All Things New

All Things New. Lynn Austin. 2012. Bethany House. 416 pages.

Historical fiction set in Virginia in the weeks and months following the end of the Civil War. All Things New is told from multiple perspectives. Lizzie and Otis are slaves who have just learned of their freedom, they are the only former-slaves to choose to stay at White Oak Plantation. Lizzie wants what is best for her family, since the Freedmen's Bureau has opened up a school she has decided it is best they stay there so her children can attend school and learn to read and write. Josephine Weatherly is the oldest daughter. She is mourning the death of her father and brother and struggling to make peace with her brother who returned from the war a very different man. She misses the luxuries of the old life, in a way, but she's a practical no-nonsense woman who'd rather survive and learn to change to fit the new times. Eugenia (Josephine's mother) is so unlike her daughter. She's lost her husband and one son, all her wealth, and she wants things to go back to the way they were before, she wants things to go back to normal right now, she's had enough change, enough loss. Why should she change in order to make sense of this crazy world? All Things New is all about conflict and tension. Will the white families allow the former slaves their freedom, their independence, their right to make decisions for themselves...or will they do whatever it takes to keep them in their "rightful" place? Will these months lead to peace or strife? Is more violence around the corner? Or can a community start to heal?

All Things New is also a romance between a Southern woman, Josephine, and a Yankee, Alexander Chandler...

I liked it. I didn't love it or hate it. I'm not as interested in the Civil War and Reconstruction period as I am in other historical periods. (I just love Lynn Austin novels set during World War II). This wasn't a novel I could feel comfortable with.

Read All Things New

• If you're a fan of Lynn Austin
• If you enjoy historical fiction, historical romance, clean historical romance
• If you enjoy christian fiction
• If you enjoy historical fiction set in the Civil War/Reconstruction period 

© 2012 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

The Kingdom

The Kingdom. Bryan Litfin. 2012. Crossway. 448 pages.

From the prologue: The rulers of the earth took counsel together, and the Pact they made defined the centuries to come. 

The Kingdom concludes the Chiveis Trilogy by Bryan Litfin. The first two novels in the series are The Sword and The Gift. The trilogy has an interesting premise. It explores a post-apocalyptic Europe beginning several centuries after "the end of the world as we know it." In this world, Christianity has both fallen into decay (just naturally--slowly but surely--been forgotten with the passing of each generation) and been outlawed. In the first novel, Ana and Teo discovered--by chance--a copy of the Old Testament. This presumably being the only known copy in existence. The two learn that it is only the first half of the Sacred Writings. And, of course, they WANT to find the second half, the second testament. But they hardly know where to begin. But just because their knowledge is incomplete, doesn't mean that they aren't eager--very, very eager--to share what they do know. For this is the first they've heard of a Creator God--Deu or Deus, as they call Him. And they're drawn to Him, trusting in Him, in His goodness, in his justice, in his righteousness. Teo in addition to being an incredibly brave, strong, oh-so-handsome soldier, is, of course an extremely brilliant scholar who speaks two or three languages, at least--including some of the ancient languages. Chiveis is the country (nation) where they both live. But it is immoral and corrupt. And the 'state religion' is idolatrous. The High Priestess, let's say, LOVES power, and loves the control she has over others. She's definitely into cruelty and torture. So when Teo and Ana begin spreading the good news--what they know of it--she is most displeased. The two end up being exiled. The second novel follows the two after their exile. Their true mission (which they sometimes forget about) is to find the New Testament, the Second Testament. This second novel introduces readers to two or three other countries or regions. It introduces at least one or two new villains to the general story, and, essentially has hundreds of pages worth of torture for the reader to endure alongside the characters. The bad news? They find the New Testament only to lose it to their enemy. The good news? The message and content of the New Testament is NOT lost after all. The book concludes with Teo hard at work translating this one into several different languages so they can spread the good news to all countries and nations. Which brings us to the third novel....

...Ana and Teo have finally, finally admitted they have feelings for one another. And they've finally found a community of believers who are eager to share in their work in evangelism. Actually, Ana and Teo fit into their already-present community. Teo may have many qualities to be a leader--of sorts--in the Christian community, since he's so brilliant and can translate the New Testament in just a few short months into several different languages, but he's not trying to take the role of the Papa in Roma. This novel begins with the couple preparing to be separated for many months--Teo seeking to travel to another country in search of Knights of the Cross, to see if they still remember what "the cross" means, to see if they are still loyal to the Papa. What Teo learns in his journeys--and what Ana learns as well--is that WAR is coming, that there are powers that be coming together united in hatred for the Christian faith.

How do I feel about The Kingdom? How do I feel about the trilogy? Well, I'm not sure there's an easy answer. It does have an interesting premise, in a way. And the books do give me something to think about. But. The characters annoy me just as often as they satisfy me. And essentially all three books are high on torture and "intense" situations that seem like desperate this-is-it close calls. Perhaps because of the high-frequency of these dramatic moments, perhaps because the characters always seem to come away safe, I never truly worried. I was also annoyed with the "romance" in this one. I felt Ana's love for Teo strained her common sense at times, and the same with Teo. Because Teo was so in love with Ana, he had his stupid moments.

