The Express Bride by Kimberly Woodhouse

Book Summary:

Jacqueline Rivers manages a Pony Express station in 1860 Utah territory after her father’s death. There are daily stresses placed on her in this unconventional role—and now a government official is asking her to sniff out counterfeiters. When Elijah Johnson passes through on the stage while on an exhausting quest to find his boss’s heir, he doesn’t want to leave the beguiling station manager. In fact, he may never leave when caught in the crossfire of the territory’s criminal activities. Jackie can’t decide if Elijah is friend or foe. Can she remain strong when secrets of the past and present are finally unearthed? 

My Thoughts:

The cover of this book is absolutely fantastic! I love the pop of red and after reading the book, the long blonde braid has a lot of significance to the story! I have never read any book centered around the Pony Express, so that aspect of this story alone was really interesting to read about! The prologue of this book will draw the reader in and really set the stage for the remainder of the book. I enjoyed getting a glimpse of how the Pony Express operated through Jackie and her crew, it was really fun to read about how the system worked and what went into moving along the riders and the mail. There was a bit of a mystery with the promise of danger throughout the story as the characters tried to confront an issue of forging. Amidst the daily tasks of the Express and the hunt for forgers Jackie and Elijah each search for answers relates to Jackie’s family and the past. There’s a tiny bit of romance sprinkled into this story as well!

This was a sweet historical with a bit of danger, mystery, and a dash of romance. The characters were easy to like and the story was unique and offered a glimpse into the fascinating workings of the Pony Express. An enjoyable read if you are looking for a light historical fiction novel!

If you would like to purchase a copy of The Express Bride or learn more about the author, visit the links below!

Amazon: The Express Bride

https://kimberleywoodhouse.com/

*I was given a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing but was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Yours Truly, Thomas by Rachel Fordham

Book Summary:

For three years, Penny Ercanbeck has been opening other people’s mail. Dead ends are a reality for clerks at the Dead Letter Office. Still she dreams of something more–a bit of intrigue, a taste of romance, or at least a touch less loneliness. When a letter from a brokenhearted man to his one true love falls into her hands, Penny seizes this chance to do something heroic. It becomes her mission to place this lost letter into the hands of its intended recipient.

Thomas left his former life with no intention of ending up in Azure Springs, Iowa. He certainly didn’t expect a happy ending after what he had done. All he wanted to do was run and never look back. In a moment of desperation, he began to write, never really expecting a reply.

When Penny’s undertaking leads her to the intriguing man who touched her soul with his words, everything grows more complicated. She wants to find the rightful owner of the letter and yet she finds herself caring–perhaps too much–for the one who wrote it.

 

My Thoughts:

I simply cannot get over how effortlessly lovely this book is!  Yours Truly, Thomas was a like a breath of fresh air!  Not only was this plot completely captivating, but the characters in this story are heartwarming and genuine with deeply felt emotions that leave the pages and settle on your heart.

The setting of Azure Springs adds so much charm and character to this story, I just love it!  The town is welcoming, the individuals are quirky and memorable, and the feeling of community is woven into this story with each and every encounter of its residents.

Penny and Thomas are perfection!  I adored their interactions!  Their friendship was natural and felt real to me.  They were able to share humor and have fun, but they were also able to have deep conversations and share about life’s struggles and hurts.  I was well balanced and delightful to see their friendship blossom and grow as they spent time together.

One of my unexpected favorites from this book was the character of Margaret!  She is a humorous yet practical voice of reason for many of the characters in this story and it was so great to have her popping up at just the right moments to lend advice or contrive a plan to create a little matchmaking.

This book had a little bit of everything I love about Historical Romance and it was written so well!  The book flowed, the plot intrigued, and the romance was subtle yet sweet as the characters discovered who they are and what they wanted out of life.  The slight mystery element only added to the interest of this story!  I would definitely recommend this book to Historical Fiction fans!

If you would like to purchase a copy of Yours Truly, Thomas or learn more about Rachel Fordham, visit the links below!

