On My Kindle - Finding Love at the Oregon Coast by Angela Ruth Strong

This book is written by four authors, covering the romances of four friends.

Christina Lovejoy cancels her wedding to Eddie when she realizes he's not committed to the Lord. This isn't how a romance novel usually begins, so I was intrigued. Each friend moves on with their lives and wonders if there's truly someone special out there for them.

If you're looking for a simple, clean romance, you'll enjoy this book. It's a fast read, well written, and has a strong spiritual message.

5 Stars - enjoy!

Writers and Readers:  Do you enjoy writing/reading romances minus historical/suspense elements? Please share.

On My Kindle - The Silver Suitcase by Terri Todd

Benita and Ken struggle with putting food on the table for their two kids. When she loses her part-time job, things get even tighter financially and put a strain on their marriage.

The death of Benita's grandma and two others adds sorrow to the mix. Gram leaves an old silver suitcase (really a trunk) to Benita. The contents aren't valuable, but the diaries provide a peek into Gram's early life. A shocking secret and a transformed life lead to some soul searching.

This is the first book I've read by Terri Todd. It took me a while to get into it, but I'm glad I persevered. The strong spiritual thread and theme of trusting God won me over. I would have liked to see more suspense, but that's my preference.

Four stars for The Silver Suitcase.

Disclaimer: Neither the author nor the publisher paid me for a favorable review. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

Writers:  The author had an angel in her story. Have you ever written something with an angel?

Readers: What do you think about an authors including supernatural events in their stories? Please share.

On My Kindle - The Edge of Mercy by Heidi Chiavaroli

Sarah and Matt's marriage teeters on the edge of a cliff. After a less-than-perfect start, they'd settled into a routine. Now, Matt is looking for all he thought was missing from his life.

A neighbor dies and leaves Sarah instructions to find her daughter. She wants Mary to know about her heritage. In the process, Sarah learns a lot about herself through the diary of a woman who lived in the Colonial days.

Although I'd heard of the author, this was the first book I'd read by her. Her characters jumped off the page, their struggles, emotions, and actions all strong and truthful. I'll be looking for more of her books.

5 Stars.

Disclaimer: Neither the author nor the publisher paid me for a favorable review. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

Writers:  If you write novels, have you every considered doing a time-slip story? (A time-slip story is one with characters from the past and present.) Please share.

Readers:  Do you enjoy stories than meld the historical with the contemporary? Please share your thoughts.

On My Kindle - Beguiled by Deeanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand

Spooked by burglaries in a wealthy Charleston community, Dogwalker Rylee Monroe calls the police on two men in the park. Her mastiff doggie friend charges one of them, and he escapes by climbing onto a monument.

It's all a big misunderstanding. The man, Logan Woods, is a reporter for the local paper. The detective responding becomes suspicious of Rylee and sets out to prove she's the burglar.

This story started off slowly for me, but then took off like a bullet. The authors kept the tension high through the balance of the story. I did guess whodunit, but there was some doubt along the way. If you enjoy romantic suspense, you'll find this a satisfying read.

I'm giving Beguiled five stars.

Disclaimer: Neither authors nor the publisher paid me for a favorable review. As always, all opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

Writers:  Two authors of different genres teamed up to write this book. Have you considered co-writing a book with another author? Please share.

Readers:  Have you read books with two authors? Did you like them or not? Please share.

On My Kindle - With This Pledge by Tamera Alexander

Lizzie Clouston works as a governess on a Franklin, Tennessee plantation when the Civil War arrives at their doorstep. Her employers open their home as a hospital for wounded Confederate soldiers, and she's pressed into assisting one of the surgeons.

Captain Roland Jones' wounds make survival doubtful, but he pleads with Lizzie to help him keep his leg. A friendship is forged under the most trying circumstances.

The attraction between them grows, but she's pledged to another soldier and thinks he's married. Slavery, a secret, and the uncertainties of war threaten to snuff out any possibility of a lasting relationship.

Tamera Alexander ranks as one of my favorite authors. Her historical romances are full of twists and turns. She captures the realities of war that can sometimes come off as gory. Yet there are many times of introspection, joy, and humor.

