Meeting Her Match

Author: Jen Turano

Series: The Matchmakers #3

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: July 16, 2024

An endearing and charming story that kept a smile on my face and my heart fluttering.

In a time when being married is everything to a young woman, Camilla Pierpont always thought that would be her future until heartache changed her mind and heart. An unfortunate turn of events finds her with a man helping her stay alive and eventually maybe finding love again. When Owen Chesterfield crosses paths with Camilla, his life goes in all the directions he never expected. When her life is in danger Owen finds himself in danger as well trying to keep those he cares about safe.

Meeting Her Match was a match made in heaven with these characters and the love they showed throughout the pages. I loved the whimsical romance between these characters when it seemed most unlikely. At times the story was a bit slow, historical romances tend to be that way at times for me. Owen was a fun protagonist along with Camilla and all they went through to try and find the happy ending they each deserved. This series brought about characters that were enjoyable to read and see what they could accomplish with the goals they had before them. I would recommend this series to those that enjoy historical romance and Turano’s style of writing.

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

Into the Starlight

Author: Amanda Cabot

Series: Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing #3

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: July 16, 2024

A look back in time with a whimsical story of life, love and so much more.

Joanna Vaughn wanted nothing more than to become a concert pianist in Europe, but those plans are dashed, and she returns to Sweetwater Crossing, Texas. Her husband’s passing after a short marriage is another stab in the heart to her as she tries to keep her head above water. Her childhood home no longer feels like home as she returns and tries to piece her life back together. Dr. Burke Finley is feeling like Joanna as his life seems to be falling apart when his fiancé leaves him for his partner. He goes with his almost-aunt, Della, to Sweetwater Crossing and what was supposed to be a short trip turns into an extended stay when he meets Joanna. The attraction between the two can’t be denied and the happy ever after they want may be harder to obtain than either of them would like.

Into the Starlight is a sweet romance that kept me on the edge of my seat rooting for Joanna to find the love she deserved after suffering such heartache early in her life. Burke also had heartache that he didn’t deserve and when he meets Joanna and the immediate attraction between them made my heart flutter. The setting and story kept my interest throughout and I was so happy with the way this series has played out. This is one that fans of the series and those that love historical romance will not want to miss.

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

The Hudson Collection

Author: Jocelyn Green

Series: On Central Park #2

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: June 4, 2024

Step back in time with this historical romance by a great writer who knows how to bring history alive.

Elsa Reisner has wanted to work for the American Museum of Natural History all her life and now she is finding out that it might not be what she expected. All her life she had a passion for ornithology and now her passion may be running out. When she is assigned to work on a catalog for a recently deceased patron of the museum, she discovers a mansion full of treasures and secrets. At the estate, she meets the gardener and her daughter and together they go on a treasure hunt like never before.

The Hudson Collection is a great addition to my Historical Fiction shelf. The way that Jocelyn Green has written these historical fiction novels has a way of pulling me into the past with the characters. Elsa was unique and intriguing with the mystery of the mansion she discovered. The characters in these books are developed in a way that makes it easy to connect with them and also to want to follow along in the romance they find themselves involved with. At times historical romance novels can drag but I didn’t feel like this one did, the story had a good pace and overall well-developed plot line to keep me interested. I would recommend this one to those that enjoy historical romance.

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

Born of Gilded Mountains

Author: Amanda Dykes

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: June 18, 2024

Amanda Dykes has a way of tugging at my heartstrings with the way she writes. So beautiful and thought provoking.

Set deep in the heart of the Colorado mountains is the town of Mercy Peak, a town full of tall tales and possible lost treasure. Mercy Windsor arrives in the town after leaving Hollywood as a leading lady and major scandal. Trying to leave behind the scandal, she is hoping this small town will help her find a new life. The life she is hoping for is harder to find with a dark history and more standing in her way.

This book was a good addition to my shelves and one I know I can recommend to others as an enjoyable read. I’ve read a lot of historical fiction lately and this one will be at the top of my list for that category this year. The beautiful setting and the mountains were perfect to pull me into the story and make me want to see them come out on the other side safe and happy. Mercy in Mercy was so great and I loved the mystery and intrigue that came with the town. There was so much tension with all the talk of lost treasure and haunting history which I loved. I recommend this book to those who love history, mystery and romance.

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

Rocky Mountain Journey

Author: Misty M. Beller

Series: Sisters of the Rockies #3

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: June 18, 2024

The third book in the Sisters of the Rockies series will take readers back to the Rockies and the Collins family.

Faith Collins goes looking for the man who helped save her father’s life, but in the search, she disguises herself as a man and goes with a group of trappers to help her on her quest. Grant Allen is also on a quest; he is looking for his brother who he hasn’t seen since his parent’s died years ago. He hears that his brother is in the Rockies and he doesn’t hesitate to head that way with a group of trappers. This is where he meets Faith and tries to figure out why she is pretending to be a man and with the group.

Of the three books in this series, this one has become my favorite. I loved the interactions between Faith and Grant. They were both great characters that had me invested in what they were trying to accomplish. The setting was also a plus, making me feel as if I was on my way to the Rockies with them. Fans of historical romance will fall in love with this family and the adventures they go on. I loved the way this story played out and the interactions between the protagonists kept me glued to the pages.