Read The Sword, The Gift, The Kingdom

• If you're a Christian looking to read post-apocalyptic and/or dystopian fiction
• If you're a Christian looking to read a "what if" novel, the what if being WHAT IF the Scriptures were lost, WHAT IF the Scriptures were newly discovered, etc., 
• If you like premise-driven fiction, without a doubt, the trilogy offers readers a chance to think, to contemplate.

© 2012 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Short-Straw Bride

Short-Straw Bride. Karen Witemeyer. 2012. Bethany House. 368 pages.

From the prologue: Ten-year-old Meredith Hayes balled her hands into fists as she faced her tormentor, "Hiram Ellis! Give me back my lunch bucket this instant!"

From chapter one: "I don't think I can do it, Cass." Meredith peered up at her cousin through the reflection in the vanity mirror. Cassandra pulled the hairpin from her mouth and secured another section of Meredith's braided chignon. "Do what?" "Marry a man who wants me only for the land I can bring him." 

This isn't my first Karen Witemeyer book; however, it is the first Karen Witemeyer book that I absolutely LOVED, LOVED, LOVED. Short-Straw Bride is a Christian historical romance; it is set in Palestine, Texas in the 1880s.

In the prologue, Travis Archer saves the then-ten-year-old Meredith, her leg having gotten trapped in a hunting trap. The incident stays with her, as you might imagine. First, because she can't forget Travis Archer, he is forever her hero, the stuff of her dreams, despite the fact that that isolated incident is the only time she's seen him. Second, because it left a scar on her leg and the damage to the bone prevented it from growing as it should; one leg being slightly longer than the other.

The novel opens with Meredith all grown up and living with her aunt and uncle who are her guardians. They have arranged a marriage for her with an up-and-coming businessman, Roy Mitchell. Meredith prays for a sign, an indication one way or another if she should marry the man her guardians have chosen for her, or, if she should be stubborn and refuse their choice. And the sign, when it comes, is definite: she not only overhears him calling her a cripple, she overhears him making unethical arrangements to acquire land. He WANTS the Archer land, and since the Archer brothers won't sell, won't negotiate, won't budge, he's decided that if he burns their barn down, it will be a good first step to getting what he wants.

So what's a woman to do? Well, she does try going to the sheriff--or the deputy?--but when she's not taken seriously, when she's instead ridiculed for being a silly woman with a vivid imagination, she does what she must: she rides out to the Archer land herself to warn them. The problem? She doesn't have the time to ride out there and back before nightfall. And she wasn't counting on her cousin giving into the pressure of revealing her whereabouts. So her heroic ride to warn them just in time turns into a compromising reputation-killer. Her uncle demanding that one of the four Archer brothers step forward to marry her....

I admit this one could sound a bit silly to some readers, but, oh how I loved it!!!! I loved Meredith! I loved Travis! I loved their relationship, their marriage, their courtship-coming-after-marriage. I loved seeing how Meredith's presence on the Archer farm transforms the place, transforms the brothers. I loved just about everything in this one!!! There were quite a few giddy-making scenes!

Will Short-Straw Bride appeal to every reader? I doubt it. It's definitely for those that love Christian fiction, those that love Christian historical romance. I could see it having some appeal to non-Christians who love and seek out clean romance novels (smut-free romance novels).

Read Short-Straw Bride

• If you enjoy Christian fiction
• If you enjoy Christian historical romance
• If you enjoy clean romance novels
• If you are looking for historical romance set in Texas

© 2012 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

His Steadfast Love

His Steadfast Love. Golden Keyes Parson. 2011. Thomas Nelson. 336 pages.

The sweet, gooey peach pie filling had overflowed its crust and dribbled down the side of the plate.

His Steadfast Love is set in Texas during the Civil War. The heroine of His Steadfast Love is a young woman named Amanda. Before the war, Amanda meets a young soldier, Captain Kent Littlefield. He's attracted to her despite their different backgrounds--he's from the North, from Pennsylvania; she's from the South, from Texas. He doesn't 'like' the fact that her father owns slaves. And Amanda's father doesn't really see him as a good match for his daughter, he wants a Southerner, a Southern gentleman. So even before war is declared this courtship is problematic...

Most of this novel is rushed. Readers see all the years of the Civil War. Readers see it from Amanda's side. As a concerned sister with a brother in the Confederate army. And as a sweetheart. She knows that she loves Kent. He has told her that he loves her and that he wants to marry her...after the war...with or without her father's or brother's approval. Readers also see it from Kent's perspective and Daniel's perspective. (Daniel is the brother.) Though mainly it's focused on Amanda and Kent. 

I liked this one. But I didn't exactly love it. I never really came to care strongly about the characters. It was a quick read, an enjoyable one. I just didn't find it to be amazing or wonderful.

Read His Steadfast Love

• If you're a fan of Christian historical romance. In my opinion this is stronger as historical than romance, but that could just be me.
• If you're a fan of historical fiction set during the Civil War
• If you're a fan of fiction set in Texas

© 2012 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall. Julie Klassen. 2012. Bethany House. 416 pages.