Amazon: Yours Truly, Thomas

https://rachelfordham.com/

 

*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher but I was not required to leave a positive review.  All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Midnight on the River Grey by Abigail Wilson

Book Summary:

After her elder brother’s mysterious death, Rebecca Hunter vows to expose the man she believes responsible: Mr. Lewis Browning—known by the locals as the Midnight Devil and by Rebecca as her new guardian.

Summoned to his reclusive country estate to await her London season, Rebecca plans her own secret investigation among the darkened corridors of the mysterious Greybourne Hall. Yet Lewis Browning is not as she once imagined, and his motivation is horribly unclear. Recurrent nightmares and Rebecca’s restless feelings are further complicated by the shadow of her mother’s prior descent into madness and wondering if she, too, will follow the same heartbreaking path.

Even as midnight rides, strange injuries, and further murders lead back to Mr. Browning, Rebecca can’t ignore the subtle turn of her heart. Has she developed feelings for the man she swore to see hanged? And moreover, can she trust him with her uncertain future?

 

My Thoughts:

Midnight on the River Grey was another mysteriously enticing novel from Abigail Wilson!  This book was intriguing and peeked my curiosity as the characters endeavored to make sense of a variety of obscure circumstances and murders.   This plot kept me guessing and searching for answers until the end!

The cast of  characters in this book was likable and really interacted well in this story.  Rebecca was unique and memorable  and I enjoyed her lack of propriety and her quick tongue.  Lewis was the perfect match for Rebecca!  He was generous and kind, but also had a great sense of humor which was subtle but enjoyable.  However, all of Lewis’s character traits are wrapped in a shroud of mystery because of his peculiar habits and midnight rides.

The second half of the book is really where things picked up pace in my opinion.  Things got exciting!  There were a few shocking twists and I loved it!  I am not going to spoil anything!  It was well done!  All of the questions I had were answered and the conclusion was perfect!

If you like historical fiction with a mysterious flair then I would definitely recommend adding this to your reading list! I loved the atmosphere she created in her novels!  Its eerie and Gothic feeling with bits of romance! Abigail Wilson is on my must read list after two stellar novels that I could not put down!

If you would like to purchase a copy of Midnight on the River Grey or learn more about Abigail Wilson, visit the links below!

Amazon  Barnes and Noble BookBub Goodreads Christian Book Distributors

About Abigail Wilson:

Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer fanatic, chai tea connoisseur, and writer of historical romantic suspense. On this site, you’ll find a small collection of what I love most—period drama, mystery, and heart—which are the same elements I piece together in my stories.

http://www.acwilsonbooks.com/

*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher but was not required to post a positive review.  All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Ever Faithful by Karen Barnett

Book Summary:

A man who can’t read will never amount to anything–or so Nate Webber believes. But he takes a chance to help his family by signing up for the new Civilian Conservation Corps, skirting the truth about certain “requirements.” Nate exchanges the harsh Brooklyn streets for the wilds of Yellowstone National Park, curious if the Eden-like wonderland can transform him as well.
Elsie Brookes was proud to grow up as a ranger’s daughter, but she longs for a future of her own. After four years serving as a maid in the park’s hotels, she still hasn’t saved enough money for her college tuition. A second job, teaching a crowd of rowdy men in the CCC camp, might be the answer, but when Elsie discovers Nate’s secret, it puts his job as camp foreman in jeopardy. Tutoring leads to friendship and romance, until a string of suspicious fires casts a dark shadow over their relationship. Can they find answers before all of their dreams go up in smoke?

 

My Thoughts:

Karen Barnett has once again expertly brought the atmosphere of Yellowstone to life in her latest Vintage National Parks novel, Ever Faithful.  This story is jam packed with true to the time period details and descriptions that really take the reader back in time to visit the park through this story.  Seemingly random accidents and disasters unexpectedly begin occurring in the park and the mystery behind these dangers keeps the reader guessing until the end!  Hints of mystery, elements of danger, and developing romances give this story appeal for a reader who likes more than just romance in a historical fiction read!

If you would like to purchase a copy of Ever Faithful or learn more about Karen Barnett, visit the links below!

