Review of "Love Unexpected"

Rating: 4 Stars

Review: "Love Unexpected" is a gentle romance with endearing characters and a beautiful setting.  Jody Hedlund makes a mark on readers' hearts with her tale of faith, forgiveness, and love. I became easily ensconced in the lives of Emma, Patrick, and Josiah. The unexpected is present from the tense opening scene when Emma finds herself coming close to death at sea. In a short span of time, her life completely changes and she becomes a wife and mother. I was surprised at how suddenly Emma and Patrick enter into their marriage of convenience.  In many ways, their situation is similar to "Love Comes Softly," and the marriage is just the beginning of the story.  Emma's struggles and doubts as a new wife and mother make her a realistic character who is easily lovable.  Her compassion and humility definitely stand out, and her interactions with little Josiah are absolutely heart-melting.  The cover art captures their bond to perfection, and matches the essence of the novel in its entirety.  

Patrick is the epitome of a gentleman, behaving with honor and restraint.  Emma quickly loses her heart to him and readers will too. His character is one with multiple layers that add texture to the entire plot.  His dark history is a stark contrast to the redeemed Patrick, which adds significant depth to the messages of hope and forgiveness.  Patrick's job as the keeper of the Presque Isle light seamlessly incorporates Michigan's nautical history. The small village and its lighthouse are described with picturesque charm, while still acknowledging the hardships faced by those who settled in remote areas. Jody Hedlund has an undeniable ability to bring to characters to life and place them in historical settings, and that talent is prevalent in "Love Unexpected." The gentle love and the purity of emotion make this a memorable novel, whose light shines brightly.  

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House 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. 

Summary from Bethany House: 1859,   Presque Isle, Michigan 

What Is the Secret That Could Shipwreck Both of Their Lives?

All Emma Chambers ever wanted was a home, but when her steamboat sinks just outside Presque Isle, she's left destitute and with no place to stay.

An unlikely solution arises when the lighthouse keeper arrives in town. He's just lost his wife and is having a difficult time caring for his child. So a traveling preacher gets the idea that the keeper and Emma might be the answer to each other's dilemma. After a hasty marriage, she finds herself heading to the lighthouse with this handsome but quiet stranger. Nothing in her aimless life, though, has prepared her for parenting a rambunctious toddler, as well as managing a household.

Emma soon suspects Patrick may be hiding something from her, and then she hears a disturbing rumor about the circumstances surrounding his late wife's death. It seems as if her wish for a home and family of her own could end up leading her once more into turbulent waters.

Review of "Brentwood's Ward"

Rating: 4 Stars

Review:  "Brentwood's Ward" isn't a typical Regency romance; it has murder, mystery, and deception alongside the expected spencer jackets and social gatherings.  Michelle Griep creates a plot with numerous twists and surprises that keep the pace moving steadily.  Emily Payne is a headstrong young woman determined to do things her own way, even when danger lurks nearby.  She comes across as spoiled and makes some aggravating decisions; but like any good character, the circumstances she faces lead to growth and maturity.  Sparks fly when the handsome Nicholas Brentwood is assigned as guardian to Emily.  The two are social opposites, and Emily is steadfastly determined to marry within her own class.  The result is an undercurrent of romance, leaving us in anticipation for the moment they openly acknowledge their mutual love.

Brentwood brings a lot of interest to the story.  He plays a variety of roles - guardian, lawman, and caretaker.  Griep ties in a few subplots through Brentwood.  His job as a Bow Street Runner provides a new perspective into London's history, while bringing action and suspense as well. Brentwood takes us on a detective's journey to uncover the deadly danger that surrounds Emily and her family. The most heartwarming role that Brentwood portrays is that of a loving brother.  His sick sister is a sweet addition to the cast, who reminds me of Betsy in Elizabeth Gaskell's "North and South." Brentwood's interactions with his sister establish his character, making him a stark contrast to some of the society "gentleman" who Emily holds in high regard.

"Brentwood's Ward" is a novel that kept my interest completely. The specifics of the central mystery and Emily's family felt somewhat contrived, but I enjoyed the story.  I read Michelle Griep's "A Heart Deceived" last year, and found it completely gripping. "Brentwood's Ward" is less memorable for me, but a novel that I fully recommend.  Griep's ability to create a dimensional historical story with themes of faith will keep me picking up her books.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Books through NetGalley. 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.

Summary from Barbour Publishing: Place an unpolished lawman named Nicholas Brentwood as guardian over a spoiled, pompous beauty named Emily Payne and what do you get? More trouble than Brentwood bargains for. She is determined to find a husband this season. He just wants the large fee her father will pay him to help his ailing sister. After a series of dire mishaps, both their desires are thwarted, but each discovers that no matter what, God is in charge.

