A Moonbow Night

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: January 3, 2017

Rating: 4 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Step back into prerevolutionary Kentucke with a tale befitting Daniel Boone himself.

Temperance Tucker has always been smart living out in the Kentucke wilderness with her family. She’s a good shot and quiet as a mouse when out and about in the woods. In fact, people only hear her if she wants to be heard. But she has had her share of family tragedy with her father’s expulsion from Virginia and her own romance’s tragic end. She is content with being at the family home of the Moonbow Inn which has the occasional traveler, mostly surveyors and such. But when Sion Morgan appears in the wilderness one day, she starts to see more to the man than meets the eye. He too has had his share of tragedy in the wilderness, but is now content being a surveyor partner with a map maker for the King. But when the local natives start to close in around their establishments to get them out of the land, can any type of romance succeed? More importantly, will anybody live through it?

Throughout much of this book I found myself drifting back to Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper. Partly because of when it is set, but also just the dynamic between the characters. This one was interesting because of the Kentucky frontier and how everything tied into Daniel Boone. I love it when a story makes me go do my own research to compare the facts to the fiction. Frantz did a great job with the back story of the murder of James Boone and how that tied into Tempe’s life. The scene where Five Killer has captured Sion’s survey team and is leading them back to hack to his camp really paralleled the final scene in Last of the Mohicans as well. I’d say that the author is a fan of this time period and probably of all of The Leatherstocking Tales as well.

If this era of time is of you interest, I highly recommend this book. If you are just a fan of historical fiction, give this one a try as well. Well done.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Say Goodbye for Now

say-goodbye-for-now Author: Catherine Ryan Hyde

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Release Date: December 13, 2016

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Small towns and the wrong kind of relationships are the perfect mix for the right kind of story.

Dr. Lucy has given up her medical practice after extenuating circumstances and now focuses her time on helping the animals in need around her. However, she still occasionally takes in a client in trouble to help pay the bills. She doesn’t ask what kind of trouble they are in and they don’t tell. It also helps her keep to herself. It’s 1959 and no one wants a woman doctor and they also don’t want anyone of color mixing with the whites in town. Calvin and Justin Bell have just arrived and their dark skin makes them stick out and not in a good way. Dr. Lucy meets Pete Solomon when he brings a wounded wolf-dog to her for help. He is twelve years old and has been living with his dad, their relationship is not good. When Lucy shows him even the slightest affection he doesn’t know what to do with it. Pete and Justin quickly become friends and Calvin and Lucy’s own relationship heats up as well. It doesn’t take long for the town to turn against them. Calvin and Justin know it isn’t safe to stay in Texas and head back north. They all stay in touch and hope that one day they will be able to get closer than they are currently allowed.

Even though this story is set back in 1959, with today’s current events, it could easily be set in present day. There is so much hate in the world it keeps making me think that if we don’t learn from the past we are doomed to repeat it. Catherine Ryan Hyde did an outstanding job crafting a story that with characters that are believable with conflicts that made the tension fly off the page. The way she made these characters, especially Pete, come alive really impressed me. It has to be some of the best character crafting I have seen in a very long time. Normally, to me, this wouldn’t be the type of book that kept the pages turning quickly but somehow that is just what happened. He was the best character to connect with but the rest made the story truly great. It dealt with some very tough issues, especially when you think of the time it is set in. But even today we are dealing with such issues of hate that the story will be very relevant and can make an impact with readers. It is not a story for an immature audience, but will be great for its intended readers.

The Gates of Hell

the-gates-of-hell Author: Michael Livingston

Series: The Shards of Heaven #2

Publisher: Tor

Release Date: November 15, 2016

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Livingston’s second shard novel is even better than the first!

Time has moved on. Augustus Caesar has had his triumph over Cleopatra and Mark Anthony. Their daughter Cleopatra Selene has been wed to Juba II as a show of triumph for Juba, even though he wants nothing to do with his adopted brother Octavian. Fortunately, Selene and Juba fall in love with each other making their union a blessed one. However, prior to the wedding, in an effort to thwart Octavian, Selene convinced Tiberius to sneak her into the Temple of the Vestal Virgins to recover a statue that had been taken, but she was actually after a shard from heaven. Once she touched it, she managed to use its power, but ended up creating many questions from Tiberius. Together can she and Juba manage to stay away from using this power to destroy Rome?

