The Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow

The Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow
Olivia Newport
Revell Publishing
Romance, Fiction, Historical
Available January 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Charlotte Farrow, maid in the wealthy Banning household on Chicago's opulent Prairie Avenue, has kept her baby boy a secret from her employers for nearly a year. But when the woman who has been caring for her son abruptly returns him, Charlotte must decide whether to come clean and face dismissal or keep her secret while the Bannings decide the child's fate. Can she face the truth of her own past and open her heart to a future of her own? Or will life's tragedies determine the future for her? 

This compelling story set against the glittering backdrop of the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition captures the tension between the wealthy class and the hardworking servants who made their lives comfortable. Author Olivia Newport expertly portays social classes while creating a story of courage, strength, and tender romance.

If you are a fan of Downton Abbey you will enjoy this book. There is most definitely an upstairs and a downstairs situation going on. I so wanted this book to be gripping and amazing and yet...it left me disappointed, it could have been so much more. Charlotte's dilemma was, frankly, absolutely ridiculous. Hiding her baby is astounding to me. I could think of 100 different scenarios that would have worked better. Perhaps this scenario could have been more believable if the underlying story had been better developed. I never quite understood why Charlotte felt the need to hide her baby. The fear that she lived with throughout the book became simply annoying after too long. With all of that said I somehow still finished the book and didn't hate it. Newport weaves a clever tale but clever without framework can leave the reader frustrated. I dare say I may even read another Newport book in hopes that the two may come together and create something truly special. 

My thanks to Revell Publishing for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. 

Waiting for Spring

Waiting for Spring
Amanda Cabot
Revell Publishing
Historical, Fiction, Romance
Available January 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

After the loss of her husband and the birth of her baby, Charlotte has had a long, hard year. But when a notorious robber believes she knows the location of a long-lost treasure, she flees to Cheyenne and opens a dressmaker's shop to lie low and make a living. When wealthy cattle baron and political hopeful Barrett Landry enters the shop to visit her best customer, Charlotte feels drawn to him.

If Barrett is to be a senator of the soon-to-be state of Wyoming, he must make a sensible match, and Miriam has all the right connections. Yet he can't shake the feeling that Charlotte holds the key to his heart and his future.

Soon the past comes to call, and Barrett's plans crumble around him. Will Charlotte and Barrett find the courage to look love in the face? Or will their fears blot out any chance for happiness?

Amanda Cabot is a good author and if this book speaks for what's to come she continues to get better and better. Both Charlotte and Barrett are well developed and are fun to watch grow throughout the book. The historical value of the time and location is well researched and fascinating to read. While the plot line might not seem overly unique there are just enough twists thrown in to make it feel new. I loved that Charlotte was a dress maker and that her son was blind. The implications of both of those things in the era was very interesting to read about. 

I felt "the baron" (the bad guy) was a bit far fetched and Charlotte's fear of him almost drove me crazy. The kidnapping scene is extremely unbelievable but gripping to read. Charlotte's son is 1 and in my opinion there were a lot of creative allowances taken with his cognitive development. None of these things took too much away from the book. It was still a good read and I enjoyed it. 

What a perfect time of year to put a quilt on your lap, read while snow falls, and wait patiently for spring. Your waiting will be much more enjoyable with this book in hand. 

My thanks to Revell Publishing for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.  

Lily's Plight

Lily's Plight
Sally Laity and Dianna Cawford
Barbour Publishing
January 1, 2013
Romance, Fiction, Historical

Journey to Pennsylvania backcountry during the French and Indian War. Indentured servant Lily Harwood has always thought of herself as a good Christian lass. . .until she is struck with a deeper, more profound plight than the war that rages around her. When her mistress’s husband returns home on a short furlough, Lily finds herself falling in love with him. As Lily is caught between passion and sorrow in harrowing times, can she find hope in the promises of God?

This is the third and final installment in the Daughters of Harwood House and I enjoyed this just as much as I did the other two. Laity and Crawford spin an engaging read that kept me reading into the night. Indian attacks, love, and suspense are all combined in this book about Lily. Lily herself is a bit of a confusion to me. She's extremely young in age but very old in years. I think it works for the time but I didn' find it believable all of the time. As a character she wonderful I'm just not sure totally believable.

The book is rich with historical detail that I found fascinating. Entering into the story of some of our earliest pioneers and their fight for their land and lives was gripping. I'm constantly amazed at those who have gone on before and kept going when I think I may have quit. The authors do a superb job of truly sharing with us their "plight".

An excellent read that really can be read as a standalone. You won't regret picking this one up...unless you like to sleep at night and not read :)

My thanks to Barbour Books for giving me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Dawn Comes Early

Dawn Comes Early
Margaret Brownley
Thomas Nelson Publishers
March 13, 2012
Romance, Western, Fiction, Historical

Looking for a woman of good character and pleasant disposition willing to learn the ranching business in Arizona territory. Must be SINGLE and prepared to remain so now and forever more. Will be given ownership of ranch. —Eleanor Walker

Disgraced dime novelist Kate Tenney fled the city that banned her latest book for a fresh start at a cattle ranch in the Arizona Territory. She hopes ranching turns out to be as romantic as she portrayed it in her novels.

But what awaits her is a much harder life. There is no room for mistakes on a working cattle ranch in 1895, and Kate is ill-prepared for her new life. She quickly learns that dawn comes early . . . every day. But she is tenacious.

Having been abandoned by a string of men, Kate has no intention of ever marrying. But she didn’t expect to meet Luke Adams either. Luke awakens feelings inside Kate she doesn’t recognize, and his steady presence is a constant distraction. She has only written about love in the past, never known it herself. But her feelings for Luke stand in the way of all she has to gain if she is chosen as the heir.
Perhaps God brought Kate to the barrenness of the desert to give new life to her jaded heart.

