Title: Spy of Richmond
Author: Jocelyn Green
Publisher: River North
Pages: 432
ISBN: 978-0-8024-0579-1
Publication Date: March 1st, 2015

Synopsis:

Trust None. Risk all.

Richmond, Virginia, 1863. Compelled to atone for the sins of her slaveholding father, Union loyalist Sophie Kent risks everything to help end the war from within the Confederate capital and abolish slavery forever. But she can't do it alone.

Former slave Bella Jamison sacrifices her freedom to come to Richmond, where her Union soldier husband is imprisoned, and her twin sister still lives in bondage in Sophie's home. Though it may cost them their lives, they work with Sophie to betray Rebel authorities. Harrison Caldwell, a Northern freelance journalist who escorts Bella to Richmond, infiltrates the War Department as a clerk-but is conscripted to defend the city's fortifications.

As Sophie's spy network grows, she walks a tightrope of deception, using her father's position as newspaper editor and a suitor's position in the ordnance bureau for the advantage of the Union. One misstep could land her in prison, or worse. Suspicion hounds her until she barely even trusts herself. When her espionage endangers the people she loves, she makes a life-and-death gamble.

Will she follow her convictions even though it costs her everything-and everyone-she holds dear?

Review:
I have loved every book in the Heroines Behind the Line Series and Spy of Richmond really brought it all together and closed out this series beautifully!

This story follows Sophie, a girl who was born and raised in Richmond who went to a girl's school in the north when she was older. She was raised by her mother, who was from the south, and held in esteem by her father, a staunch southern supporter. When the war breaks out, Sophie's ideas draw her to the union side, but she has to be careful. Anyone with union sympathy is looked down on and questioned for any action. Sophie looses both of her parents in different way in the beginning of the story, which leaves her to do as she feels she needs to do.

Sophie walk cautiously along a fine line. As she moves along, she finds others with her opinion of the war. As we follow Sophie on this journey, she has someone she had cared about brought back into her life along with several new friends as she continues on this journey.

As you read through The Spy of Richmond, you can't help but get caught up in all of the fantastic history that is intertwined into the story. Jocelyn Green did so much research for this book and it shows. You can't helped but get swept up into the detail of the events, surroundings, and clothes of this time.

This book closes out this series perfectly. I'm sad to see this close out the series, since I love the history of this time, but there were no questions left open which made me very happy!

If you are a fan of the Civil War era, this series is one that you need to check out!

Too Read!
5 out of 5

Title: Hearts Made Whole
Author: Jody Hedlund
Publisher: Bethany House
Pages: 379
ISBN: 978-0-7642-1238
Publication Date: June 2nd,  2015

Synopsis:

1865
Windmill Point, Michigan

Can She Forgive the Hurting Man Who Costs Her the Role She Loves?

After her father's death, Caroline Taylor has grown confident running the Windmill Point Lighthouse. But in 1865 Michigan, women aren't supposed to have such roles, so it's only a matter of time before the lighthouse inspector appoints a new keeper--even though Caroline has nowhere else to go and no other job available to her.

Ryan Chambers is a Civil War veteran still haunted by the horrors of battle. He's secured the position of lighthouse keeper mostly for the isolation--the chance to hide from his past is appealing. He's not expecting the current keeper to be a feisty and beautiful woman who's angry with him for taking her job and for his inability to properly run the light. When his failings endanger others, he and Caroline realize he's in no shape to run the lighthouse, but he's unwilling to let anyone close enough to help. Caroline feels drawn to this wounded soul, but with both of them relying on that single position, can they look past their loss to a future filled with hope...and possibly love?

Review:
Jody Hedlund is remarkable at finding interesting people in history and bringing them back to life in her stories. Hearts Made Whole is no different. This is book 2 in the Beacons of Hope Series that focuses on the women who helped keep the lights going in the light houses in Michigan.

This story focuses on Caroline Taylor and her siblings and they live in the Grosse Point Light House after their dad had died. Caroline had grown up helping her dad with his job, so when he died, she stepped in and did the job, hoping to keep the position to support her sibling. Her younger sister Tessa is the only one who wouldn't mind in Caroline had to move on, since she is tired of living in the town . Despite what her sister wants, Caroline fights for her job as the Light House Board member is determined to see her and her family gone.

Not knowing what all was going on at the light house, Ryan Chambers steps into the middle of everything when the Light House Board hires him for Grosse Point Light House job. However, he is battling personal demons and asks Caroline for help.

Caroline and Ryan make a good team and keep the Light going no matter what. Even as trials at thrown at them. They hold strong, even when the issues come closer and closer to them.

Jody Hedlund has a great ability of weaving history and fiction together. This was an enjoyable story and I can't wait to dive into book 3!

Too Read
4 out of 5

Title: Faith
Author: Lyn Cote
Publisher: Tyndale House
Pages: 584
ISBN: 978-1-4143-7563-2
Publication Date: April 1st, 2016

Synopsis:

The Civil War battlefield is the last place Quakeress Faith Cathwell thought she’d find herself. But with a gift for nursing, Faith seizes this opportunity to join the fight for abolition—and to search for Shiloh, a freeborn childhood friend who was kidnapped and sold south by unscrupulous slave catchers.

