A Silken Thread by Kim Vogel Sawyer

A Silken Thread will be released April 2 and is available for pre-order HERE!

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Eighteen-year-old Laurel Millard, youngest of seven children, is expected to stay home and "take care of Mama" by her older siblings, but Laurel has dreams of starting her own family.

MY THOUGHTS:

It’s been quite a while since I read a KVS book, but she quickly reminded me why I like her so much!

The setting is the Atlanta Exposition in 1895, which I loved learning about! I googled several items of interest that I found in the story. I love when that happens and that’s why I enjoy historical fiction so much! A little - or a lot of! -learning in a story setting!

Laurel finds a job weaving silk in the Women's Building, which is not looked upon kindly by many locals who see it as a threat to their local cotton.

Add in Willie, a hard-working young man who desires to earn some extra money at the Exposition for his pa’s medical needs; Langdon, a rich boy who can’t please his father (and rightly so); Quincy, who has to learn that it’s not your outside that gives you respect; and a big, orange tabby (because anyone who knows even a little about KVS - she loves cats)!

This book was a little different - she gently wove in a bit more serious subject than some of her past books: racism. Luke 6:31, “As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.”

It was a perfect blend of characters and situations. I was both satisfied and challenged by A Silken Thread - and I think you will be, too!

Thank you to Kim and Waterbrook Multnomah through NetGalley for sending me a Kindle copy to read and review!

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**DISCLOSURE: I was given a complimentary product in exchange for an honest review. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Engraved on the Heart by Tara Johnson

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Reluctant debutante Keziah Montgomery lives beneath the weighty expectations of her staunch Confederate family, forced to keep her epilepsy secret for fear of a scandal. As the tensions of the Civil War arrive on their doorstep in Savannah, Keziah sees little cause for balls and courting. Despite her discomfort, she cannot imagine an escape from her familial confines—until her old schoolmate Micah shows her a life-changing truth that sets her feet on a new path . . . as a conductor in the Underground Railroad.

MY THOUGHTS:
The last few months have been so very busy for me, and it has been hard to find time to read. When I am able to carve out some time to indulge in a book, I have found that the last few I have chosen haven't captured my attention from the get-go, and I plod the remaining way through the story.

Whoa! Not Engraved on the Heart! What an amazing debut novel by Tara!! I sat down to start the book, and I must have been interrupted by a child, but as I checked my Kindle, I was 29% through the book! By my criteria, that must mean a good 'un! I was totally captivated by Tara's descriptions and characters, and she swept me right into the heart of the story without any effort on my part.

Engraved on the Heart had everything I love in a Civil War setting: the conflict, the suspense, the fear, the courage, the love! Tara captured it all, and I would definitely pick up her next book...whatever it is!

I don't want to give spoilers, but the fight climax had some confusing issues. I couldn't quite figure out how it actually occurred (because of the disability of one of the characters) or was resolved...but, the rest of the book was too good to wonder about it for too very long.

Well done, Tara! I loved it!

Thank you to Tara and Tyndale Blog Network for sending me a copy to read and review!

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**DISCLOSURE: I was given a complimentary product in exchange for an honest review. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

An Uncommon Protector by Shelley Shepard Gray

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Overwhelmed by the responsibilities of running a ranch on her own, Laurel Tracey decides to hire a convict—a man who’s just scary enough to take care of squatters and just desperate enough to agree to a one year post.

MY THOUGHTS:
I thought the idea behind this story was a great one -- single girl with a ranch in danger hires a jailbird to protect the property. Obviously, her surrounding neighbors and townspeople think this is a bad idea.

Lots of other things happen in the story: irritable step siblings who want Laurel to sell, a neighbor intent on marrying Laurel, sinister sabotage of the ranch and its animals... all make for a great story.

However, An Uncommon Protector read kind of slow for me. I also found it odd that for that time period, both Laurel and Thomas were ok with him sleeping in a guest room. The book was ok...it just wasn't a 'couldn't put down' kind of read for me, unfortunately.


Thank you to Shelley and Zondervan through NetGalley for sending me a copy to read and review!

Did you find my review helpful? Please rate it on Amazon and Christianbook.



**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

A Thousand Shall Fall by Andrea Boeshaar

ABOUT THE BOOK:

A story of love, hope, and healing set in the

midst of the Civil War.

Nineteen-year-old Carrie Ann Bell is independent and spirited. The only thing she really fears are the Union soldiers fighting against her Confederate friends. When her youngest sister runs away from home, brave Carrie Ann is determined to find her and bring her back. Disguised as a soldier, she sets off---only to find she's fallen into the hands of the enemy.

Her childhood friend Confederate Major Joshua Blevins has warned her against these Yankees: they're all devils, ready to inflict evil on unsuspecting young women. When Colonel Peyton Collier arrests her for her impersonation of an officer, it seems to confirm all her fears.

Soon, though, she finds herself drawn to the handsome, gallant colonel. He rescued her, protected her, and has been every inch the gentleman. Carrie Ann discovers that her foe has become her ally---and more than that, someone she could love. But the arrival of Joshua in the Union camp as a spy will test her loyalties. Will she protect someone who has been like family or be loyal to this stranger to whom she wants to offer her heart? When her world is being torn apart around her, whom should she trust?

MY THOUGHTS:
A Thousand Shall Fall was a bit of a slow book for me. The last third of the book picked up, and I was anxious to read to the end; however, it didn't feel like other books I've read of Andrea's. I wished the beginning had more depth or background to many of the characters and situations.

I know it must be hard to write a book without having too much information. Too much can make the reading tedious. Nonetheless, I would have enjoyed a longer book with a bit more detail to Carrie Ann's younger years (the fire, her relationship with Joshua), and a little more background on Peyton. I liked Carrie Ann and Peyton, but I never really felt their initial attraction in the pages.

