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.*

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.***

Spring Reading Thing Progress Report

So far I've read Judge and Tempest in the White City. Not very impressive so far but I'm hitting the beach in May and get some of my best reading done with my feet in the water =)







 I'm currently reading A Light in the Window, The Heiress of Winterwood and A Noble Groom. All are great books by fantastic authors! After that I plan to start Swept Away and The Boleyn King.

Spring Reading Thing 2013

Here's the original post. The Challenge runs from March 20th through June 20th.

My Goal

 I love reading challenges and am looking forward to all of these books! Aren't those some beautiful covers?

I've decided to push myself this spring and go for 31 books. I better kick it into hyper drive!

So Shines The Night Blog Tour: Review And Giveaway

About the book:

So Shines the Night  by Tracy L. Higley

Seven Wonders: Book 5

Thomas Nelson

  On an island teetering at the brink of anarchy, Daria finds hope among people of The Way.

She escaped a past of danger and found respite in beautiful Ephesus, a trading center of the Aegean coast, serving as tutor to Lucas, the wealthy merchant who rescued her. 

But the darkness she fled has caught up with her.

The high priests of Artemis once controlled the city, but a group of sorcerers are gaining power. And a strange group who call themselves followers of The Way further threaten the equilibrium. As Daria investigates Lucas's exploits into the darker side of the city, her life is endangered, and she takes refuge in the strange group of believers. She's drawn to Paul and his friends, even as she wrestles with their teachings.

When authorities imprison Lucas for a brutal crime, Daria wonders if even Paul's God can save him. Then she uncovers a shocking secret that could change everything - Lucas's fate, her position in his household, and the outcome of the tension between pagans and  Christians. But only if she survives long enough to divulge what she knows.

My review:

So Shines the Night begins in Rhodes, near the eerie ruins of the Colossus. Daria, an well educated woman used to relying on her wits and will to make her way in life, finds herself on the wrong side of a sect of sorcerers. Lucas, a wealthy merchant with a tragic past, has come to Rhodes on a quest for vengeance. On an impulse, Daria decides to accompany Lucas to his home in Ephesus to tutor him in Persian, but soon finds not all evil can be outrun.

Daria, widowed at a young age, has always relied on her keen mind and logical thinking. So, when her dark past catches up with her and she finds herself faced with spiritual forces, both good and bad, she has trouble accepting that some things are beyond her ability to understand. She is a likable heroine her instant chemistry with Lucas adds great tension and just the right amount of romance to the story. When Daria learns of a string of murders that began with Lucas's wife, she is determined to unravel the mystery and convince him to end his involvement with a group of sorcerers. The novel had the feel of an ancient times Nancy Drew mystery, with plenty of sleuthing and a dramatic conclusion you will never see coming.

Higley has long been one of my favorite authors and she did not disappoint with the new, much anticipated release. I'll be eagerly waiting for the final two books in the Seven Wonders series and inthe mean time, will read anything Higley writes. I would recommend this author to anyone who enjoys their historical fiction with healthy doses of mystery and action, as well as a little romance!

*** I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.0***

!!!Giveaway!!!

Enter Tracy's giveaway for a $50 Amazon or Barnes & Noble giftcard!