Knowing it’s much too dangerous for her to search enemy territory alone, Faith enlists the help of Colonel Devlin Knight, who is indebted to her for saving his cousin’s life. A career soldier, Dev is committed to the preservation of the Union but conflicted about freeing his own slave and confidant, who plans to enlist as soon as Dev gives him manumission papers.

Blazing a trail east with the rest of Grant’s army, Dev and Faith fight their personal battles—and a growing attraction to each other. When beliefs clash and passions flare, they quickly find that the only thing more dangerous than the war surrounding them is the battle within their hearts.

Review:
I was introduced to Lyn Cote a couple of years ago with Honor, the first book in the Quaker Brides series. Oh, how I fell in love with that story! I still rave about it. I was anxious for Blessing to come out, I sadly haven't read it yet, even though I have it. Then when Faith came out, I was excited to read it. And even though I have read this series out of order, it still works. These books can work together as standalone stories...but why would you want to do that? Ha!

Faith starts with a punch. It leaves you with many questions and and shows you how things were during the time of the civil war. It shows both sides well in honesty. And depending on which side you look at, that side will be glamorized while the other side is villainized. In truth though, the civil war had a mix of opinions on it and more to the background, similar to the Revolutionary war. Lyn Cote portrays this well in Faith. Not everything is black and white. There is a lot of grey.

The characters in Faith were well flushed out and had great depth to them, and also growth as they continued through the story. They had a realisticness to them. Faith is a wonderfully strong character, very much like Honor. She has a different view then most as Quaker, but that doesn't mean she is weak. She stands her ground and fights for what is right and in doing so, it takes her into a profession that is looked down on by a few. Yet, she holds firm. Her beliefs lead her and her compassion is amazing. Even when question, she does what she feels she must.

Devlin is another great character. He honestly showed what people were like. Even though from the South and fighting for the North, he has conflicted views with his background. He has his own beliefs and he does his best with it. But like many, he does has a lot to learn. Following his story was enjoyable. He was a complex character and he kept opening up more to me in this book.

Through these books, Lyn Cote has fast become a favorite author. I can't wait to read more of her books!

Too Read
4 out of 5

About the Author:
Lyn Cote, known for her "Strong Women, Brave Stories," is the award-winning, critically-acclaimed author of more than 35 novels. Her books have been RITA Award finalists and Holt Medallion and Carol Award winners. Lyn received her bachelor's degree in education and her master's degree in American history from Western Illinois University. She and her husband have two grown children and live on a small but beautiful lake in northern Wisconsin.

Visit her online at www.LynCote.com.


Thank you to the Tyndale Blog Network, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

Title: God Bless America
Author & Illustrator: Peter Francis
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Pages: 18
ISBN: 978-0-310-75347-6
Publication Date: June 7th, 2016

Synopsis: 

Take a tour of the most amazing landmarks and cities in America! God Bless America will show readers how special their country is and how God made such a wonderful place for us to live.

Review:
With the Fourth of July fast approaching and summer usually the time of the year to celebrate all things patriotic and love of the country, God Bless America by Peter Francis is a fun, sweet, and brightly colored board book for children.

We get to follow Henry Bear has he travels to fun and important parts of America and the different areas where Freedom was fought for. We see different symbols of freedom and liberty.

This is a fun and cute book for kids.

Too Read!
5 out of 5

Thank you to Zonderkidz, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Where Trust Lies
Author: Janette Oke & Laurel Oke Logan
Publisher: Bethany House
Pages: 336
ISBN: 978-0-7642-1318-2
Publication Date: February 3rd, 2015

Synopsis:

She loves her friends and students in the West, but family obligations have called her home. Where does she truly belong?
After a year of teaching in the Canadian West, Beth Thatcher returns home to her family. She barely has time to settle in before her mother announces plans for a family holiday--a luxurious steamship tour along the eastern coast of Canada and the United States. Hoping to reconnect with her mother and her sisters, Beth agrees to join them, but she quickly realizes that things have changed since she went away, and renewing their close bond is going to be more challenging than she expected.

There's one special thing to look forward to--letters and telephone calls from Jarrick, the Mountie who has stolen her heart. The distance between them is almost too much to bear. But can she give her heart to Jarrick when it will mean saying good-bye to her family once again--and possibly forever? And will she still want to live in the western wilds after the steamship tour opens up a world of people and places she never imagined?

Then comes a great test of Beth's faith. Someone in her family has trusted the wrong person, and suddenly everything Beth knows and loves is toppled. Torn between her family and her dreams, will Beth finally discover where her heart truly belongs?

A companion story to Hallmark Channel's When Calls the Heart TV series!

Review:
I've always have been a fan of the Canadian West series. I was thrilled when last year, there was a spinoff. Then to make the enjoyment all the best, Hallmark Channel came out with the TV show, When Calls the Heart, based off of this new series. (The first season was fantastic by the way, and I can't wait for season 2!)

