Against the Tide by Elizabeth Camden

About the Book:

After a childhood rampant with uncertainty, Lydia Pallas has carved out a perfect life for herself. She spends her days within sight of the bustling Boston Harbor, where her skill with languages has landed her an enviable position as a translator for the U.S. Navy.

Lydia's talents bring her to the attention of Alexander Banebridge, a mysterious man in need of a translator. Driven by a campaign to end the opium trade, Bane is coolly analytical and relentless in his quest. He cannot afford to fall for Lydia and must fight the bittersweet love growing between them.

When Bane's enemies gain the upper hand, he is forced to turn to Lydia for help. Determined to prove her worth, Lydia soon discovers that carrying out Bane's mission will test her wits and her courage to the very limits.

When forces conspire against them from without and within, can their love survive? 

My Review:

5 Stars

I first have to say that I absolutely love Elizabeth Camden's books and anxiously look forward to her next one. She has easily become one of my favorite authors and her books keep getting better and better. Against the Tide is her third book but it brings back a much loved(at least by the end) character from her first book, The Lady of Bolton Hill. It was so much to see where his story would lead and see him as the hero of the book. By the way, you don't have to read the first book but it will give you a better understanding of Bane and the world he came from.

I really loved Lydia in this book and her talent at learning languages. The ability to learn a new language is definitely a talent and one that can give you unique jobs and put you in interesting situations  All of this Lydia faced and was how she crossed paths with Bane in the first place.  Lydia is such a sweet person that has had a rough road as a child and even to a point as an adult but it does not stop her from wanting to achieve happiness,security and success. I also really enjoyed the faith side of this story because it took the perspective of the hero leading the heroine to Christ and not the other way around (which seems more common).

In conclusion, I highly, highly recommend this book to everyone and also her other two books. You won't be sorry nor will you find it a waste of time. Instead you will be swept into these awesome romance stories that you won't want to put down and will be sad when they end. I know I can't wait till her next release.

*I received this book from the author for the purpose of this review. Thank You!

Lovelier than Daylight by Rosslyn Elliott

About the Book:

Susanna is a lady of principles who values family above all. Johann seems to represent all she despises . . . but appearances can be deceiving.

In 1875, Susanna Hanby is headed off to college in Westerville, Ohio, when she discovers her sister Rachel and Rachel’s children have disappeared. Susanna suspects that Rachel’s alcoholic husband knows more than he’s saying and she vows to uncover the truth.

Johann Giere is heir to a successful German-American brewery in Columbus, but longs for a career in journalism in New York City. When Johann signs on as the supplier for a new saloon in Westerville, his and Susanna’s paths cross and sparks fly. A fiery temperance crusader, Susanna despises Johann’s profession, but she cannot deny the attraction.

When Susanna learns that Rachel’s children have been indentured to orphanages in the city, she despairs that her family will be fractured forever. But Johann makes Susanna an offer she can’t refuse—pitting her passion and her principles against one another.

If she can find a way for her head and her heart to be in harmony, a future lovelier than daylight awaits her.

Lovelier than Daylight is a story of love and faith based on the Westerville Whiskey War of 1875, a dramatic real historical event featured in the 2011 documentary Prohibition by Ken Burns.

My Review:

5 Stars

Wow, what a great ending to Rosslyn Elliott's Saddler's Legacy trilogy. I think this may have been my favorite in the series or at least tied with book 1, Fairer Than Morning. While technically I think you could read this book without reading the other ones, I am not sure I can recommend that only because all the books are so good and should be read.

I really loved the characters in this book and how they handled the situations they were faced with. It was fun watching Susanna and Johann interact because while they had similar passions there was one thing that stood between them and it was fun to see how they would overcome the issue. I found Susanna courageous and daring in ways with her determination to find Rachel and get her children out of the orphanages. I found this book made me think alot of what would I do if I was in her shoes, and boy it wouldn't be easy.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves historical romance, especially the kind set around real historic events. This one is fun because it deals with a tiny part of history in the state of Ohio that many,many people probably have never heard of. 

Great job, Rosslyn on another fantastic book!

*I received this book from booksneeze.com for the purpose of this review. Thank you!