London
August 1815
He is reading my letters now too...
Margaret Elinor Macy sat at her dressing table, heart pounding. Her face in the looking glass shone pale beneath curly dark hair, her light blue eyes anxious. She glanced from her reflection to the letter in her hand. The seal had been pried open and unsuccessfully re-pressed. Her mother's new husband had obviously begun checking her post--perhaps fearful the next invitation she received would not be to a ball but rather to take refuge in another house, out of reach and out from under his power. 

Did I love it? Yes. I'm not sure I would say that I loved, loved, loved it. But I definitely loved it. It was a good, clean historical romance set during one of my favorite, favorite time periods--the regency. The heroine, Margaret Macy, is determined to escape her new stepfather's influence. He wants her to marry his nephew. They're both after her inheritance which she'll receive on her next birthday. The nephew is determined to do whatever it takes to get her to marry him. So she flees her home--with her maid, Joan. (Joan was fired for 'stealing.' She was innocent.) Determined to find a hiding place, a place she can be safe from harassment until her birthday, she becomes a maid. She just happens to become a maid at the home of one of her former suitors. She didn't marry Nathaniel Upchurch--the former suitor--because she was more attracted to his older brother, Lewis. (Lewis did flirt with her, but then again, he'll flirt with just about any girl once or twice. It never means what the woman thinks it means.) She is wearing a disguise, and she does barely have contact with the family. But. Still she's curious. Will either brother recognize her now? Now that she's emptying chamber pots and such?! And if they do recognize her, will they help her?

I enjoyed this one. I did. I really thought it was great fun. A good, light romance with interesting characters. (There's even a poet pirate.)

Read The Maid of Fairbourne Hall

• If you're a fan of Julie Klassen. If you enjoyed--or loved--any of her previous novels--Lady of Milkweed Manor, The Apothecary's Daughter, The Silent Governess, The Girl in the Gatehouse--then chances are good The Maid of Fairbourne Hall will NOT disappoint.
• If you're a fan of Regency romances (like Georgette Heyer, etc.)
• If you're a fan of clean historical romances
• If you're a fan of inspirational and/or Christian romances (of the historical variety)
• If you enjoy romances where the heroine wears a disguise

© 2012 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Wonderland Creek

Wonderland Creek. Lynn Austin. 2011. Bethany House. 400 pages.

If my life were a book, no one would read it. People would say it was too boring, too predictable. A story told a million times. But I was perfectly content with my life--that is, until the pages of my story were ripped out before I had a chance to live happily ever after.

Our heroine, Alice Grace Ripley, has spent most of her life in Illinois taking things for granted. Things like her job at the library, even though it's the middle of the Depression, Alice assumes that work at the library will continue on. After all, don't people need to read more than ever? And she completely takes her boyfriend, Gordon, for granted. Assuming that he will always be by her side--even though the two have little in common. She's not interested in his work--he's an undertaker, or at the very least he works in the funeral home business. And he's definitely not interested in her work, the number of books she's read that week, the characters in those books, plot elements and twists, etc. So when Gordon discovers her reading a book at a funeral, well, he makes the decision that their relationship would never work. Soon after this disappointment, she learns that the library will have to change its hours and let go of their newest hire; yes, that would be Alice.

Her parents--her father in particular--are big on lists. So Alice won't be allowed time at home to be depressed. So when her Aunt and Uncle mention a trip to a spa--a trip that will take them through Kentucky, well, she asks--almost begs--to join them. For there is a small town (a mountain town) in Kentucky in need of books. Alice has been having a book drive for them, and she's got five boxes of books. She'd love to deliver them herself.

What Alice couldn't predict was her welcome in that town. And how VERY different this rural life would be from everything she's ever known. The librarian, Leslie MacDougal (Mack), isn't all that thrilled with her when she arrives. Where will she stay? Where will she sleep? There isn't exactly a hotel or boarding room about?! And Alice is shocked to discover that the librarian is a man! Which definitely complicates things!

But soon SOMETHING happens that changes everything, it seems that God had a very clear purpose for Alice coming to stay just when she did...

Will her friends and family ever believe her story?!

Wonderland Creek is a great book. Alice is a librarian, a book lover. Though her life in Kentucky does not offer much opportunity to read. The book is a fascinating look at packhorse librarians. Librarians who deliver books to their patrons--by horse. And, of course, it's an interesting look at Appalachian life as well.

If you enjoy historical fiction--set in the 1930s--or mysteries, or romance, then you should try Wonderland Creek. I loved the setting. (It reminded me--in a good way, of course--of Christy.) I loved the characters. And the story.

© 2011 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Love on the Line

Love on the Line. Deeanne Gist. 2011. Bethany House. 365 pages.

"Everybody off the train."

Love on the Line had me hooked from the start. Texas Ranger, Lucius Landrum, is trying his best to catch a gang of train robbers, a gang led by Frank Comer. His quest leads him on an undercover job. He'll be coming to the small Texas town as Luke Palmer, a troubleman for the phone company. He'll be putting up new lines for the company, repairing lines, trying to get new customers, etc. The town has a phone operator, Georgie Gail, who's VERY independent and a bit unsure about Luke--at least in the beginning.

Luke is trying to catch the bad guys, but he's undercover, so he has to go about it in a certain way. He has to become very friendly with all sorts of different people in the town. Including Miss Gail.

