Category: Historical Fiction

The Heart of a Cowboy

Jody Hedlund

MY REVIEW

This is the second book in this series, Colorado Cowboys. It states it is Historical Fiction, but it really is far more a romance story

I liked the main characters in the story. I didn’t particularly care for their love story. There was a lot of physical attraction mentioned, and they kiss several times then decide to make nothing of it. I found that a bit strange for this historical time. Nowadays, that’s certainly a far more commonplace idea and happening. In the past, though, a kiss really meant something.

It was interesting to read how far they drove the cattle, the dangers along the way, what they did when water was scarce, and how they overcame other obstacles as they made their way on the Santa Fe Trail.

I also enjoyed the family dynamics in the story. They are interesting, really, for both the female and male heroine. There is more complexity in the hero’s story and family. I enjoyed getting to know Wyatt’s ( hero from the previous book) family in this book.

More history and deeper character development than romance is my “cup of tea”, but this book is a favorite among fans. For Jody Hedlund fans, her writing is vivid and detailed as always…and a bit of mystery to the story as well. So if you are interested in taking a historical trip on the Santa Fe trail, grab a copy.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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A View Most Glorious

Regina Scott

MY REVIEW

This was a fun, quick read. I really liked the main characters, and there are some wonderful secondary characters as well. They really come to life in the book. 

Lately I have really enjoyed the books that allow me to travel. The author does a great job with the setting and the history in the book.

The faith theme is a good one as well. It is quite strong in this book, and it is natural to the storyline. The book is a bit predictable, but I enjoyed the journey and seeing how things turned out for the characters.

An armchair travel book with wonderful, vivid characters; interesting and intriguing storyline, and an intrinsic faith theme is all wrapped up in a very enjoyable novel.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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A Deep Divide

Kimberley Woodhouse

MY REVIEW

I hadn’t heard anything about Harvey Girls until reading this book. The history of the restaurant chain was fascinating. I also enjoyed the historical characters added into the story. The author really did a great job of making the reader want to visit the restaurant and the Grand Canyon.

I enjoyed the characters in this book. The characters, plot, and storyline were very well done. The suspense keeps the reader turning the pages. The faith theme is a good one, and this read gets a higher rating because of it. The theme of over coming ones fears, and the scripture verses that are in the book do such a marvelous job of showing why we need not fear. The faith theme is an intricate part of the story, and it is so well done.

So take a trip to the Grand Canyon, learn some great history, and read about God’s Grace and love in this beautifully written story.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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Carved in Stone

Elizabeth Camden

MY REVIEW

Carved in Stone by Camden is in an interesting time in history. I have watched documentaries on the Rockefeller and Carnegie dynasties so I’m familiar with steel and this time period. I enjoyed the history, plot. And characters. It was predictable but interesting enough to keep me in the book.

I felt more connected to the main female character, but I found myself wishing to know a bit more about her younger years. I liked the main male character, but I didn’t really like all of the rosary mentions that came up in regards to his character. I realize that some of it made it historical as Irish immigrants were Catholic, but it seemed odd in a Christian fiction book.

The history and its background was what really held my attention throughout this book. It was very well done.

I received this book from the publisher.All opinions are my own. 

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The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery

By Amanda Cox

MY REVIEW


I thoroughly enjoyed this read! It’s what I call “Women’s Fiction.” Three generations of mothers and their struggles and triumphs. Life…that’s the best way I can think to describe this wonderful read. Far too many secrets among family and how they play out in each of their lives. It is so realistic, heart wrenching, and heartwarming. Lynn Austin is one of my favorite authors, and it felt a bit like reading one of her stories.

Love, marriage, birth, rearing children…all those things that are so important in life and in a women’s life are so well put on paper. People’s perspectives, motives, and choices- how they affect what kind of life we lead…and how people can be so very wrong in their perspective of someone else, even their own mothers. It’s quite a powerful story, really, yet so simply told. Beautifully told.

I was thrilled with the characters, loved the split time,setting, and storyline. The Vietnam era isn’t a common one, though I have noticed more authors using it. I so enjoyed the story and writing that I hope to get this author’s first book as well. I believe I have found a new author to follow. If you love family fiction or women’s fiction, you really don’t want to miss this novel. It is definitely going on my forever shelves. This would make a great book club read….and a great re-read as well. Go get it.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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A Lady in Attendance

By Rachel Fordham

MY REVIEW

This is my first book by this author. I have wanted to read previous ones just have a TBR that feels like it’s never ending so I hadn’t read one yet. I’m hoping to get her previous ones as I enjoyed this book. I had no idea what “lady in attendance “ meant, but I was quite surprised that was her title. 

I really liked the characters in this book. Gilbert’s shy behavior was something to which I could definitely relate. His career was an interesting one, and I loved reading the author notes as to why she chose his profession.