Christmas Roses by Amanda Cabot

About the Book:

Celia Anderson doesn't need anything for Christmas except a few more boarders, which are hard to come by in this small mining town. She certainly doesn't have a husband on her Christmas wish list. But when a wandering carpenter finds lodging at her boarding house, she admits that she might remarry if she found the right man--the kind of man who would bring her roses for Christmas. It would take a miracle to get roses during a harsh Wyoming winter. But Christmas, after all, is the time for miracles . . .

My Review: 

4 Stars

What a sweet and fun Christmas novella! I have loved everything Amanda Cabot has written and her first Christmas novella is just as good.  I generally do not read alot of Christmas stories since I find them to be all rather similar, but this one stands out to me and I highly recommend it to everyone to read this Christmas season.

*I received this book from Revell for the purpose of this review.

Change of Fortune by Jen Turano

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Change of Fortune Bethany House Publishers (November 1, 2012) by Jen Turano

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jen grew up in the small town of St. Clairsville, Ohio, where she spent an idyllic childhood riding her purple spider bike, ice-skating on a little pond and reading Nancy Drew and Trixie Beldon books in her tree house. High School was, surprisingly enough, fabulous as Jen spent time with her girlfriends. She headed off to college with no idea of what she wanted to be when she grew up, but settled on pursuing a career in fashion because she thought it sounded glamorous. Her parents thought she’d lost her mind, but they resigned themselves to her choice and after earning a BA degree in Clothing and Textiles, Jen set off to take the fashion world by storm, only to discover retail was certainly not the glamorous career she’d imagined it would be. She moved to Buffalo, New York to take a job in the buying office of a large department store, learning all there was to know about cookware, which again, was hardly glamorous, especially to a girl who did not have a knack for cooking. She met her future husband, Al, a few months after taking this job and eight months later, they were married. After moving into management at another department store and working that for a few years, the company went out of business and Jen decided she’d had enough. One year later her son was born and Jen hung up her heels for good and concentrated on being a mom.

She began dabbling in writing when her son, then in elementary school, said he liked her made up stories as much as those in his books. It was then that she fired up the computer and never looked back.

Jen loves to write humorous stories with quirky characters and a dash of intrigue and finds historical romances especially appealing, seeing as how she’s been reading them since she was a teenager. Her mother gave her a copy of Kathleen Woodiwiss, The Flame and the Flower, and Jen was hooked on the genre. When not reading romance, she loves to read mysteries, young adult and her favorite series of all time, Harry Potter.

Besides writing, Jen enjoys spending time with her family and friends.



ABOUT THE BOOK

Lady Eliza Sumner is on a mission. Her fortune was the last thing she had left after losing her father, her fiance, and her faith. Now, masquerading as Miss Eliza Sumner governess-at-large, she's determined to find the man who ran off with her fortune, reclaim the money, and head straight back to London.

Mr. Hamilton Beckett, much to his chagrin, is the catch of the season, and all the eyes of New York society--all the female ones, at least--are on him. He has no plans to marry again, especially since his hands are full keeping his business afloat while raising his two children alone.

Eliza's hapless attempts to regain her fortune unexpectedly put her right in Hamilton's path. The discovery of a common nemesis causes them to join forces and, before she knows it, Eliza has a whole retinue of people helping her. Eliza's determination not to trust anyone weakens when everyone's antics and bumbling efforts to assist her make her wonder if there might be more important things than her fortune and independence.

When all of Hamilton's and Eliza's best-laid plans fall by the wayside, it will take a riot of complications for them to realize that God just might have had a better plan in mind all along.

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Change of Fortune, go HERE.

Placebo by Steven James

About the Book:

While covertly investigating a controversial neurological research program, exposé filmmaker Jevin Banks is drawn into a far-reaching conspiracy involving one of the world's largest pharmaceutical firms. After giving up his career as an escape artist and illusionist in the wake of his wife and sons' tragic death, Jevin is seeking not only answers about the questionable mind-to-mind communication program, but also answers to why his family suffered as they did.

Rooted in ground-breaking science and inspired by actual research, Placebo explores the far reaches of science, consciousness, and faith. Readers will love this taut, intelligent, and emotionally gripping new thriller from master storyteller Steven James.