Meanwhile in Alexandria, Lucius Vorenus has returned to seek out his old friend Didymus to discuss the possibility that the Ark of the Covenant is losing its power. After the meeting, he is targeted by a group of people who overhead about who he is and what he has. The attempt fails and he is reunited with an old friend that the thought dead. Together they travel to the Island of Elephantine where the Ark is currently being housed and protected by Caesarian and Hannah. When they learn of the breach, they decide that it may be best to move the Ark. Unfortunately, Kush decides to attack Rome at this time and burn the Island of Elephantine. Can they manage to get away with the Ark before it is too late?

If you enjoyed the first novel in the series, then you will love the continuation. This book really dives more into Selene and Juba’s relationship and the potential power that the two of them have with the shards they have collected. Octavian has also taken on more of a melancholy role, but his stepson Tiberius reprises the role of villain throughout portions of the story. I was very excited to read this novel and I couldn’t find time to stop until I had it finished.

The book follows four main story lines: Selene and Juba, Vorenus, Caesarian and Hannah, and Thysallus. Each is somehow connected to the shards and/or the Ark (which is technically a shard as well). One of the things I love most about this series is how Livingston is blending history as well as fantasy. There are times that I have to go back and read up on a particular event to see how it parallels to the book. Granted, I also love the fantasy part as well. Without the shards of heaven, it would just be a good story. With the shards, it is a great story!

There is some mild language in one or two places as well as a rape scene. I would recommend this book for mature YA readers up to adults.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

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Madame Presidentess

madame-presidentess Author: Nicole Evelina

Publisher: Lawson Gartner Printing

Release Date: July 25, 2016

Rating: 4 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Think Hillary’s the first woman to run for president? Think again!

Victoria Woodhull always believed that she had a destiny. After all, the spirits had spoken it to her. Born and raised in poverty, she learned the art of seeking the spirits and fortune telling from her mother. Both her parents were con artists in the 1850s and even had Victoria and her younger sister Tennie participate as spirit seekers until Victoria became so exhausted that she almost died. She then met a young doctor named Canning Woodhull who helped nurse her back to health and then married her. Turned out he was a bit of a con artists as well. Then in the late 1960s, she was presented to Mr. Cornelius Vanderbilt for her spiritual services. Through this relationship, she became quite adept at the stock market and even opened her own brokerage firm with her sister. To say the least, it was a bit of a scandal to have a woman owned investment firm on Wall Street in that day. Eventually, Victoria became caught up in the woman’s suffrage movement and was nominated to run for President against an incumbent Ulysses S. Grant. As fate would have it, she became a bit of her own undoing and become known as Mrs. Satan for her views of free love and spirituality. She even wrote an article about the affair of clergyman Henry Ward Beecher for which she was arrested and spent the Election Day in a cell (sounds almost like this could happen today), but still had voters turn out for her. Unfortunately, there has been very little credited to her work and has primarily been excluded from the history books.

I admit that I fall into the category that most probably do in that I had no idea of the history of Victoria Woodhull. I have heard of Susan B. Anthony and several of the other characters included in this book, but not of Victoria herself. Evelina spins a very interesting and well-read tale of her life that includes all of the high (and low) points of her career. She also did a great job of spinning her viewpoints of her platform that could be understood in today’s terms. I often say that history repeats itself, which is why it is so important that we have works that focus on history. Without authors that are willing to research a subject that had significance, but didn’t make the history book cut or was willing blotted out to serve some sort of political action committees cause, we would continue to make the same decisions and possible mistakes over and over again. For those who aren’t huge fans of biographies, this is more of a tale that will be much easier read. Even so, I suggest you do research on Victoria Woodhull independently just to satisfy your curiosity.

There are several sexual references throughout, some which include some mild to strong dialogue that will be uncomfortable for some. There is also some mild language and profanity throughout. I recommend this book to mature readers on the subject matter.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Chaos Comes to Longbourn

chaos-comes-to-lonbourn Author: Victoria Kincaid

Publisher: Victoria Kincaid

Release Date: July 2, 2016

Rating: 3 1/2 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

If you love Pride and Prejudice and what might have beens, this is the books for you.