Miss Gail is trying to fight injustice in her own way. The milliner in town infuriates her by his use--his over-use--of bird parts on his hats and accessories. She thinks ANY use of a dead bird is over use. And she's appalled that fashion is so out of control that it is threatening the bird populations. She LOVES birds and wants to see a change. So she's out to organize the women and children in the community.

I enjoyed both characters very much. Loved how the story came together.

The novel is set at the turn of the century.

© 2011 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

The Doctor's Lady

The Doctor's Lady. Jody Hedlund. 2011. Bethany House. 384 pages.


"Indians!"

The Doctor's Lady is a fictionalized account of a missionary couple. The hero/heroine of this one is based on Marcus and Narcissa Whitman. Some of the names have been changed--though not all according to the author's note--but many of the events of the novel really happened.

The Doctor's Lady stars Priscilla White a woman oh-so-eager to be a missionary--to India--who is very reluctant to marry anyone. But when she learns that she won't be able to serve as a missionary--anywhere--if she remains single, she accepts the marriage proposal of a man in somewhat similar circumstances. Dr. Eli Ernest longs to return to Oregon territory to start a mission. But he's just learned that he'll need to take a wife. To answer God's call, these two may just have to wed...

The Doctor's Lady is a detailed accounting of the wagon trip west. For those that love pioneer stories, it's a good read! I definitely enjoyed it.

© 2011 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Wings of A Dream

Wings of a Dream. Anne Mateer. 2011. Bethany House. 319 pages.

"Rebekah Grace, if you don't hurry we'll be late for the lecture."

 I had my doubts about Wings of a Dream after reading the first chapter. But. I kept reading. And it didn't take me long to realize that I had judged it much, much too soon. This one hooked me. I ended up loving this sweet historical romance. Was it predictable? Yes. I won't lie. If you demand that your romance, your historical romance, be absolutely original and unpredictable...then you may be disappointed with this one. But if what you're looking for is a feel-good story, a satisfying read that is oh-so-cozy, then Wings of a Dream may just be for you.

This historical romance is set in Texas in 1918 during the last months of World War I. Our heroine, Rebekah Grace, travels to a small Texas town to care for her sick aunt. She arrives just in time--to meet the woman she barely knew, to make a difficult promise, to care for the children in her aunt's care. Rebekah is forced to grow up as she becomes the caregiver of four young children--one just a baby. (Their father is in the army, their mother is dead.)

There is plenty of drama in Wings of a Dream, and I must say that I liked it much more than I thought I would. I wouldn't say it is the best, best book I've ever read. But it was certainly enjoyable!

© 2011 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

A Most Unsuitable Match

A Most Unsuitable Match. Stephanie Grace Whitson. 2011. Bethany House. 336 pages.

Kneeling before the tombstone, eighteen-year-old Fannie Rousseau retrieved the scrub brush from the water bucket she'd just settled in the grass. First, she attacked the dried bird droppings on the back side of the stone, then moved on to the deep grooves carving the name Rousseau into the cool gray surface. She'd just finished cleaning out the second s when a familiar voice sounded from across the cemetery.

I just LOVED, LOVED, LOVED Stephanie Grace Whitson's Sixteen Brides which I reviewed last year. So I was super-excited to read her newest novel, A Most Unsuitable Match. And I must say it did not disappoint! It was just as wonderful.

The heroine of this historical romance is Miss Fannie Rousseau of St. Charles, Missouri. The novel opens soon after her mother's death. Though her mother's death is more recent, it is the loss of her father that has broken her heart or spirit. Now with her mother's death, she's being forced to wake up a bit, to realize that she needs to start taking charge of her life, to start managing the house--or managing the staff--and looking into her financial situation. The family lawyer isn't one for talking--or at least not talking honestly and openly with her. His advice has been--for months and months--just get married, when you get married your husband will take care of you and your finances, I'll work with him about your estate. Needless to say, Miss Fannie does NOT want to take his advice. And she doesn't want him to pick out her husband for her.

After a failed burglary attempt, Miss Fannie is urged to gather her mother's jewels to put in a safe under her lawyer's keeping. While going through her mother's things, she discovers a secret. She finds over twenty letters from a woman, Edith LeClerc, and a photograph. It seems her mother has a twin sister. Why didn't her mother ever tell her about her aunt? Why keep something so big a secret? She takes the photograph and the letters to her lawyer, and his advice is whatever you do, don't try to contact her. She may want your money if she finds out her sister is dead. And besides there is probably a good reason your mother wanted nothing to do with her. So leave it alone.

While she went into the lawyer's office wanting to write her aunt a letter at her last known address, she leaves his office almost determined to do something more! What if she were to go looking for her aunt herself....

So Miss Fannie Rousseau and Hannah, her faithful servant, a woman who has almost always been dearer to her than her mother, decide to travel by steamship. On the ship, they meet a young man, Mr. Samuel Beck, and thus this romance begins. He is on a quest as well. He's looking for someone too.