Where Trust Lies picks up right where, Where Courage Calls ends.We follow Beth as she travels back home for the summer to await word on if she is wanted back in Coal Valley for the next school year. She also has to deal with the separation from Jack as he has to stay at his post. It's during this separation, Beth is given a lot to think over.

Beth also realizes, her time in Coal Valley has changed her. She is stronger, and a bit more independent now, then what she was. Her transition for the summer back to her old life is a little harder, especially when she doesn't even get to spend much time home. Her family has planned a long cruise trip without telling her and she is thrust off into another new area.

I liked the beginning of Where Trust Lies and the end. The story flowed well, as was interesting in these areas. Sadly though, with the cast of characters out to see for most of it, the story dragged. From Beth's perspective, she wasn't having a wonderful time, just trying to make it through the journey, and that is how I felt right along with her. The story didn't have much of a romantic background as what I was hoping, but with Beth and Jack separated as they were and the form of communication used, that is understandable. What was really focused on was Beth's sister, Julie. She has always been the free spirit of the family, and this book focused on that and her desire to rebel against the life she has known and the rules.

Out of the two books out in this series so far, I didn't like it as much as the first book, but I am looking forward to what is to come for Beth and to see where her story goes.

3 out of 5

About the Author:
Bestselling author Janette Oke (pronounced "oak") is celebrated across the world for her significant contribution to the Christian book industry. She is credited with launching the modern era of inspirational fiction with the publication of her first novel, Love Comes Softly, in 1979. Today, her novels have sold more than 30 million copies, and she is the recipient of the ECPA President's Award, the CBA Life Impact Award, the Gold Medallion, and the Christy Award. Janette and her husband, Edward, live in Alberta, Canada.



Laurel Oke Logan, daughter of Edward and Janette Oke, is the author of Janette Oke: A Heart for the Prairie, as well as the novel Dana's Valley, which she co-wrote with her mom. Laurel and her husband have six children and two sons-in-law and live near Indianapolis, Indiana.







Thank you to Bethany House, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

Title: Always on my Mind
Author: Susan May Warren
Publisher: Tyndale
Pages: 400
ISBN: 978-1-4143-7844-2
Publication Date: December 18th, 2014

Synopsis:

After a failed dig in Honduras, aspiring archaeologist Casper Christiansen heads home to Minnesota to face his unresolved feelings for Raina Beaumont, the woman of his dreams. But when he arrives unannounced on her doorstep, he receives the shock of a lifetime: Raina is pregnant with someone else’s baby.

Heartbroken, especially when he discovers the identity of the baby’s father, Casper tables his dreams and determines to be dependable for once, helping his older brother, Darek, prepare the family resort for its grand reopening. Casper longs to be the hero of at least one family story, but a never-ending Deep Haven winter and costly repairs threaten their efforts—and the future of the resort.

Worse, one of Casper’s new jobs constantly brings him into contact with Raina, whom he can’t seem to forget. A tentative friendship begins to heal fresh wounds, but can they possibly overcome past mistakes and current choices to discover a future together?

Review:
I really do not know why I waited so long to read Susan May Warren's books. I have a lot of catching up to do! I was introduced to Susan's books last year, and I have enjoyed every single one I have read thus far.

I jumped in to the Christiansen family series at the half way mark. Thankfully, the books work well as a standalone if need be, but work beautifully when together as a series, as you get the whole story of this wonderful family.

Now mind you, this family I believe is wonderful, but not by any means does that make them perfect. No, far from it. Each character deals with hard struggles and issues that don't resolve right away. This story is based on life, but what these stories offer is hope. Hope is always needed and this family knows what kind of hope they need to look for, even if they are in their darkest place.

It is the dead of winter when we jump into Always On My Mind. We pick up right after When I Fall In Love ends and we watch how everything that transpired at the end of book three unfolds in book four and the actions and lack of communication play such a huge part in how things turn out. Casper has fled from the family to go in search of treasure, but feels a pull to come home. He leaves the beautiful sunny shores and heads to the dead of winter and negative degree weather. When he arrives, he receives many surprises and hurts just seem to plague him.

Raina we were introduced to in the previous book, but here, we really get to know her. She has had a tough and sad life, and because of that you can kind of understand why she makes the decisions she does. However, I do applaud her on one decision, she could have easily gone one way, but did something else. She is also the text book case of a girl who is easy prey. She is hurt, her thoughts aren't completely her own right now, and she is substitutable to any nice gesture or word that is offered to her. And sadly, this happens far to often these days. Raina walks right into.

I loved how this book keeps you up to date on all of the family members from the previous stories. You're not left wondering..."What happened?" No, you are very much a part of this family as you flip through each page. I love that.

I'm very much looking forward to the next book in the series. I love escaping to Deep Haven when ever I get the chance!

Too Read!
5 out of 5

About the Author:
Susan May Warren is the RITA award-winning novelist of over thirty novels. A five-time Christy award finalist, a two-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Carol Award.
A seasoned women’s events speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!.

She is also the founder of www.MyBookTherapy.com, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice. You can find her online at www.susanmaywarren.com.

Thank you Tyndale Blog Network, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.