When Stars Light the Sky by Elizabeth Camden ~ a book review

 

This story begins in New York City in 1898. Inga and her immigrant family from Bavaria, have been robbed and swindled hours after leaving Ellis Island. They take refuge inside a church where they are befriended by a very well-to-do couple.

The story then jumps ahead to 1914. Her parents have died and Inga has been working as a wireless operator. The couple, the Gerard’s, that had helped her family in the church have taken her under their wings. Mr. Gerard has become the ambassador to Germany. He employs her as his secretary and they move to Germany. Mr. Gerard is not liked by his staff and especially Benedict Kincaid, his chief diplomatic counselor.  Inga’s Bavarian ancestry gives her an understanding of the culture that the Gerard’s have found challenging. Benedict doesn’t trust her and doesn’t want her involved. While the Gerard’s are living in Germany, war is declared. It is discovered that Inga has never attained her American citizenship and there is a very real possibility that she will not be allowed to leave Germany.  In order to get around that, she and Benedict enter into a marriage of convenience. As the wife of an American citizen, she is able to obtain passage out of the country. During the dangerous escape out of Germany, they begin to recognize they have feelings for each other. However, Benedict has his heart set on becoming an ambassador but Inga has no interest in leaving America again. Will they acknowledge their feelings for each other? Will they be able to have a life together?

This book is based on the real life memoirs of Mr. Gerard and deals with international diplomacy, pre WW1 tensions, and politics.

Elizabeth Camden’s books are always entertaining but while this one is a clean romance, it  includes references to intimacies that some may find too intense. The element of faith is not overly prevelant.

This is from the publisher’s website:

“In a world on the brink of war, two hearts must navigate shadows of uncertainty.

Inga Klein's carefree life in New York takes a dramatic turn when she sails for Berlin, Germany, to serve as the secretary for America's ambassador. Amid the glamour of life at the embassy, she continually finds herself at odds with the straitlaced and imposing Benedict Kincaid, the diplomatic chief of staff who harbors deep misgivings toward the German-born Inga.

As Europe hurtles toward World War I, Benedict's determination to keep America out of the conflict adds to the already tense atmosphere. Despite their relentless sparring, Inga and Benedict succeed in keeping the embassy afloat through one crisis after another. But when they run out of diplomatic options, a marriage of convenience may be Inga's only hope of escape from the impending war.”

Go HERE to read an excerpt 

Go HERE to learn more about Elizabeth Camden and her books 

 

 

 

I received a complimentary ARC** of this book from the Bethany House and Baker Publishing via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed  are my own.

**A word about ARC books.   Advanced Reading Copies (ARCs) are a preview copy and are not a finished product. They may differ from the final published work and may include additional editing. My reviews may include some things that vary from the final published book.

 

When the Avalanche Roared by Lauralee Bliss ~ a book review

 

 

This is another offering from Barbour Publishing’s Days to Remember series.  This one continues the precedent set by the other stories.  Suspenseful and tragic circumstances that test the characters’ strength and faith.  These stories are all based on actual events which adds an element of believability.

This story is set in the state of Washington in 1909. Pampered Lillian has traveled to the railroad town of Wellington to help her cousin who is preparing for her first baby. While she’s there, she also helps out in the post office. She is accustomed to having maids and servants and the lifestyle change is eye opening for her as she has to become more independent. She becomes friends with Griffin, an illiterate railroad worker whose faith helps him endure the harsh weather and living conditions and the heartless taunts from his co-workers. 

One morning in 1910, the snowstorms and ice buildup cause a devastating avalanche, taking with it two trains, several buildings and many people.  Lillian and Griffin work together, trying to rescue and care for the survivors. Even though Lillian is engaged to a man who is successful in the timber business, she begins to have feelings for Griffin.

This is a story of tragedy and sadness and the aftermath of disasters. It’s also about the power of faith and prayer.  It deals with the stereotype of literacy, the role of women in society, the contrast between the worker and management, and barriers between the wealthy and the poor.