Mr. Darcy has been wrestling with his sudden thoughts about Elizabeth Bennett. In an effort to rid himself of the thoughts and the ball he is in attendance at, he decides to retreat to the library where he stumbles upon Elizabeth’s 15 year old sister Lydia, who is only partially dressed after she had been in a love session with someone else. When others arrive, Mr. Darcy is mistaken as an attacker and has no choice but to propose marriage. In an effort to ensure his friend Mr. Bingley doesn’t meet the same fate from Elizabeth’s older sister Jane, Mr. Bingley’s sisters talk him into leaving without the intention of returning. This greatly saddens Jane (and Mr. Bingley), but he leaves anyway. Soon Mr. Collins comes to call on a wife and selects Elizabeth, who promptly turns him down. He then turns to Jane, who no longer has any prospects, agrees to the marriage in a effort to save her family’s home.

Upon arriving home, Mr. Bingley learns that his mother is very ill and will likely not live long. She had hoped to meet the young Bennet girl he had wrote to her about and was even hoping they may already be married. Mr. Bingley tells his mother they are engaged and quickly returns to Longbourn to beg forgiveness of Jane and hopefully propose. Once he arrives, he finds out that she is now betrothed to Mr. Collins. He suddenly gets an idea that maybe he can propose to another Bennett girl in the meantime and after hearing his plan, Elizabeth agrees.

In a love rectangle gone mad, all four couples should never have been together. In fact, only three of the final couples are right for each other. The last couple are both insufferable. Even so, in the end, each gets their own. This was a fun, quick read that had some much play on the original Jane Austen story Pride and Prejudice. The characters all reminded me of the actual book, but some may have been a bit stuffier and more arrogant, if that is possible. For people that enjoy the what might have been, this will be a great book to read. Even if you haven’t read Pride and Prejudice, it is still worth it to pick it up and get a laugh.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Poetic Book Tours. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Child of the River

child-of-the-river Author: Irma Joubert

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Release Date: October 18, 2016

Rating: 5 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Joubert’s stories open my eyes to parts of history I’ve never explored! Child of the River is no exception and I love the historical accuracy she brings to the table!

Persomi is a poor, white sharecropper living within the bushveld of South Africa. Her father is a drunk who beats the kids and her ma, who is one day taken away by the police for having an improper relationship with her older sister. The welfare officers also take her two youngest siblings away as one is sick and the baby doesn’t have enough food to eat. But they recognize that Persomi is clever and work to get her accepted to a boarding school to advance her studies rather than staying at the farm. As she attends high school during World War II, she begins to learn about politics throughout South Africa. The current prime minister is an English sympathizer, something that many throughout the country do not share. When the change in power comes in the country, so do many laws restricting the rights of non-white people throughout the country. Persomi has been friends with some Indian shop keepers in her town and believes that this is not right. After all, they’ve had the land since before 1900.

Persomi gets accepted into the university and earns her law degree. She gets established back in her hometown at the firm of De Vos and De Vos, where she suddenly finds herself with a case to try and circumvent the law that forces non-whites to relocate their homes, schools, and businesses out of an area that has been zoned for whites. As she works this case, she makes many discoveries that affect not only her career, but her life as well.

I absolutely love reading Irma Joubert’s stories because they are so historically accurate. Further, she opens my mind to histories that I’ve never explored, particularly about South Africa. I really enjoyed The Girl from the Train and it led me in direction that I didn’t think it would. Similarly, I thought this book was going to focus on World War II more, but it really didn’t spend much time on that event. It really delved more into the South African politics during and after the war, which in itself was really interesting. Joubert also makes me do research throughout the novel to find out more about the events she is writing about. Thankfully she started the book with a glossary for South African words and phrases or I would have had to spend even more time on the research, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Joubert also has the ability to really bring her central character to life and have the reader enter into a very personal relationship with her. I felt like I had known Persomi my entire life, but as a true friend, not as an outsider who would see her as a sharecropper’s child. It takes a lot of skill to create this relationship and she does a great job.

As with The Girl from the Train, this novel has tremendous scenery creations that take the reader to different parts of South Africa. I could see Persomi’s mountain, feel the sand blowing down the main street, and sit in the cave with Persomi and Boelie.