The main characters were wonderful, the storyline turned out to have several surprises and much suspense. It’s difficult not to give anything away here, but I’ll just say that I was definitely surprised at the turn the book took. It held my attention, and I ended up staying up well into the morning hours to find out what happened.

The faith theme was incredibly strong, and it , in itself, brought about much change. It was incredibly well done.

I thoroughly enjoyed this author’s writing style and do hope to read more of her books soon. Definitely do not miss this story! It was such a sweet story with much to enjoy.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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Along a Storied Trail

By Ann Gabhart

MY REVIEW

This was a lovely story and so well written. I really liked Tansy and her love for books. I had heard about the people who delivered books during the Great Depression, but this story really brought that to life. I didn’t realize that they used materials to make books or that they delivered so many magazines.

I really enjoyed the characters in this book that bring the storyline to life. It had wonderful dialogue between the characters. The story seemed so realistic and true to its time period. There was quite a varied group of characters in the book all adding to a well written story.

I loved the faith theme in the book as well. It was intrinsic to the story and well written. Forgiveness, love, hope, and thankfulness were all woven so well into the plot. The dialogue of spiritual things was intriguing and added much to the novel.

A beautiful cast of characters, wonderful scene and era brought to life, and a realistic and interesting faith theme all made for a novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. This book will make it to my forever shelves-beautifully done!

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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The Nature of a Lady

By Roseanna M. White

MY REVIEW

This was a terrific mystery story with an engaging plot and lovable and despicable characters. It had all the right elements to make an enjoyable story.

I loved the mystery part of the story, and it was a pleasant surprise as this author is not known for mystery necessarily. It was very well done. I love the history in the book, and the setting is beautiful and so interesting with all the islands.

With such a wonderful plot and storyline, such creative characters, and a well done inspirational thread, the reader is kept engaged in the story and quickly turning the pages.
My favorite part is the spiritual mystery that unfolded in Libby. That story is beautifully and masterfully told.

I,too, was fascinated by the author notes. There she tells such an interesting story of how this story came to be. Do not miss reading those! I was so surprised at how the first part of this story was birthed.

Another wonderful novel from this author that will be on my forever shelves.

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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Hope Between the Pages

By Pepper Basham

MY REVIEW

This is a beautifully written time slip novel. I really enjoyed this novel, and this particular time-slip novel holds a unique distinction in all that I’ve read. I can’t pick a favorite. I enjoyed the historical and the contemporary stories. In all the others that come to mind, I can easily tell you that the historical held the largest part of my heart. Both of these stories, however, are so fascinating in story and sweet In characters. How can I possibly pick a favorite?

I love the interaction in the historical story between the two main characters. The fact that they fall in love through books is fascinating. It is so well done! The backdrop is wonderful and the characters engaging.

In the present day story Max draws me. He has scars that he thinks will prevent anyone from seeing HIM. With his sweet character and thoughtfulness, he definitely underestimated himself. I’m in a wheelchair, and I thought the same. Then I met a man who saw me…and no friend of my hubby’s knows until they meet me that I’m handicapped. I’ll never forget my trip to get a wig before a brain surgery. The lady who runs the place looked at me ( while he was perusing the tables of hair) and said, “ He married you like THAT?” Yes…yes, he did. This is why I felt so pulled towards Max and his story. I understand the thought that what can be seen will override anything else. So many times in this world of beauties…that is true. The treasure is finding someone who values you…the real you.

This was such a well done, beautiful written story ( both of them)…so many characters that I loved…and the story itself is enough to keep the reader turning the pages. Add the wonderful fairy tales with the well written lovely characters, and you have a book that made my forever shelves…and is highly likely to be read more than once. This is at least my second favorite book by this author. Vying for Position is August and Jessica in The Thorn Keeper…a read that I still easily remember. Hope Between the Pages will be the same. Do not miss this beautiful story where the authors heart is between the pages as well.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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Dreams Rekindled

By Amanda Cabot

MY REVIEW

Such a wonderful historical novel. I really enjoy Amanda Cabot’s historicals. This series has a great set of characters. I really like the main characters and the secondary characters in this story.

It’s a lovely historically complete with a mystery! I really like that added element to the story. The characters themselves kept me vested in the story, but the storyline itself is a strong one. I love the character growth that takes place in this novel. Several of the characters have growing to do, and I love how the author uses the circumstances to bring about the growth. 

I connected very well with Dorothy. I never intended to marry. I thought that was God’s will for my life for several reasons, but God brought someone into my life that made it evident I had been wrong. Sometimes we have ideas of what our life should be, but choosing the path God wants is always the best choice.

I really enjoyed the storyline and the characters, but this novel got a full four stars because of the lovely faith theme that permeated this book. It was a beautiful faith theme and a strong one. Don’t miss out on this series. I’m loving it! 

I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

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