A Dance in Donegal by Jennifwe Deibel - a book review

          

This historical romance is set in Ireland in the early 1900’s.  The author does a great job bringing the Irish countryside to life.  The story begins with a young girl’s journey to her mother’s homeland, from America.  The Irish language and customs are all strange and unfamiliar to her.  She relies on her faith to see her through the many trials and hardships she encounters.  There is a thread of mystery woven throughout that will keep the reader guessing.  There is also a very sweet romance that develops.  The author portrays the main characters as strong in their faith but also products of historical superstitions.  That was hard for me to balance and something the main character, Moira, has a hard time accepting.

There is a map and a glossary included which I always find extremely helpful.

              

 

  This is from the publisher’s website:

“All her life, Boston-born Moira Doherty has relished her mother's descriptions of the Emerald Isle. When her mother dies unexpectedly in the summer of 1920, Moira is compelled to fulfill her dying wish--that she become the teacher in Ballymann, the beloved village in Donegal, Ireland, she's heard so much about.

After an arduous voyage, Moira begins a challenging new job in an unfamiliar and ancient country. Though a few locals offer a warm welcome, others are distanced by superstition and suspicion. Rumors about Moira's mother are unspoken in her presence but threaten to derail everything she's journeyed to Ballymann to do. Moira must rely on the kindness of a handful of friends--and the strength of Sean, an unsettlingly handsome thatcher who keeps popping up unannounced--as she seeks to navigate a life she'd never dreamed of . . . but perhaps was meant to live.”

Anyone who loves Christian, historical romance will love this book !!

GO HERE to read an excerpt

Read more about the author HERE

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and Baker
Publishing Group through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

 

 

 

Tidewater Bride by Laura Frantz - a book review

 

Laura Frantz transports us back to the very beginnings of our country, before we were a country.  She uses vivid imagery and descriptive language to take us back to the early settlement of James Towne.  Her use of the words, expressions and language that might have been used at that time help the reader to be a part of the story.  My only complaint would be that at times it seems like she assumes we know the meanings of certain terms and expressions.

As I said , the story is set in old James Towne in 1634.  Because of the harsh environment, clashes with the native Indians and illnesses, there were considerably more men than women so women were transported there as ‘tobacco brides’  Their passages were paid by tobacco farmers in need of wives.

Selah Hopewell is in charge of keeping track of the women until they marry.  She has no obvious desire to get married herself.  She seems content helping her father run his merchant business.

Xander Renick is one of the settlement’s prosperous tobacco plantation owners.  At a time when the slave trade is just beginning, he vows never to own any.  He has a unique relationship with the neighboring Indian tribe as he had married one of their ‘princesses’.   Both of these things make him a target.

The author has obviously done a lot of research in the history of the times and of the early settlements which makes this story very interesting for those of us who like reading historical novels.

This is from the publisher’s website:

“They're both too busy for love . . . but love is not too busy for them

Selah Hopewell seems to be the only woman in Virginia Colony who has no wish to wed. True, there are too many men and far too few women in James Towne. But Selah already has her hands full assisting her father in the family's shop. And now she is in charge of an incoming ship of tobacco brides who must be looked after as they sort through their many suitors.

Xander Renick is perhaps the most eligible tobacco lord in the settlement. His lands are vast, his crops are prized, and his position as a mediator between the colonists and the powerful Powhatan nation surrounding them makes him indispensable. But Xander is already wedded to his business and still grieves the loss of his wife.

Can two fiercely independent people find happiness and fulfillment on their own? Or will they discover that what they've been missing in life has been right in front of them all along?”

I would love to have seen a map of the area and a glossary but that’s just my preference. 

Christian faith is woven throughout the story but not in a preachy way. 

It is a very enjoyable, clean, historical romance.

Go HERE to read an excerpt 

Go HERE to learn more about Laura Frantz and her books

 

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and Baker
Publishing Group through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

 

Nothing Short of Wondrous by Regina Scott - a book review

I really liked this story.  It is full of humor, history and interesting facts.  The story is set in the late 1800’s and most of the action takes place in the newly designated Yellowstone Park.  The author does a great job of merging the actual history of the park and the fictional story.  There are several interesting characters and she really brings them to life.  The main characters are Will, a soldier assigned to patrol the park and Kate, a widow with a young son , who runs one of the hotels in the park.  Kate makes a deal with Will to help him patrol and show him the dangerous areas. In turn, he will do odd jobs around the hotel.  The author used the patrols to paint us a picture of the park.  She does a great job of describing the danger and beauty there.  Will and Kate discover that they are attracted to each other but both have things in their pasts that make them reluctant to get involved.

This is from the publisher’s website:

“It is 1886, and the government has given the US Cavalry control of Yellowstone. For widowed hotelier Kate Tremaine, the change is a welcome one. She knows every inch of her wilderness home like the back of her hand and wants to see it protected from poachers and vandals.

Refused a guide by Congress, Lieutenant William Prescott must enlist Kate's aid to help him navigate the sprawling park and track down the troublemakers. But a secret from his past makes him wary of the tender feelings the capable and comely widow raises in him. As they work together to protect the park and stand firm through injustice and tragedy, they may just find that two wounded hearts can share one powerful love when God is in control.”

If I were to rate the story, I would give it a 4.5.  It was interesting with a little mystery built in and dotted with humorous dialog.  My only complaint was with the actual physical copy of the book.  If it were the e-book version, there would not have been a problem.  I had a physically hard time reading it, the print was lighter than most books and tired my eyes quickly.  I don’t know if it was intentional or maybe a misprint but it made it very difficult to read.

Read an excerpt HERE

 

You can learn more about Regina Scott HERE 

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Books and Baker Publishing Group through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”