I recommend this book for lovers of historical fiction as well as those who just love a great story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Mattie’s Pledge

matties-pledge Author: Jan Drexler

Series: Journey to Pleasant Prairie #2

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: September 20, 2016

Reviewer: Jennifer S. Roman

Mattie Schrock and her family are on an expedition west to Indiana with two other Amish families in hopes of joining a new settlement there. Their current settlement is questioning Amish ruling and being more lenient about the ways of life, which is not sitting well with their beliefs. Mattie is thrilled that her childhood friends, whom she hasn’t seen in about ten years, are part of the journey. She is especially excited that Jacob Yoder is part of the group; she had a special connection to him years ago and still has feelings for him. Of course there are some causes for concern during this trip: Jacob’s mother, who is pregnant, is having complications from the pregnancy; a trio of horse thieves with Cole Bates as the leader follows the group to try to steal the Amish horses while Cole tries to steal Mattie’s heart.

The caravan starts in Brothers Valley, Pennsylvania, and works its way West to Indiana, where the group hopes to join a tiny Amish community already there. The group leaves in April and finds many adventures along the way; the early spring weather is wet and muddy, so wagons frequently get stuck in ruts. The sheep they are herding along with them want to veer off the path to find the fresh greenery before dropping the year’s lambs. Each wagon has to cross the swollen and dangerous rivers on rafts, risking tipping over and losing everything, including lives. The horse thieves are interested in the beautiful Amish horses, and additionally, Cole tries to win Mattie’s heart. He keeps tempting Mattie, who wants to head all the way west to Oregon, to run away with him and start a new life far away from her friends and family. As the group crosses dangerous and mosquito-infested swampland, the situation comes to a head. Mattie has made a promise to Jacob to consider his marriage proposal, but will she keep it?

Jan Drexler does a great job of describing the land and the people of the story; there is a brief mention on the author’s page about how she has followed the route that the Amish families took back in the 1840s. Because of this, she knows what encounters they likely had and how they had to overcome obstacles. Her ability to describe personalities and situations allows for the reader to conjure up everything as it takes place. I have read several Amish-themed books before, so I am familiar with a lot of their lifestyle and beliefs, but she is able to create a world that anyone who is not familiar with the Amish can understand. Her thoroughness in researching the travels of these people helps to bring the story to life.

Because this book is written in a time when traveling was a hardship, some events may appear harsh to readers. The horse thieves are violent and have no issue with killing someone who gets in the way. Compared to things shown on television today, however, they will appear mild. There is a slight bit of profanity throughout the book, but nothing overly offensive. For these reasons, I recommend the book for mature readers. Those who love stories about the Amish, a good historical novel, or a sweet romance will enjoy Mattie’s Pledge.

Beulah’s House of Prayer

beulahs-house-of-prayer Author: Cynthia A. Graham

Publisher: Smashwords Edition

Release Date: July 12, 2016

Rating: 4 1/2 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Fans of the dust bowl history are sure to enjoy this contemporary read set in 1934 Barmy, Oklahoma.

When fifteen year old Sugar Watson sets foot off the train in Barmy, Oklahoma, she knew she had to leave as soon as possible. She didn’t even knew this town existed. As a circus performer, she had been to some Podunk towns, but this was possibly the worst of all. With no money and her dead father to bury, she had nowhere to go. She wasn’t weak, she had been taught to use everyone to her advantage. Then she met Beulah Clinton. She drove up in her ox drawn wagon and gave Sugar a ride and a place to stay as long as she did her chores.

Soon she meets Homer Guppy, referred to as the devil himself from Beulah. Homer has had a rough upbringing since his mother left and now his father beats on him daily. So Homer has turned to car thieving, arson, and several other destructive means as an outlet. He is convince that Beulah has money buried somewhere out in the yard and spends his nightly hours digging around. He and Sugar soon make an unlikely pair as they work together to try to find the money. Sugar knows that as soon as she does she will be back on the train to Chicago. Only one problem, she may be falling for Homer and if she does, will she ever leave Barmy, Oklahoma?

Cynthia Graham never ceases to grab your attention with a new story and this is no exception. She manages to bring characters together in a master tale that makes you wish is was twice as long. Narrated by the oldest daughter of Homer and Sugar, Beulah’s House of Prayer is a collection of Sugar’s memories from her first year in Barmy, Oklahoma during 1934 and 1945. There is not as much historical content of the dust bowl as some other novels of the area include, but focuses more on the two main characters and their story. Graham even includes a bit of mystery in there with Beulah’s story, but it all flows smoothly. Exciting and entertaining at its best.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from TLC Book Tours in exchange for an honest and thorough review. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

Fifth Column

fifth-column Author: Mike Hollow

Series: The Blitz Detective #2

Publisher: Kregel Books

Release Date: July 27, 2016

Rating: 4 1/2 Stars

Reviewer: Jessica Higgins

Twist, turns, and tumultuous murder all during the London Blitz!