The characters are well developed and engaging and the suspenseful story line will draw you in.

This is from the publisher’s website:

“The Day Hope Seemed Swept Away
 
Enjoy a series of 6 exciting novels featuring historic disasters that transformed landscapes and multiple lives. Whether by nature or by man, these disasters changed history and were a day to be remembered.
 
Lillian Hartwick has been in the small railroad town of Wellington, Washington, caring for her cousin and assisting the postmaster when February snows bring all train traffic to a halt. Slow-witted but kind Griffin Jones, who works odd jobs for the railway while enduring taunts from other workers, has tried his best to gain Lillian’s interest, but she is engaged and waiting her fiancé’s arrival from California. Predawn thunderstorms on Tuesday, March 1, 1910, trigger a devasting avalanche, sweeping two trains down Stevens Pass. Lillian and Griffin work together to help survivors, including Griffin’s tormentors. In the midst of the catastrophe their feelings for each other grow. But is it enough when Lillian’s fiancé finally arrives in the spring, ready to claim her as his own?”

This is the third book in the series that I have read. I look forward to reading the remaining stories.

Go HERE to read an excerpt

 

I received a complimentary ARC** of this book from Barbour Publishing via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed  are my own.

**A word about ARC books.   Advanced Reading Copies (ARCs) are a preview copy and are not a finished product. They may differ from the final published work and may include additional editing. My reviews may include some things that vary from the final published book.

The Seaside Homecoming by Julie Klassen ~ a book review

 

 

This story begins in Scotland in 1820. Claire Summers has been disowned and ‘shunned’ by her family and is living with a bedridden great aunt as a companion and caregiver. When her great aunt dies, Claire is left with little money and no prospects.  On an impulse, she uses all her money to buy into a partnership of a boarding house in the same town that her mother and sisters live.  They also own a boarding house.  Her new partner, Mr. Hammond, is a widower with a small daughter who has a nanny from India, His late wife was also from India. The author deals with the elements of prejudice and class systems.  The topics of dysfunctional families and blended families is prominent.

I really liked this book for the engaging, believable characters and her style of writing that is both entertaining and easy to read. 

This is from the publisher's website:

"A surprise homecoming tests the bonds of sisterhood as a hidden past comes to light . . .

Disgraced eldest sister Claire Summers has been living in exile as companion to a stern great-aunt in Scotland. About to lose her place and longing to be reconciled with her estranged family, Claire sees an advertisement from someone looking for a "respectable female partner" in a Sidmouth boarding house. Is it a sign? She answers the ad, hoping she has not made another reckless mistake. When she meets the handsome, secretive proprietor, she wonders what he's hiding and if he's any more trustworthy than the nobleman who betrayed her years ago. Claire is drawn to him even though she fears he will reject her when he discovers her genteel façade hides a less-than-respectable past.

Meanwhile, the Summers family learns their great-aunt has died and Claire has disappeared without a word. The sisters rally together to find their lost sibling, but will their unexpected reunion heal old wounds and rekindle their bonds . . . or deepen the divide?

Return to the captivating Devonshire coast as the Summers sisters navigate romance, second chances, and the enduring strength of sisterhood in the face of adversity."

If you like reading historical faith based romance with elements of redemption, forgiveness and restoration, you will love this book.  There is also a thread of mystery that keeps you guessing. What did Claire do to get her banished?  Why is Mr. Hammond so secretive about his past? What are all the ‘hush-hush’ meetings about? Will Claire ever be forgiven and embraced by her family? There is also a surprising circumstance involving the late great aunt.

This is book three of the On Devonshire Shores series. 

Go HERE to read an excerpt 

Go HERE to learn more about Julie Klassen and her books 

 

 

 

 I received a complimentary ARC** of this book from Bethany House via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed  are my own.

**A word about ARC books.   Advanced Reading Copies (ARCs) are a preview copy and are not a finished product. They may differ from the final published work and may include additional editing. My reviews may include some things that vary from the final published book.