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

The Song of Sourwood Mountain

Author: Ann H. Gabhart

Publisher: Revell

Release Date: May 7, 2024

Ann H. Gabhart’s newest is like a hug from an old friend at just the right time.

Mira Dean has wanted nothing more than to become a wife and mother, but when her fiancé dies of tuberculosis, her hopes seem to be dashed. She works as a schoolteacher and one day a former student, Gordon Covington, shows up and is now a preacher. He wants Mira to come teach at his mission school and then asks her to marry him. Have her dreams come true? Is it all too good to be true?

Ann H. Gabhart has written a wide range of novels, historical fiction to romantic suspense and has had success with both. The romantic suspense is more my preferred genre but have also enjoyed her historical romance novels. This one was good but not great, the story itself flowed well but I had trouble connecting to the characters which took me out of the story and had a hard time getting back to it and wanting to continue. This is a good book for those that enjoy historical romance though.

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

For a Lifetime

Author: Gabrielle Meyer

Series: Timeless #3

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: May 7, 2024

This book, and series took me by surprise and I’m hoping readers will jump on board with this fantastic read.

Grace and Hope, identical twin sisters have a unique ability, they can cross between times and places. The two have been going back and forth between 1692 Salem, Massachusetts and 1912 New York City. But they are about to have to pick one and stay forever. When they are in 1692, they help their father in his tavern and try to solve their mother’s death that has been shrouded in mystery. In 1912, Hope works to become a pilot while Grace a journalist, not usual professions for women in that time. As they must choose which time to stay in and how to leave the other behind, the decision becomes harder than expected.

There was something about this series that spoke to me, maybe it was the time travel, maybe the twin aspect (I’m an identical twin), or maybe it was just the way the story was so well written. I loved the time slip, back and forth between time and locations and the way Meyer wrote the sisters and all they went through. I connected more with Hope than Grace but still had a connection to both of the girls and the struggles they faced going through life and time. This is a great series that makes the pages fly and will have readers engaged throughout. I love it when I can pick up a novel, especially one that isn’t my go-to genre like this, and be immediately engaged and connected to the characters. I would recommend this book to those that have read the series and want to continue to see it all play out.

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

With Each Tomorrow

Authors: Tracie Peterson & Kimberley Woodhouse

Series: The Jewels of Kalispell #2

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: May 21, 2024

When two of the best in Christian fiction get together, you are sure to get a novel that readers will devour in one sitting.

Since the death of her mother, Eleanor Briggs has been going across the country with her father and they now find themselves at Glacier National Park. Her father is a conservationist and Eleanor helps him with his work but what she really wants to do is settle down and write. When she meets Carter Brunswick, there is immediate attraction and the future both of them imagined changes quickly. But they are both in for hard going with tension over the railroad and their families.

When Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse get together to write, I know it is going to be a great story. Independently they are great at what they do, together they bring the best of their independent styles and make a great historical fiction novel. While this isn’t my favorite genre to read, it is one I pick up when I know the writing is going to be top-notch. I am happy to say that this is a story that this is a story that readers that enjoy historical fiction will not want to miss.

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

The Sisters of Corinth

Author: Angela Hunt

Series: The Emissaries #2

Publisher: Bethany House

Release Date: May 21, 2024

Another sure fire hit from the queen of biblical fiction.

The city of Corinth has a new governor and the Chief Magistrate. Narkis Ligus is excited for the opportunity to get one of his daughters united in marriage and elevate his family status. His plans don’t go as hoped when Mariana doesn’t want to marry a man devoted to the Roman gods with her faith in Yeshua. Prima, Mariana’s sister, is willing to betray her sister and follow the path their father has set for them. A marriage could be great for the family but not their faith and is a hard decision for all of them to make.

Angela Hunt is my go-to when I want a great historical, biblical fiction novel. The way she writes these characters and all they go through puts the reader right there in the thick of the action. Bringing biblical characters to life is hard, many writers have tried and not had the success that Hunt and few others do. I am happy to say that this book lived up to my expectations of what I have come to know and love from Hunt’s writing. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a clean, thrilling story with biblical characters and a storyline they will love.

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

Serabelle

Author: Tavi Taylor Black

Publisher: Black Rose Writing

Release Date: April 24, 2024

Good premise, but felt disjointed throughout the story.

Mabel Rae was born into servanthood, but always felt greater aspirations. Not an easy thing to accomplish in the early 1900s between class and gender. When she becomes of age, she takes on a position as a maid in an upscale estate in Bar Harbor, Maine. She begins her career in defiance by going up to the main house, where the butler quickly sends her to the servants quarters. When he receives attention from the master of the house, she gives in quickly and dreams of becoming the lady of the manor. But when she discovers she is pregnant, she learns the hard truth of her life and her social class.

I really felt that this book had a great premise and was excited to read something different. However, the story took several different pathways throughout and sometimes felt disjointed when reading between the different characters. It did make me do some fact checking and seemed to be pretty accurate overall for the time period. The setting was the best part of the whole book and carried most of the story for me.

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