Detective John Jago is called out early one morning to come investigate a body found after an air raid. As there are usually several bodies found after a night of the blitz, Jago wonders why he has been called out as they usually aren’t his territory. However, this body appeared on the site after the bomb restoration crew had already cleared the site. As DI Jago and his sidekick DC Craddick begin to investigate, they find that the victim worked for an engineering company that was working on secret government projects. Further investigation leads them to some past shady characters as well as family drama. But who would have wanted her dead? And why?

If you enjoy historical British murder mystery writing, then this is sure to be a hit with you. Even as a second in a series, this one easily stands alone without need of the first book. There were some references to the past book, but this one really centered on the case presented for this book. However, don’t let that stop you from reading the first book as well.

The characters presented in this book are really interesting. DI Jago is the main character who has compartmentalized his emotions for several years. However, he starts to see this unravel with his feelings for Dorothy. The banter between Jago and Craddick is clever as ever. I couldn’t get enough of it. And all of the supporting characters really brought the story together great. Each one fit in their own place and it was very easy to see them in my mind’s eye, even with little physical description.

I’m a huge fan of WWII era fiction and this was no disappointment. Be sure to pick up a copy of this one!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kregel Book Tours in exchange for an honest and thorough review. The opinions and views expressed within are my own.

Saffire

saffire Author: Sigmund Brouwer

Publisher: Waterbrook Press

Release Date: August 16, 2016

Reviewer: Jennifer S. Roman

Panama in the early 1900s is a flurry of activity after the United States starts building a canal there. It will connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and will provide strategic military positioning for the US. Work is hot and backbreaking as teams of laborers complete this historic undertaking. James Holt, rancher from the unsettled US Dakotas territories and former Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show entertainer, is called to investigate some people and questionable actions in the Culebra area of the Canal. He plans to stay one or two nights and then head back home to his daughter in the Dakotas, but a series of strange events keeps him there longer than anticipated. The most intriguing and compelling event comes in the form of Saffire, an orphaned young woman who appears at the administrative building every week to ask someone to look into her mother’s mysterious disappearance. Every week, she is turned away. Undeterred, however, Saffire turns to Mr. Holt. While doing his other work, he promises to look into her mother’s disappearance. His promise quickly turns into a dangerous situation as he is beaten, shocked, and almost poisoned to death in his quest to learn the truth.

The story unfolds as James learns the lay of the land and tries to figure out what he is doing here and why he doesn’t just turn around and go home. More importantly, he tries to understand why a lowly rancher from the Dakotas is summoned to Panama to investigate something that could be handled internally. Along the way, he meets several government employees who bring credence to the oxymoron of “government efficiency.” He socializes with a German adventurer out for a great tall tale and a local woman who, despite being wealthy, spends her time helping pregnant prostitutes set up a new life for themselves. He runs into Saffire here and there and sees how well-regarded and highly disliked she is at the same time. His search for the truth leads him into some interesting and incredibly dangerous situations, where his stubbornness proves to be a double-edged sword.

This is one of those books that takes a while to develop, but stay with it. I was about halfway through the book, wondering where it was going, when I finally saw it unravel into a fun yet dangerous adventure. Having the background knowledge presented from the first part of the book helps me to understand the second part, and while it seemed somewhat slow at first, it makes up for it later. The history of the characters and even of the country come to light in fascinating illumination, and the story picks up pace considerably. Characters develop and storylines tie together to create a magnificent book that highlights a historical event that not many people fully comprehend. The distinction between poverty and wealth is clearly demonstrated in Panama, highlighting government interference in every part of life.

This book is well-written and the characters were developed over time to create a world that could easily be envisioned. Scenes played vividly in my mind as I read them, and I had no trouble conjuring up the actions as they played out. The story itself, as mentioned before, takes a while to unfold, but the rewards are for those who stick with it. Readers of historical fiction and adventures should be happy with this book.

Saffire takes place in 1909 in Panama, where laborers work, eat, sleep, and repeat. Accidents are common and people die from horrific workplace tragedies, demonstrating the harsh conditions common in the time and place. Additionally, the government and wealthy people were frequently corrupt, and anyone who interfered was tortured, killed, or both. These acts are portrayed in the book to demonstrate the harshness of life. For these reasons, I recommend the book for mature readers.