Review of "The Secret of Pembrooke Park"

Rating: 5 Stars

Review: Julie Klassen once again immersed me in early 1800's England.  I always welcome a chance to delve vicariously into historic England, and "The Secret of Pembrooke Park" proved to be a delightful adventure.  Fans of Jane Austen will find similarities in the plot to "Northanger Abbey" and "Persuasion," but "The Secret of Pembrooke Park" is its own story with plenty of mystery. The questions begin right from the start when Abigail's family is presented with the prospect of living in Pembrooke Park.  Their unidentified benefactor is soon the least of mounting mysteries when Abigail moves into the abandoned manor house.  Klassen weaves the secrets into a richly detailed plot in which the characters and the manor house play equally important roles.  As the cast of characters grows, Klassen leaves readers questioning their motives and true identities.  This is definitely a story that veils the truth of its secrets until the end, and its numerous layers kept my interest.  Even as answers are revealed, Klassen adds some twists and suspense.  

I loved the characterization of the manor house and the many tales held within the walls.  It is an integral part of the plot, which Klassen describes with exquisite details.  The first glimpse of Pembrooke Park is one that plays out as vividly as the scene of a movie. That first eerie impression of a suddenly abandoned house sets the tone of mystery which builds as more questions are introduced, such as sneaking cloaked figures and notes from an unknown sender.  

"The Secret of Pembrooke Park" is not without its share of love and romance, but it is more understated than in some novels.  I appreciate Klassen's approach to focus on the emotional connection between the characters rather than relying on physical attraction.  Although Abigail initially feels destined for spinsterhood, she soon finds herself with two potential suitors - one new and one old.  Add an attractive and outgoing younger sister to the mix, and romance becomes a bit more complicated. Like the rest of the plot, Abigail's journey to love is defined by some suspense, and the characters involved come to life on the pages, once again reminding me of some of my favorite British period movies. 

Julie Klassen once again succeeds in creating an engaging story set against the charming backdrop of England's countryside.  The journey through the pages is one that I enjoyed, and I'm sure other fans of history and all things British will find similar pleasure within the pages of "The Secret of Pembrooke Park." 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House 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. 

Summary from Bethany House:  Abigail Foster is the practical daughter. She fears she will end up a spinster, especially as she has little dowry, and the one man she thought might marry her seems to have fallen for her younger, prettier sister. 

Facing financial ruin, Abigail and her father search for more affordable lodgings, until a strange solicitor arrives with an astounding offer: the use of a distant manor house abandoned for eighteen years. The Fosters journey to imposing Pembrooke Park and are startled to find it entombed as it was abruptly left: tea cups encrusted with dry tea, moth-eaten clothes in wardrobes, a doll's house left mid-play...

The handsome local curate welcomes them, but though he and his family seem acquainted with the manor's past, the only information they offer is a stern warning: Beware trespassers drawn by rumors that Pembrooke Park contains a secret room filled with treasure.

This catches Abigail's attention. Hoping to restore her family's finances--and her dowry--Abigail looks for this supposed treasure. But eerie sounds at night and footprints in the dust reveal she isn't the only one secretly searching the house.

Then Abigail begins receiving anonymous letters, containing clues about the hidden room and startling discoveries about the past. 

As old friends and new foes come calling at Pembrooke Park, secrets come to light. Will Abigail find the treasure and love she seeks...or very real danger?

Review of "The Wishing Season"

Rating: 4 Stars

Review:  Denise Hunter has kept readers ingrained in the lives of the McKinley family in her "Chapel Hill Romance" series.  "The Wishing Season" puts the spotlight on PJ, the youngest McKinley. True to the tone set by the previous novels, Hunter again delivers a story balanced with emotional complexity, love, and romance.  Although this can be read as a stand alone novel, the connection to the tight-knit McKinley family is definitely stronger after reading the preceding novels. 

PJ and Cole are thrown together in a sequence of events that leaves them sharing a house while competing for ownership of the property.  They each believe that the house is the answer to their aspirations -PJ hopes to open a restaurant and inn, while Cole wants to open a home for teens aging out of foster care.  Competition, attraction, and romantic tension weave their way throughout the plot. Some scenes will leave readers breathless; but while clean, the physical element of Cole and PJ's attraction is strong at times for my personal reading preferences.    

Romance aside, the relationship between PJ and Cole reveals a deeper message about the growth and realization of dreams.  Both of their stories, though very different, have touching and relatable elements.  Once again, the McKinley family dynamic shines with lovable realism.  As the youngest child, PJ feels overprotected and doubted by her family.  I enjoyed the journey of the McKinley family and the strengthening of their already strong bond.  Cole's past as a foster child is a stark contrast to PJ's secure upbringing.  He brings depth to the plot with memories of his childhood and the lives of the teens he fosters.  Heartbreak is very much a part of Cole's story, but healing leaves readers with a sense of hope and satisfaction. 

