes on the task of begging money from the tight-fisted miser to aid the Moral Society's latest project. Lydia fails. No matter how many times she asks or which tactic she uses, Nicholas always answers no. 

Intrigued by her stubbornness and spunk, Nicholas decides to let Lydia dictate other ways he should help the less fortunate without granting her original request. Only there's a twist. Through disguises, late night meetings, and help from the wrong side of the tracks, Lydia discovers what serving God truly means. 

With unexpected twists, lovable characters, and a great faith message, I gave this book 4.5 stars!

*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.