I loved this one. I just LOVED this one. I loved the characters. I loved the story. I though Miss Fannie was just a lovely heroine. And I loved seeing her grow up a bit on her journey. I loved seeing her deepen her faith as she gave up her comfortable life and trusted God to lead her. I loved Sam Beck (or Brother Sam). I loved seeing him grow into his mission and discover his gift for reaching people right where they are with the gospel. And I also loved so many of the characters we meet along the way, Lamar, Doctor Lamotte and his son, Patrick, Honest Abe Valley, etc.

This one is set in 1869/1870.

© 2011 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

How Huge the Night

How Huge the Night. Lydia Munn and Heather Munn. 2011. Kregel. 304 pages.

"Isn't that beautiful, Julien?"

I was disappointed with how disconnected I felt while reading this one. Typically I seek out holocaust (and world war II) books because usually I enjoy them very much. I have come to expect them to be emotional, intense, compelling. I didn't find that to be the case with How Huge the Night.

Julien Losier, our hero, is miserable and unhappy. The threat of war (and then war itself) has turned his life upside down. It has led to his family moving from Paris to Tanieux--a Southern town with a rich historical legacy of welcoming refugees, welcoming those who have been persecuted.

Julien is most unhappy to share his home, his family, his social life (what little he has) with Benjamin Keller, a Jewish boy who is boarding with the family. When war does become official, when the Nazis do invade France, the boy remains safely with the family--despite the fact that there is no way for Benjamin's family to "pay" his room and board any longer.

Julien is unhappy because he's a social misfit in this new town. Every boy in his class seems to reject him. He's not chosen to play on either team when it comes to soccer. Which to Julien is the end of the world. You'd think it was truly a life and death matter. Just as serious as the fate of the Jews in Germany and Austria, etc.

But this isn't Julien's story alone. Throughout the novel, readers get occasional glimpses of Nina (Niko) and her brother Gustav, two Jewish "brothers" trying to escape Austria and find a safe place. Nina doubts such a safe place exists. Where can they go that the Nazis don't follow? Readers, of course, can predict that these two stories must connect--eventually.

It would have been nice, perhaps, to see the story from Benjamin's point of view. To know how he felt about sharing space with Julien--if he saw Julien as being all me, me, me. If he felt like there was a heavy weight on his shoulders--the burden of worry knowing that he may never see his family again, the worry of what might happen if the Nazis do come this far south, the worry that the world may never be "safe" for Jews again.

I had a hard time liking Julien. I really did. I suppose that was the point. That the fact that there's a war on doesn't automatically make teenage boys saints and heroes. The fact that even though there's all this uncertainty, all this chaos, in the world--with Germany invading European countries, with Germany's agenda for persecuting Jews--Julien still thinks that soccer is the most essential thing in life ever, that being popular, being liked, is ever-important.

Did I like How Huge the Night? Not really. Reading is subjective. And I suppose it could be that I just wasn't in the right mood for this one. But it was hard for me to read this one. Not because it was emotionally difficult--not because I cared too much--but because I cared too little.

© 2011 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Hope Rekindled

Hope Rekindled. Tracie Peterson. 2011. Bethany House. 352 pages.

Hope Rekindled is the third in Tracie Peterson's Striking A Match series. Part of me wished I could write a glowing review of this one, of all the books in the series. But. I'm honest as a reader and reviewer. And while I freely admit that it's all subjective, I can't pretend I liked this one. I just didn't. Why? I'm not exactly sure. And I think that is what frustrates me most. I find the characters in these books to be irritating and annoying. Like nails on a chalkboard. Reading this third book, to me, was anything but fun. I didn't like the characters. I didn't find them to be believable.

Deborah, our heroine, continued to annoy me. My first impression was that she was a little too independent. What do I mean? I think she was a little too proud of being so independent, so intellectual, so above-everyone-else. While being with Christopher has calmed her down some, I still found her selfish and annoying. How selfish? Well, she was all I must be a doctor no matter what. And my needs are more important than yours.

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Never mind that the man she was going to marry has just lost his mother and father in a devastating fire. Never mind that he is now responsible for all of his brothers and sisters. No matter that he's barely making enough to survive--to provide for himself while he accepts charity for his brothers and sisters. No, she must throw a temper tantrum about how he doesn't understand her and her needs and wants. How insensitive of him to think that she would care enough about him and his family that she would stand by them all and be kind and compassionate and patient. No, she practically lectures him on how he's not paying enough attention to her desires to be a career woman.

Another thing that bothered me about Deborah was her unwillingness to compromise. Because she absolutely refuses to move, Christopher is being forced to stay in a town, in a community, that cannot support him. The town is dying. Every family that can move away, is moving away. The mill has been destroyed. The lumber business doesn't have enough money to pay anyone for working. There are no jobs to be had. And the people--even if sick and in need of a doctor--don't have money to pay him. Theoretically, they could marry, move someone new, and find a way to make ends meet. But, no. Deborah HAS to stay right there no matter what.

But Deborah wasn't the only annoying character. The villain made this one awful for me. Not in a threatening way. Not in a believable way. But in a silly, over-the-top, ridiculous way. At least we weren't tortured with a change-of-heart conversion scene where the bad-guy-accepts-Jesus-in-his-heart-and-apologizes-for-torturing-everyone-for-hundreds-of-pages-and-then-everyone-forgives-him-just-because. As a villain he was laughable. His motivations a bit ridiculous to believe.