PJ and Cole join the ranks of happy McKinley couples, who I hope will reappear in a cameo role in another novel.  Denise Hunter leaves the door open for another "Chapel Hill Romance" with references to Ryan McKinley.  I definitely feel that Ryan's story deserves to be told and I finish "The Wishing Season" wishing to read more about him. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers through Netgalley. 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.”

Summary from Thomas Nelson: Living side-by-side, a fledgling chef and a big-hearted contractor find a delicious attraction.  Trouble is, their chemistry could spoil their dreams.

Spirited PJ McKinley has the touch when it comes to food. Her dream of opening her own restaurant is just one building short of reality. So when a Chapel Springs resident offers her beloved ancestral home to the applicant with the best plan for the house, PJ believes it’s a contest she was meant to win.

Contractor Cole Evans is confident, professional, and swoon-worthy—but this former foster kid knows his life could have turned out very differently. When Cole discovers the contest, he believes his home for foster kids in transition has found its saving grace. All he has to do is convince the owner that an out-of-towner with a not-for-profit enterprise is good for the community.

But when the eccentric philanthropist sees PJ and Cole’s proposals, she makes an unexpected decision: the pair will share the house for a year to show what their ideas are made of. Now, with Cole and the foster kids upstairs and PJ and the restaurant below, day-to-day life has turned into out-and-out competition—with some seriously flirtatious hallway encounters on the side. Turns out in this competition, it’s not just the house on the line, it’s their hearts.

Review of "The Promise"

Rating: 4 Stars

Review: "The Promise" is a tale in which love and sacrifice exist alongside deceit and hidden agendas. This was a very different story from many that I have read. It was the unique plot, as described in the summary, that initially piqued my interest and my desire to read more. The fact that it was based on someone's real life experiences made me more intrigued. I knew from the description that Mallory would be lured to an unstable area of Pakistan under false pretenses and find herself in a dangerous situation. Her journey to Pakistan begins just before the half-way point of the novel. The first half of the plot builds up to Mallory's trip, and I expected it to occur earlier. As a reader, knowing the pivotal decision that was forthcoming, made me impatient for it to begin. I kept wondering when Mallory was finally going to travel to Pakistan and felt like the inevitable dragged out a few chapters too long. However, Beth Wiseman does a great job in developing Mallory's motives and conveying the emotions that make her vulnerable to an elaborate scam. It's easy to think "this would never happen to me;" but given the right circumstances, I believe most of us could be conned to some extent. The chapters preceding Mallory's trip made me understand how and why she was motivated to take such drastic action. Wiseman also built suspense for the situation that Mallory was entering in Pakistan. It was clear from the beginning that Mallory would be just a pawn in underhanded schemes, but the specifics remained a mystery.

The second half of "The Promise" brought the action and suspense. I was frustrated at times when Mallory just couldn't see the truth of a situation. As the reader, it was easy to see that Abdul was a less than charming man, despite his handsome appearance and flattery. Some of Mallory's decisions made me want to jump in the pages and make her see the truth. I definitely remained engaged until the very end as the tension ebbed in the very final pages.

I found "The Promise" to be a welcome departure from the books that I usually read. It was just slightly out of the box from my normal reading selections. It was refreshing to read a novel that isn't about two characters falling in love. Mallory is in an established relationship. While love plays a role in the plot, the dynamic between her and her boyfriend is different than that of two characters falling in love. It was refreshing for romance to take a backseat and to witness love reacting to adversity under trying circumstances.

I received a complimentary e-copy of this book from LitFuse. 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.

About the book: Mallory's search for happiness leads her to a faraway place. There she finds heartache, betrayal---and danger.

Mallory Hammond is determined that no one will stand in the way of her goal---to save a life. She had that chance years ago, and she failed to take it, leaving her adrift and in search of the real meaning of her life. Finally, she meets a man online from a volatile corner of the world who offers her the chance to find that purpose. But she will have to leave everyone she loves behind in order to take it.

Tate Webber has loved Mallory for many years. He understands that Mallory will never be happy with him until her deepest heart's desire is satisfied. When Mallory decides to travel across the world to fulfill her dreams, Tate begs her not to go but tries to give her the space she needs. Mallory embarks on her dangerous journey only to discover how swiftly and easily promises can be broken. And Mallory can only pray that she will make it out alive.

Inspired by actual events, The Promise is a riveting love story that asks the question: how far will we go for love?

Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/CP8sr 

Read More Reviews: http://litfusegroup.com/author/bwiseman

Beth Wiseman is the best-selling author of the Daughters of the Promise series and the Land of Canaan series. Having sold over 1.3 million books, her novels have held spots on multiple Bestseller lists. She was the recipient of the prestigious Carol Award in 2011 and 2013. In 2013 she took home the coveted Holt Medallion. Her first book in the Land of Canaan series--Seek Me With All Your Heart--was selected as the 2011 Women of Faith Book of the Year. Beth lives in Texas with her family.

Find Beth online: website, Facebook, Twitter