Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Review: A Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund



 About the book:

A Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund
Bethany House


Let me start by saying I can tell how time and research Jody Hedlund put into this story. I started the book knowing next to nothing about German immigrants in Michigan during this time period and the author did a wonderful job of informing without taking away from the beautiful story. This was my first read by this author and now I cannot wait to dive into her previous three novels.

A Noble Groom is the story of Annalisa Werner, a young widow with a lot on her plate and Carl von Reichert, an entitled nobleman with secrets to keep. When her husband is found murdered, Annalisa is left with a infant daughter to raise, crops to be planted and a short amount of time to pay off the large loan on her farmland. Carl is sent by her uncle to help keep the farm afloat while hiding from false murder charges.       

To say Carl is unused to manual labor would be an understatement! He starts the novel with a great deal of pride in his status and feels as though farm work and these people are beneath him but, he grows so much during his time with Annalisa.

Annalisa has always been meek and obedient, everything she thinks a woman ought to be. She may tell her daughter plenty of fairytales but she’s given up on real love. Carl’s views on women and his treatment of her and her daughters are completely different from anything she’s ever known. She grows a great deal as a character as well and eventually finds the strength to stand up for herself and open herself up to love.

This is an absolute must read and just may find itself on my best reads of 2013 list!

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.*

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Review: Swept Away by Mary Connealy



 
About the book:

Swept Away by Mary Connealy
Trouble in Texas: Book 1
Bethany House

Luke Stone is a cowboy on a mission and that mission involves a Texas sized dose of revenge.   The Civil War is over and Luke is on his way back to Broken Wheel, Texas to reclaim his father’s ranch that was stolen by the malicious Flint Greer. When Luke finds Ruthy unconscious in the river he has no choice but to take her along for the ride.

Ruthy MacNeil is hard working and feisty. Orphaned at a young age she was taken in by the Reinhardts, who had anything but Ruthy’s well-being on their minds. She has spent the last few years of her life serving as the Reinhardt’s personal slave and fighting off advances from Virgil Reinhardt. Suffice it to say, she is just fine with being separated from her “family” in a flash flood.
 
Swept Away was a fast paced, enjoyable read that kept me turning pages till the last gun was holstered. Mary Connealy certainly knows how to weave together action, humor and a few handsome cowboys! A Wild West shoot out never hurts does it? The best part of this book, however, had to be the strong band of supporting characters. I fell in love instantly with sarcastic Dr. Dare Riker, Pastor Jonas Cahill, slick lawyer Vince Yates and Texas Ranger Big John Conroy. I’m looking forward to the rest of the series to hear more from these wonderful characters. I would recommend Swept Away for anyone who loves an exciting western read with plenty of action.

***I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.***