While a few of the characters were enjoyable--in that they didn't annoy me and I didn't want to yell at them--I didn't find the novel as a whole to be enjoyable. I found Deborah's brothers--and their love interests--to be much more enjoyable as characters. I didn't dislike them. And Deborah's mother and stepfather? Well, I actually found myself liking them. So it's not that I hated every little thing in this novel.

© 2011 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

The Judgment

The Judgment. Beverly Lewis. 2011. Bethany House. 336 pages.

Tomorrow holds nary a promise, my dear Mamm often says. But thankfully some things are quite certain--we plow, we plant and harvest. We attend canning bees and quilting frolics. Our wedding season always begins on the first Tuesday in November. And this year there are many couples marrying and looking ahead to starting their own families.

The Judgment is the sequel to Beverly Lewis' The Thorn. It is the second in the trilogy; these books are set in the mid-80s in Pennsylvania Dutch Country. The novels focus on two sisters--Rose and Hannah.

Hannah (Hen) is married, but she's--for better or worse--separated from her husband. He is of the world, and he wants to raise their young daughter to be of the world. He doesn't think it's a "problem" for her to be watching Madonna videos, for example. Hen never knew how much her faith meant to her until she realized how far she'd fallen through the years. She sacrificed her family, her faith, her traditions to marry this man. Now that she's wanting to reconnect with her faith, her tradition, he's saying NO WAY. There is NO WAY he's going to stay married to a woman who dresses plain and frowns on the sinful "modern" world. He does NOT want his daughter to be brought up Amish. He's not willing to compromise. Hannah must choose between her faith--her way of life--and her marriage. If she doesn't give up--or give in--then he'll file for divorce and custody.

Rose should be content. She's engaged to Silas Good a perfectly respectable man in the community. She should be happy that he's courting her. She should be able to ignore the not-so-new woman in town who's been rather chatty with him. But. If Silas has a few secrets of his own, so does Rose. For Rose can't stop thinking about Nick--even though Nick left the community in disgrace. Nick's not around for her to talk to, to confide in. But he's never far from her thoughts.

So this one has some drama. Two sisters trying to make sense of their love lives. But it's more than just a romance. It's a family drama too.

Did I love it? I'm not sure that I did. I enjoyed spending time with Hen and Rose again. And I look forward to the conclusion of this trilogy. But it wasn't quite love, love, love. I liked it.

© 2011 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

A Heart Most Worthy

A Heart Most Worthy. Siri Mitchell. 2011. Bethany House. 384 pages.

On May 2, 1918, a short article appeared in the Boston Globe. It was only three sentences long; not an article really. Just a mention. It appeared on page twenty-four on the outside column, where most people hold onto a newspaper. I'm sure you wouldn't be very surprised to know that few people noticed it as they read the paper that morning and several people smeared jam on it as they turned the page. Only a very few read it. 

A Heart Most Worthy is the story of four women whose lives touch in Madame Fortier's dress shop. There is Madame Fortier herself, a woman with more than a few secrets. Then there are her three Italian assistants: each one quite different from the others.

Julietta Giordano, a young woman attracted to bad boys, a woman who should know better, but is content to live life in the moment--and oh the fun moments that can be stolen when she's away from her parents' watchful eyes. Her bad boy of the moment is Angelo Moretti, but he may be more than she can handle. 

Annamaria Rossi, a dutiful oldest daughter, a woman as obedient as can be on the outside, but on the inside she's longing to rebel. For what Annamaria wants more than anything is a life of her own, a family of her own. She's been told, been taught, that she cannot marry until her parents have died. For as the oldest, it is her job, her duty, her privilege, to care for her parents as long as they live. Why does she have to be the only responsible one in the family? So when she falls in love--with the boy from the wrong side of the street--she'll have a difficult choice to make!

Luciana Conti offers the most drama perhaps. For her father was murdered, and she knows his murderer, and he too has settled in Boston! Her life could be at danger if he discovers that she is there. She finds refuge in her work--for it is the first time she's had to work--what she didn't expect was to fall in love with one of the client's sons!

I loved this one. I just absolutely LOVED it. I loved each of our heroines. I enjoyed the three young narrators very much. While there were some dramatic moments, there were plenty of lighter moments as well. Moments that were sweet and satisfying and oh-so-right. (Personally, I loved Annamaria's romance the best. I loved how she fell for the boy on the wrong side of the street, a Sicilian shopkeeper's son, Rafaello Zanfini. I loved watching this romance blossom. It was just wonderful!!!) I also enjoyed learning more about Madame Fortier--a woman with a sad past doing the best she can.

I thought the book worked really well. I found it fascinating and satisfying. I would definitely recommend this one!!!

© 2011 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Hearts Aglow

Hearts Aglow. (Striking a Match #2) Tracie Peterson. 2011. Bethany House. 368 pages.

"Deborah, wake up! Deborah hurry!"