 My Review:

5 Stars

When I first picked up this book I expected a normal suspense novel where you have a detective trying to figure out exactly what is going on.  While at its core that’s what this book is I found some of the twists with the characters very interesting,  I mean who has heard of a ex-magician going around and debunking people’s schemes.  The side characters in this book were well developed and very interesting I think the author did a good job at introducing them and I look forward to reading more about them in future works. The progression of the main character made you feel like you were working through his issues with him.  I also found that the book did keep me guessing as to who the real bad guy is and what the real plan was.  The author also did a good job leaving the ending of the book open for another book in the series and while they did give you some closure I would have liked to know exactly what happened to his wife and kids but I guess that just means I will have to pick up the next book in this series when it comes out! 

* I received this book through Revell for the purpose of this review.

The Breath of Dawn by Kristen Heitzman

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing The Breath of Dawn Bethany House Publishers (November 1, 2012) by Kristen Heitzmann

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

From the time my dad taught me to read at sit-on-the-floor school when I was four—launching me past kindergarten into 1st grade—I have loved learning and expressing what I know through art, music, and especially writing. Education came easily, and I grew accustomed to having my work read and displayed. But breaking out of the family mold, I left college to marry my husband Jim (celebrating our 29th this year.) Since then, life and all kinds of research have provided the grist for my stories. We have three awesome adult kids, and one incredible teenager. (You might think I’m biased, but ask anyone who knows them.)

While home schooling my four kids, I wrote my first novel. I pitched it for publication, and it became the first of a five book historical series. Since then, I have written three more historical novels and nine contemporaries. The Still of Night was nominated for the Colorado Book Award. The Tender Vine was a Christy Award finalist and Secrets won a Christy in 2005.

People often ask why I started writing, and I say to get the stories out of my head. Some say they’d like to write a book, but I say if you’re not wracked with labor pains, there are easier ways to express yourself. Being a writer is a solitary, eccentric, and often compulsive path. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything.



ABOUT THE BOOK

Kristen Heitzmann Delivers Powerful New Romantic Suspense

Morgan Spencer has had just about all he can take of life. Following the tragic death of his wife, Jill, he retreats to his brother's Rocky Mountain ranch to heal and focus on the care of his infant daughter, Olivia. Two years later, Morgan begins to make plans to return to his home in Santa Barbara to pick up the pieces of his life and career.

Quinn Riley has been avoiding her past for four years. Standing up for the truth has forced her into a life of fear and isolation. After a "chance" first meeting and a Thanksgiving snowstorm, Quinn is drawn into the Spencer family's warm and loving world, and she begins to believe she might find freedom in their friendship.

The man Quinn helped put behind bars has recently been released, however, and she fears her past will endanger the entire Spencer family. As the danger heightens, she determines to leave town for the sake of the people who have come to mean so much to her.

Fixing problems is what Morgan Spencer does best, and he is not willing to let Quinn run away, possibly into the clutches of a man bent on revenge. But Morgan's solution sends him and Quinn on an unexpected path, with repercussions neither could have anticipated.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Breath of Dawn, go HERE.

A Promise to Love by Serena B. Miller

About the Book:

Can a marriage of convenience ever become one of true love?

Ingrid Larsen arrives in Michigan in 1871 with little more than the clothes on her back and a determination to find her brother, who has disappeared into the dangerous lumber camps. Destitute and barely hanging on to hope, the young Swedish immigrant crosses paths with Joshua Hunter, a newly widowed farmer with eyes the color of the ocean she had crossed and five rambunctious children to raise on his own.

Marriage would solve both of their problems, and Ingrid finds herself proposing in broken English to a man she barely knows. Many difficulties lie ahead--but the hardest battle of all will be winning the heart of her new husband.

My Review:

4.5 Stars

I have come to the conclusion that Serena B Miller books are just plain awesome. I have enjoyed every one I have read and find myself greatly looking forward to another one. I love how she writes in more than one setting, but I will say the logging setting is very interesting to me. Partially since I didn't know that much about it and it is not a setting that is written in as much.

I really liked Ingrid in this book, she did a bold and courageous move offering to marry Joshua Hunter so he wouldn't lose his kids. The crazy part was that throughout the whole book she kept making bold moves. She was not afraid and always tried to what is right. I couldn't imagine making the decisions that she did and in many ways thankful I do not have to.

I highly recommend this book to everyone that loves a good historical romance based on some real history. Serena really does her research and makes the setting the come to life.

* I received this book from Revell Books for the purpose of this review. Thank you!