Still, by the end, I liked the overall story and especially enjoyed the time Carrie Ann was at Aunt Ruth's house. Will I read book 2 (about Carrie Ann's sister, Margaret)? Probably. I hope a few things from book 1 will also be resolved.

That's what I thought! Click HERE to see what other reviewers are saying!

Thank you to Andrea and Kregel through Litfuse for sending me a copy to read and review!

Did you find my review helpful? Please rate it on Amazon and Christianbook.



**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

The Last Heiress by Mary Ellis

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Bestselling author Mary Ellis (A Widow’s Hope) presents The Last Heiress, a new romantic standalone that intertwines the lives of a British manufacturing heiress and an American merchant caught in the turbulent time of the War Between the States.

MY THOUGHTS:
First of all, I really thought the cover of The Last Heiress was beautiful. I was also very interested in the Civil War time period.

However, The Last Heiress moved really slow for me. In fact, I got one-third of the way in and put it down. I didn't pick the book back up for over a week. I then restarted it and was able to feel a little more interest in the story. But, once I got past that same first third of the book, several pages dragged again.

I'm not sure if it was the plot or characters – likely a little of both. I could never tell if Jackson was good or bad? Perhaps just a spoiled, rich kid? Because he seemed to be a kind husband, but unpleasant in most all other dealings. Same with Abigail and Amanda – whom I had difficulty keeping straight! Sometimes sweet, sometimes snooty? (I guess we can all be like that...)

The war obviously disrupted Amanda's plans to acquire cotton, but I felt that that storyline ended too abruptly. She didn't seem to be busy finding other suppliers like she continued to claim she was in America for; instead, she was making excuses to meet up with Nate.

For me, The Last Heiress didn't quite match the beautiful cover. The story was too slow and choppy for me to enjoy.

Thank you to Mary and Harvest House through NetGalley for sending me a copy to read and review!

Did you find my review helpful? Please rate it on Amazon and Christianbook.



**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

A Most Inconvenient Marriage by Regina Jennings

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Abigail Stuart thought she was Jeremiah Calhoun's widow.
But Jeremiah Calhoun is very handsome, very alive, and very perplexed.

Most Inconvenient Indeed.

With few options of her own, nurse Abigail Stuart agrees to marry her patient, a gravely wounded soldier calling himself Jeremiah Calhoun. They arrange a quick ceremony before he dies, giving Abigail the rights to his Ozark farm and giving Jeremiah the peace of knowing someone will care for his ailing sister after he's gone--a practical solution for both of them.

After the war, Abigail fulfills her side of the bargain--until the real Jeremiah Calhoun shows up, injured but definitely alive, and wastes no time in challenging Abigail's story. Abigail is flummoxed. After months of claiming to be his widow, how can she explain that she's never seen this Jeremiah Calhoun before? How can she convince him that she isn't trying to steal his farm? And will she find a way to stay, even though this practical arrangement has turned into a most inconvenient marriage?

MY THOUGHTS:
I've read several of Regina's books, and I really enjoyed A Most Inconvenient Marriage. The twist of marrying the wrong man is not new, but having him die and the right man show up is!

Abigail was strong, but sweet...and Jeremiah was tough, but tender. Great leading characters. The supporting cast was likeable, too. A Most Inconvenient Marriage had all the right ingredients for a great story! If you enjoy mail-order bride type stories, you will want to pick up Regina's latest book!

Thank you to Regina and Bethany House through NetGalley for sending me a copy to read and review!

Did you find my review helpful? Please rate it on Amazon and Christianbook.



**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

The Brickmaker's Bride by Judith Miller

The Brickmaker's Bride by Judith Miller

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Yearning for a fresh start, Ewan McKay travels with his aunt and uncle from northern Scotland to West Virginia, promising to trade his skills in the clay business for financial assistance from his uncle Hugh. Hugh purchases a brickmaking operation from a Civil War widow and her daughter, but it's Ewan who gets the business up and running again. Ewan seeks help from Laura, the former owner's daughter, and he feels a connection with her, but she's being courted by another man---a lawyer with far more social clout and money than Ewan. Besides, Ewan has resolved he'll focus on making the brickmaking operation enough of a success that he can become a partner in the business and be able to afford to bring his sisters over from Scotland.

But when Hugh signs a bad business deal, all Ewan's hard work may come to naught. As his plans begin to crumble, Laura reveals something surprising. She and her mother may have a way to save the brickworks, and in turn Ewan may have another shot at winning Laura's heart.

MY THOUGHTS:
The 'Gone With the Wind' feel was lovely, and though I enjoy fiction full of historical detail, I felt a bit lost on understanding the brickmaking process as it didn't flow smoothly into the story at times. You can tell Judith did extensive research on the subject, and I can imagine how difficult it must be to pick and choose what to share in a book without it becoming overwhelming. Kudos for the effort!

I really liked Laura. She was very knowledgeable in her family's business, but she wasn't disrespectful or pushy. I liked Ewan, too. He was a hard worker, and you couldn't help but sympathize with him over his relationship with his Uncle. Oh, and Uncle Hugh... there's always a character like him, in real life or not! Someone who feels entitled to greatness – but expects everyone else to get him there. Although, I think Judith's conclusion of Uncle Hugh was very satisfying! The Lord changes us when we let Him!

The story did drag at times for me (mostly the detailed brick descriptions), but overall, another historical by Judith Miller that I enjoyed reading!

That's what I thought! Click HERE to see what other reviewers are saying!

Thank you to Judith and Bethany House through Litfuse for sending me a copy to read and review!

Did you find my review helpful? Please rate it on Amazon and Christianbook.



**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**