Amazon: Ever Faithful

http://www.karenbarnettbooks.com/

*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher but was not required to post a positive review.  All opinions and thoughts are my own.

A Reluctant Bride by Jody Hedlund

Book Summary:

Living in London’s poorest slum, Mercy Wilkins has little hope of a better life. When she’s offered an opportunity to join a bride ship sailing to British Columbia, she agrees. After witnessing so much painful heartache and loss in the slums, the bride ship is her only prospect to escape a bleak future, not only for herself but, she hopes, someday for her sister.

Wealthy and titled Joseph Colville leaves home and takes to the sea in order to escape the pain of losing his family. As ship’s surgeon, he’s in charge of the passengers’ welfare aboard the Tynemouth, including sixty brides-to-be. He has no immediate intention of settling down, but when Mercy becomes his assistant, the two must fight against a forbidden love.

With hundreds of single men congregating on the shore eager to claim a bride from the Tynemouth, will Mercy and Joseph lose their chance at true love, or will they be able to overcome the obstacles that threaten to keep them apart?

 

My Thoughts:

Once again Jody Hedlund has spun a magnificent historical romance that draws you into the pages with a unique plot and characters that are impeccably written.  What an amazing start to a new series!   This book went above and beyond my expectations and I expected it to be good!  This story held my attention and tugged at my heart!  Mercy was such a likable character with such a generous and kind heart. I will be honest and say that the first part of the book was difficult for me to navigate due to the devastating poverty and home life that Mercy was accustom to living in.   However, reading about those things in the beginning of this story was absolutely necessary for understanding Mercy’s character and what shaped her into the person that she was. I appreciated her strength and her kindness so much more after reading about her life in London.  So many characters with hardships are bitter and hard to like and Mercy was the exact opposite.

The interactions between Mercy and Joseph were obviously my favorite parts of this book.  They were such a perfectly imperfect match, it just worked in spite of all the obstacles.  I really loved the friendship and working relationship that was created between Joseph and Mercy.  It was natural and genuine, which made their romance when it started to blossom all the more special.  I was really rooting for them in spite of all of their obstacles of class and circumstance.  I was heartbreaking to see them click in so many ways but know that their stations in life would prevent them from persuing a relationship.

This book definitely kept me on my toes a bit as far as these characters and where their relationship would end up.  This book gave me a variety of emotions but I was so satisfied with the conclusion.  I absolutely loved this book!  It was a rich and heartfelt story about Mercy’s journey to a new life and love!  I absolutely recommend picking this one up!  I think this series is bound to be one of my favorites and I cannot wait to see what the next book in the Bride Ships series has to offer!

 

If you would like to purchase a copy of A Reluctant Bride or learn more about Jody Hedlund, visit the links below!

Amazon: A Reluctant Bride

https://jodyhedlund.com/

*I was given copy of this book by the Publisher but was not required to post a positive review.  All opinions and thoughts are my own.

The Number of Love by Roseanna White

Welcome to the Blog Tour & Giveaway for The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White with JustRead Publicity Tours! Follow along with the tour for a special inside peek at how The Number of Love is connected to the author’s previous book from another series, A Song Unheard.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: The Number of Love
Series: Codebreakers #1
Author: Roseanna M. White
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: June 4, 2019
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance/Intrigue

Three years into the Great War, England’s greatest asset is their intelligence network—field agents risking their lives to gather information, and codebreakers able to crack every German telegram. Margot De Wilde thrives in the environment of the secretive Room 40, where she spends her days deciphering intercepted messages. But when her world is turned upside down by an unexpected loss, for the first time in her life numbers aren’t enough.

Drake Elton returns wounded from the field, followed by an enemy that just won’t give up. He’s smitten quickly by the too-intelligent Margot, but how to convince a girl who lives entirely in her mind that sometimes life’s answers lie in the heart?

Amidst biological warfare, encrypted letters, and a German spy who wants to destroy not just them, but others they love, Margot and Drake will have to work together to save them all from the very secrets that brought them together.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | ChristianBook

My Thoughts:

This book was captivating from start to finish!  I felt as thought there was never  dull moment and I didn’t want to put it down!  I absolutely loved Roseanna White’s previous series and The Number of Love has the same feel to it that her Shadows Over England series did!  Pop ins from previous characters are something that I love to see from authors and this book has several!  I won’t spoil who they are!