This was just good old fashion fun to read! I love Westerns and this one does not disappoint. Kate is a great character with many layers. I was completely overwhelmed when she first arrived on the ranch and I'm still not convinced she would have actually "made it" but the assumption made for very fun reading. All the characters have an amount of depth to them that makes reading enjoyable. The story of God's healing throughout is very special. A great read that I highly recommend! Way to go Brownley!

My thanks to Thomas Nelson Publishers for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

To Whisper Her Name

To Whisper Her Name
Tamera Alexander
Zondervan Publisher
Historical, Fiction, Romance 
Publication Date: 10/23/12

Olivia Aberdeen, destitute widow of a murdered carpetbagger, gratefully accepts an invitation from "Aunt" Elizabeth Harding, mistress of Belle Meade Plantation and the dearest friend of Olivia's late mother. Expecting to be the Harding's housekeeper, Olivia is disillusioned once again when she learns the real reason why Elizabeth's husband, Confederate General William Giles Harding, agreed to her coming. Caring for an ill Aunt Elizabeth, Olivia is caught off guard by her feelings for Ridley Adam Cooper, a southern-born son who-unbeknownst to her and everyone else-fought for the Union.
Determined to learn "the gift" that Belle Meade's head horse trainer, Bob Green, possesses, Ridley is a man desperate to end the war still raging inside him while harboring secrets that threaten his life. As Ridley seeks to make peace within himself for "betraying" the South he loved, Olivia is determined to never be betrayed again...
Set within the remarkable history of Nashville's historic Belle Meade Plantation, comes a story about enslavement and freedom, arrogance and humility, and the power of love to heal even the deepest of wounds. 

Tamera Alexander is one of my favorite authors and this book does not disappoint. Alexander writes with depth and wit. Her characters are real people with real issues and they are always a pleasure to get to know. She managed to bring the somewhat austere south down to earth while incorporating the very real issues of the day. Olivia grows throughout the book and becomes a dear character. Ridley is fun from the beginning and only growths in his depth. The horse aspect of the book is fascinating. I also thoroughly enjoyed the time period this was set in and getting a glimpse of the south post-war.

Props to Alexander for another great read that I didn't want to put down. Go buy it and prepare to be transported!

My thanks to Zondervan Publishing for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Ashton Park

Ashton Park
Murray Pura
Harvest House Publishers
Fiction, Romance
Publication date: January 1, 2013

For fans of the hugely popular Downton Abbey series, comes this equally enthralling story of the Danforth family of Ashton Park.

Among the green hills and trees of Lancashire, only a few miles from the sea, lies the beautiful and ancient estate of Ashton Park.

The year is 1916. The First World War has engulfed Europe and Sir William's and Lady Elizabeth's three sons are all in uniform--and their four daughters are involved in various pursuits of the heart and soul.

As the head of a strong Church of England family for generations, Sir William insists the Danforth estate hold morning devotions that include both family and staff. However, he is also an MP and away at Westminster in London whenever Parliament is sitting. During his long absences, Lady Elizabeth discreetly spends time in the company of the head cook of the manor, Mrs. Longstaff, who is her best friend and confidante. This friendship includes visits to a small Baptist church in Liverpool that exposes Lady Elizabeth to a less formal approach to Christian worship and preaching than she is used to and which she comes to enjoy.

Readers will follow Ashton Park's charming upstairs/downstairs characters through the perils of war and the affairs of the heart with relish--and with an eye to the sequel coming in Fall 2013.

Alright I'll admit it, I'm a huge fan of Downton Abbey. Nothing to be ashamed about that other than I hate to be part of the status quo. I was reluctant to read this book because I feel like Downton Abbey "like" books are quickly becoming a new trend in fiction. Trend or not, status quo or not this was an excellent book. I very much enjoyed it. Pura does a wonderful job of weaving a tale.

I do have a couple of complaints. At times I felt as if the story too closely mirrored Downton Abbey and I would have liked to see a little more uniqueness. That's not to say there aren't completely new story lines, because there are. This is a long book that reads more like an epic novel than the start of a series. The Danforths have 7 children and at different times in the book we follow all 7 separate lives. It did get to be a bit much. I felt as if I needed to read with a notebook nearby to make notes so I wouldn't forget who was who.

 In spite of my complaints I loved this book and found myself missing it when I was done reading. The characters are well developed (all 100 of them :)) and the story lines will completely hold your attention. Settle in with some tea and a blanket in a sunny spot and prepare to fully enter the world of the Danforths. You'll be delighted that you did.

My thanks to Harvest House Publishers for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Today's Shawdows

Today's Shadows
Becky Melby
Barbour Publishing 
Christian, Romance, Mystery
Publication Date: December 1, 2012

Grad student Heather Conrad’s house-sitting venture is about to veer off course. When last minute changes leave Heather in charge of watching her former boss’s lakeside Victorian mansion and six-year-old daughter, Izzy, the surprises have just begun. Soon startling discoveries convince Heather that something just isn’t right around the house. As suspicions mount, Heather calls on security systems installer Ryan Tobin for help. . .then stumbles on a hidden stairway that leads headlong into a forgotten past. But what will Heather discover there that changes everything?

This book immediately caught and held my attention. Heather is an intriguing character that I personally could relate to. Her exploration of local coffee shops was fun to read about. Izzy is a delight and an extremely well written 6 year old. Ryan is a bit cheesy but as his story develops he grows on you. There is a bit of mystery throughout the story that I found very interesting. Who is taking pictures of Heather and Izzy? Why all the secrets in the old mansion? And just who is Ryan? While not startlingly amazing you'll enjoy this one, I promise!

My thanks to Barbour Publishing for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.