This book is part of a new series. I'll be reading the others as they become available. 5 Stars!

Disclaimer:  Neither the author nor the publisher paid me for a favorable review. All opinions expressed, as always are mine and mine alone.

Writers:  Are you interested in writing historical novels? How do you go about researching the time period?

Readers:  Does it bother you when authors write about the truly ugly side of war? Please share.

On My Nightstand - The Sky Above Us by Sarah Sundin

Violet Lindstrom longs to serve as a missionary, but a broken engagement and WWII put a damper on those plans. The closest she can come to her heart's desire is joining the Red Cross. There's no way she will allow a romance to get in the way of her calling.

Adler Paxton, a brash but hurting pilot, vows never to love again after a tragedy took his sweet fiancee, Oralee. His focus is on becoming an ace and helping the Allied forces defeat Hitler. The only thing he didn't factor into his equation was a pretty, blond Red Cross gal and his fighter pilot friend, Nick.

The author's research on WWII is impeccable. I marvel at the detail put into this story. The characters are realistic and their growth and the development of relationships make you forget this is fiction.

The Sky Above Us is Book 2 of the Sunrise at Normandy series. I've read many of Sarah Sundin's books and each one gets better. I'm looking forward to the third book.

5 Stars all the way!

Writers:  Have you considered writing historical fiction? If so, what kind of research will you do or have you already done?

Readers:  What time periods are you drawn to in historical fiction? Why?

On My Nightstand - The Reluctant Duchess by Roseanna White

Lady Rowena Kinnaird wants to escape the clutches of her abusive father and equally abusive suitor. She's thinking about running away, but she knows they will come after her.

Brice, the Duke of Nottingham, and a devout Christian, visits his family's estate in Scotland. So far, he's dodged the efforts of society's mamas to snag him for their daughters. When circumstances throw him and Lady Rowena together, he's less than happy.

This is the second book in the Ladies of the Manor Series by Roseanna White. I strongly suggest you read, "The Lost Heiress," first. You can skip it, but you'll be missing a rather lovely chunk of this trilogy.

The author did a magnificent job with the historical details and the Edwardian time period. Like many historical romances, the story gives a picture of the social norms. It made me glad I live in this day and age.

That said, I enjoyed this riveting story of a woman trapped by awful circumstances and how she eventually comes to terms with them. Add in a delicious mystery, and you've got a real winner. I'm giving it five stars.

I'm reading the third book, "A Lady Unrivaled," right now. I'll be reviewing this book as well in an upcoming post.

P.S. Isn't this a gorgeous cover? It's my favorite of the series.

Disclaimer: I did not receive any payment from either the author or the publisher for a favorable review. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone. 

Writers:  This trilogy has a common thread running through it. Have you considered writing a series that keeps the reader wanting to find out what happened? Please share.

Readers:  Do you prefer stand-alone novels or series? A number of people said they were sorry to see my Moses Trilogy end as they'd become attached to the characters. What has been your experience with series books?

On My Kindle - To Wager Her Heart by Tamera Alexander

Times are hard in the South after the Civil War. Alexandra Jamison's parents want her future secured through an arranged marriage. She chooses to follow her heart and become a teacher at Fisk University, the first Freedman's School in the United States. Her decision comes at great personal cost when her father disowns her.

Sylas Rutledge, the new owner of the Northeast Railroad Line, is in town for a business deal. He comes from Colorado and isn't accustomed to the genteel ways of Southerners. He enlists Alexandra's help in learning how to conduct himself in Nashville business circles.

Can a romance between a man from the Wild West and a Southern Belle survive the strains of the post-Civil War South?

Tamera Alexander is one of my favorite, go-to authors. Her Belle Meade series is not only beautifully written but painstakingly researched. I spent many pleasurable hours reading this book. If you're a fan of Historical Christian Romance, I think you'll enjoy this story of finding love after unbearable tragedy.

5 Stars!

Disclaimer:  Neither the author nor the publisher paid me for a favorable review. All opinions are solely based on my reading of this book.