Margot’s character was impeccably written!  As a reader I really want to connect with characters and the way that Roseanna White has written her character was perfection.  Margot is a character to thinks differently than the average person, she reasons differently, and her process is unique to her.  The reader is completely able to connect with her, despite her quirks, because  of the glimpses into her thoughts!  Its completely interesting and so unique!  I loved Morgot!

Drake!  Sigh!  Drake!  He’s so sweet!  He’s so funny!  He is so perfect for Margot!  I adored the interactions between these two!  And their chemistry was subtle, but sweet!    The romance in this book is completely unique, but achingly perfect for their characters.

There are several nail biting moments in this book, understandably, as there is still a war going on.  While the characters may be insulated from the front lines of most of the fighting, there is still danger lurking and it surfaces in unexpected ways!  I will let you read for yourself!

Overall this book was amazing!  It was balanced well in plot, romance, and action!  I am so glad to have another creative and unique series awaiting us from Roseanna White and I cannot wait to see where the next book in the Codebreakers series takes us!

Have you checked out Roseanna White’s previous series?  Look below for info about A Song Unheard featuring several characters who appear in The Number of Love!

 

Title: A Song Unheard
Series: Shadows Over England #2
Author: Roseanna M. White
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: January 2, 2018
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance/Intrigue

Willa Forsythe is both a violin prodigy and top-notch thief, which make her the perfect choice for a crucial task at the outset of World War I—to steal a cypher from a famous violinist currently in Wales.

Lukas De Wilde has enjoyed the life of fame he’s won—until now, when being recognized nearly gets him killed. Everyone wants the key to his father’s work as a cryptologist. And Lukas fears that his mother and sister, who have vanished in the wake of the German invasion of Belgium, will pay the price. The only light he finds is in meeting the intriguing Willa Forsythe.

But danger presses in from every side, and Willa knows what Lukas doesn’t—that she must betray him and find that cypher, or her own family will pay the price as surely as his has.

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | ChristianBook

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself.

Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.

CONNECT WITH ROSEANNA: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

Grand Prize: Shadows Over England series, The Number of Love, and the Decrypto board game, plus “Mi Alma” necklace (Necklace is 24″ chain with a 1″ pendant that says “Mi Alma” Spanish for “My Soul”. A term of endearment used throughout the book. Handmade by Bookworm Mama)

(3) additional winners of The Number of Love.

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight June 3, 2019 and last through 11:59 pm June 17, 2019. US only. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

The Pink Bonnet by Liz Tolsma

Book Summary:

Widowed in Memphis during 1932, Cecile Dowd is struggling to provide for her three-year-old daughter. Unwittingly trusting a neighbor puts little Millie Mae into the clutches of Georgia Tann, corrupt Memphis Tennessee Children’s Home Society director suspected of the disappearance of hundreds of children. With the help of a sympathetic lawyer, the search for Millie uncovers a deep level of corruption that threatens their very lives.

How far will a mother go to find out what happened to her child?

 

My Thoughts:

The Pink Bonnet definitely delivered the eerie and frighting feels that I was expecting from this story.  There were moments of suspense and danger as Cecile struggled to track down her abducted daughter.  The villain of this story, Gerogia Tann was simply terrible.  She was written so perfectly heinous and chilling that it really made me loathe her and long for justice to be served.  The level of corruption uncovered as Cecile and Percy search for Millie is simply tragic and seemingly hopeless.  However, Cecile never gives up hope and refuses to quit searching and I felt like that was really admirable. The end of the book really picks up pace and is actually pretty intense, which was great!  I was happily satisfied with the conclusion of this book when all was said and done. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves a historical mystery or suspense novel.

If you would like to purchase a copy of The Pink Bonnet or learn more about the author, visit the links below!

Amazon: The Pink Bonnet

https://liztolsma.com/

 

*I was given a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing in exchange but was not required to post a review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.