Deborah, our heroine, has dreams of becoming a doctor. A dream encouraged and supported by Dr. Christopher Clayton, her love interest. But Deborah knows that this journey won't be an easy one, for there are many who believe that women should not be doctors. And that's not all her town is small-minded about. No, Deborah is shocked and angered by her town's lack of concern over racial violence. There are a group of men (in white sheets presumably) terrorizing local blacks--including the blacks that work for the family, that work in the family's lumber business. Sissy is part of the family--there's never been a time she wasn't considered such. So when her husband and son are murdered--lynched--and when she herself is beaten close to death,  the Vandermark family is rightly angered. But is there a way to bring the case to justice? It doesn't seem likely. Not that Deborah is willing to accept that as an answer. And that's just one of many injustices presented in the newest title in the series. There is plenty of conflict, plenty of drama.

Hearts Aglow is the sequel to Embers of Love. This historical romance is set in Texas in the 1880s.

I would say the jacket description/jacket summary is quite misleading! It's not that I didn't recognize it as the book I read--but it took a bit of stretching to get it there!

Did I love it? No. Do I have to love every book I read? No! I enjoyed it enough to keep reading. It may not be--for me--an oh-so-magical read, but for the right reader, this one may prove quite satisfying.

© 2011 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

A Bond Never Broken

A Bond Never Broken. Judith Miller. 2011. Bethany House. 384 pages.

I had failed. There was no other way to justify our presence at the train station. 

Racial tension plays a role in Judith Miller's latest set in 1917/18. Hatred against Germans is running high, and violent 'patriotic' groups are on the rise too. War has a way of changing things even in Amana Colonies. A Bond Never Broken is narrated by two young women. Jutta Schmidt is returning to Amana Colonies under false pretenses. Her family who owns a bakery in Marengo, Iowa, has been threatened by the Iowa Council of National Defense (American Protective League). They could lose everything--including their freedom, their lives--if Jutta doesn't turn spy and report on the 'unpatriotic' activities of the Amana Colonists. Ilsa Redlich, the second narrator, is the daughter of the owners of the local hotel, the hotel that comes to employ Jutta. She's upset by the war--the fact that her brother has joined the army, the fact that the man she is to marry might be drafted at any time. Their friendship is built on a lie--but it may just prove true and strong nonetheless. For there is someone who poses a danger to the town...and together they may just discover it in time.

A Bond Never Broken is the third in Judith Miller's Daughters of Amana series. The first two titles are Somewhere to Belong and More Than Words. Though these books are part of a series. Each does stand alone. There are different narrators for each, and they're set in different time periods: 1870s, 1880s, 1910s.

© 2011 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Operation Bonnet

Operation Bonnet. Kimberly Stuart. 2011. David C. Cook. 272 pages.

I didn't set out to be the town luminary. True, there wasn't exactly a lot of competition in Casper. 

Set in Casper, Ohio, Nellie Monroe, an amateur private-detective, stars in Kimberly Stuart's Operation Bonnet. Her first client, Amos Shetler, is still getting adjusted to his new life. He left the Amish community because he felt he just didn't belong, but the truth is, he hasn't found exactly how to belong in the "English" community either. (Watching Gidget marathons probably isn't helping!) He is still in love with an Amish girl, Katie, but he fears that he'll never see her again. And even if she still loves him, how would their relationship ever be able to work? He's heard that Katie is being courted by John Yoder. And he's very jealous. He wants Nellie to learn if Katie is indeed going to marry this other guy. Nellie thrilled to have her very first case isn't quite sure how to go about it. But. Surely the first step is to try to find a way into the Amish community? But Nellie doesn't exactly "blend" well no matter her location. So expect a very messy comedy of misunderstandings...

The novel also spends a little time on Nellie's personal life. Primarily her loving relationship with her grandmother and her relationship with her best friend, Matt. As soon as Matt's name is mentioned, readers almost know with certainty, that he must surely be in love with her--that he has been in love with her for many, many years. And that Nellie is indeed truly clueless about love. But while there are certainly predictable elements within Operation Bonnet, this novel is so quirky that it almost works.

Operation Bonnet reminded me of Jane Austen's Emma. There is just something so clueless about Nellie. While many readers may enjoy Nellie's adventures (and misadventures), I found them slightly irritating. It wasn't so much that I disliked the book--its story, or its characters--I just felt a slight disconnect.

© 2011 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Serendipity

Serendipity. Cathy Marie Hake. 2011. Bethany House. 352 pages.

"Hoo-oo-ie, she's het up!"
Margaret Rose shook a spatula at the men in her kitchen.
"If you plan to eat supper, you'll not be egging him on."
All three bearded jaws dropped.
"I mean it." Never once had she made that threat. In her five years of cooking and caring for a baker's dozen ragtag of old men, Maggie managed to tolerate plenty. Love made it easy to dote on them and overlook blunders. Most often, her "uncles" showered her with affection, appreciation, and endless amusement. Today, however, was different. 

Why is Margaret Rose so bothered? Well, the subject of marriage has come up. One of her "uncles" wants her to know that when her "groom" shows up, it's okay for her to leave them behind. To make a new life for herself, to have a home of her own. Fact is, she's the only girl, the only woman, in her (small) community of Carver's Holler. And it's her "job" to take care of everyone. She doesn't believe that any potential "groom" will appear at her door, that they'll come a handsome stranger ready to propose marriage. But chapter two holds a few surprises.

A man, Todd Valmer, is on his way back home to his ranch in Gooding, Texas, with his mother when she gets sick. Margaret Rose is his mother's best chance--as unlikely as that seems--she is able to see that the woman has had a stroke. And she agrees to nurse her until the next train goes through. During that week, Todd sees just how amazing Margaret Rose is. And she has a chance to see just how swoon-worthy he is. But can he convince her that he's worth marrying in such a short amount of time? Will the potential of love, of happily ever after, be enough to convince Margaret Rose to leave her home, her family, her friends, to take a chance on a struggling rancher?

I liked this one. I liked this couple. I liked the struggles these two have with one another after their married. Among other things sharing a one-room house with the mother--the partially paralyzed, understandably bitter mother. She may be thankful (in her own way) for the temporary nursing of a stranger. But. She does not think that Margaret Rose is good enough for her son. She is angry, bitter, and scared. And if Margaret Rose can keep her temper when she's provoked time and time again, it might just be a miracle. But while caring for his mother--in such a small home--may be one big issue, it's not the only issue. The truth is Todd doesn't know Margaret that well. And she doesn't know him. And this getting-to-know-you business can be a little tricky. There are so many opportunities to be misunderstood. I liked the commitment these two made to one another. I liked how this romance focused on the marriage itself.

The novel is set in Arkansas and Texas in 1893. It's narrated by Todd, Margaret, and Helga (the mother).

© 2011 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Courting Miss Amsel

Courting Miss Amsel. Kim Vogel Sawyer. 2011. Bethany House. 346 pages.

This certainly isn't the way I imagined it.

Set in Walnut Hill, Nebraska, in 1882, Courting Miss Amsel is about the story of a young woman's first teaching job. When the year begins, Miss Amsel--Miss Edythe Amsel--is so enthusiastic, so passionate, about her new job. She's thrilled to have this opportunity. But. The job isn't without its challenges--as you can imagine.

Chances are if you've read a "teacher" book in the past--in the historical fiction genre--you know what to expect. You probably expect a single man (either an uncle or a widower) raising children on his own (usually boys, though not always) to fall head over heels with the new school teacher. How wonderful that this beautiful woman has such a big heart, that she has already taken a liking to his children. How great it would be if she could mother them full-time. But. The path to love--even in these types of books--rarely comes easily. You probably expect there to be one student-an older boy--who just doesn't get it, who thinks his job is to bully the new teacher out of town. Add in a few uncooperative parents and there you have it.

Courting Miss Amsel does not disappoint. I, for one, don't mind predictability. Not when it means another chance for a satisfying read. If I love a formula--really love a formula--then I don't mind reading it again and again and again.

While I didn't love Miss Amsel--a bit too stubborn for me--I did enjoy her story--her romance. I liked the romantic hero, Joel Townsend. I liked his two nephews, Robert and Johnny. I liked Mrs. Kinley, Miss Amsel's landlady. I liked many of the people in town--though not all of them. Courting Miss Amsel may not be for every reader, but I certainly enjoyed it!

© 2011 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

The Girl in the Gatehouse

The Girl in the Gatehouse. Julie Klassen. 2011. [January 2011]. Bethany House. 400 pages.

The end of the only life I've known, thought Mariah Aubrey, looking back through the carriage window at the shrinking figures of her mother and sister.

Our heroine, Mariah Aubrey, has a ruined reputation. For the sake of her family, for the sake of her younger sister, she has been kicked out of her home. Taking Dixon, her former nurse, she has taken refuge in the gatehouse on her Aunt Fran's estate. Mrs. Prin-Hallsey isn't so welcoming as to include her fallen niece into her company, into her society, but she has given her a place to stay. The two do come to an understanding, however, before her aunt's death. Her aunt has entrusted her with a chest to 'hide' in the attic of the gatehouse.

Hugh Prin-Hallsey, the step-son of her aunt, is NOT happy with the arrangement, with the charity being shown to Miss Aubrey. He determines that if she is to remain, she must pay rent--high rent at that. For, he desperately needs money. He even leases the estate for several months to a naval officer, Captain Matthew Bryant. (Captain Bryant would LOVE to buy the estate. He hopes that by proving his wealth, his worth, he can win the love of a beautiful young woman, Isabella.)

So what's a young woman to do when she needs to earn some money? Well, if you're as creative as Miss Aubrey, you decide to try to publish the novel you've secretly been writing. You decide that writing novels may be just the thing for your new life, your new beginning. But will it be easy to keep her writing a secret from those around her--from Mr. Prin-Hallsey, from Captain Bryant? What would they think of her if they knew the truth?

I enjoyed The Girl in the Gatehouse. I enjoyed the characters. I particularly liked Dixon and Martin. (Martin is the servant of her aunt; though he's one-handed, his worth cannot be measured.) If I had to pick a favorite character--besides the heroine, of course--it would be Martin for he truly surprised me. I wasn't thrilled with Captain Bryant as a romantic hero--he was no Captain Wentworth--but I liked him well enough. (After all, few naval officers could hope to compete with Wentworth!)

I have read and reviewed several Julie Klassen novels: The Apothecary's Daughter, The Silent Governess, Lady of Milkweed Manor. (My favorite was Lady of Milkweed Manor.)

© 2011 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews