New Releases: A Match of Wits

Book Title: A Match of Wits
Publishing Date: July 1, 2014

A little bit about the book:
After his departure from New York two years ago to meet up with his almost-fiancĂ©, Zayne Beckett is the last person Agatha Watson wanted to stumble upon in her travels as a reporter with the New York Tribune. Quite pathetically bedraggled, he clearly needs to be taken in hand and sent back East to his family. Although she no longer has feelings for him, Agatha realizes, by hook or by crook, she’ll have to be the one to get the obstinate man home.

Zayne has no desire to be taken anywhere and is prepared to drag his heels all the way home… until he finds himself slipping back into the familiar banter of his former friendship with Agatha. Once they arrive in New York, Zayne realizes Agatha’s determined nose for news has earned her a few enemies, and he hopes to repay her help with some help of his own. When she rebuffs all his attempts to prove himself a knight in shining armor, the lengths to which they’ll go to win this battle of wills lead to some memorable antics.
Everyone else may think them a match, but nothing could be further from the truth–until Agatha finds herself in real trouble. Have these two stubborn, too-smart-for-their-own-good people been meant for each other all along?

My thoughts on this book: Before coming across this book, I had never heard of Jen Turano. After reading A Match of Wits, and enjoying it SO much, I've been in the process of reading her others; especially the rest of this series, Ladies of Distinction. Jen Turano has a knack for making her books hilariously funny. Agatha and her pet pig were a comical duo and their interaction with others was fun to read.

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Note: I received this book through NetGalley. http://netgalley.com

Time in the Limelight with Priscilla White & Eli Ernest

 
The Story
Priscilla White knows she'll never be a wife or mother and feels God's call to the mission field in India. Dr. Eli Ernest is back from Oregon Country only long enough to raise awareness of missions to the natives before heading out West once more. But then Priscilla and Eli both receive news from the mission board: No longer will they send unmarried men and women into the field.

Left scrambling for options, the two realize the other might be the answer to their needs. Priscilla and Eli agree to a partnership, a marriage in name only that will allow them to follow God's leading into the mission field. But as they journey west, this decision will be tested by the hardships of the trip and by the unexpected turnings of their hearts.
 
 (from the cover of The Doctor's Lady)
Brief Physical Description:

Priscilla White is a devoted young woman with her heart leading her to the mission field. She has beautiful golden, blonde hair and gray/blue eyes framed by long lashes. She is mostly gentle and soft-spoken but occasionally her determination gives her a fiery disposition.

Eli Ernest studied to become a doctor with the intentions of bringing healing to others. He has tan skin from being constantly in the outdoors and his eyes are the color of blue winter skies. A thin scar is faintly seen from the corner of his left eye down to his cheek. He has a strong resolve and willpower in things he is passionate about.

Character Traits:

Priscilla's strongest trait is probably determination. Most of that is directed towards the mission field. She loves to sing hymns and to others she has the voice of an angel. She is gentle and sweet with a natural ability for teaching.

To those who don't know him well Eli seems gruff but his compassionate spirit is definitely seen in his care for patients. Like Priscilla, he feels a strong call as a missionary. His passion is doctoring and through his travels he's become a skillful woodsman.

Occupations:

Priscilla is the daughter of a fairly wealthy family in New York. She teaches school to the town's children-a job she loves. She has also been training to become a missionary to India. When the mission board refuses to accept single people she marries Eli Ernest and heads west instead.

Eli is a doctor by trade but has been called to be a missionary to the Indians. He intends to use his skill as a doctor to share God's love and care with those who have never heard the Gospel.  Having been out West, Eli sees the Indians' plight and starts whole-heartedly into helping them. But when the mission board changes their mind on accepting him Eli realizes he must find a wife. At first he is uninterested in Priscilla, but when a lack of options forces his hand he makes an agreement with her--they will marry in name only. At first all is well with this partnership but when their feelings for each other change will Eli and Priscilla be united in love or is it too late?

Note: The Doctor's Lady is loosely based on the accounts of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman.

Hearts of Faith Series / Book 2

This week's book is called The Doctor's Lady and is the second in our current series. Actually, it should have been last week's book but I was really busy last week. I've found that as you grow up the time seems to slip by faster. When I was in the single digits I never to seemed to lack time. Now, in my teens, it's like the days are passing by in a hurried blur. I used to think Friday, (my favorite day of the week then, because we got to stay up late and play games as a family) never came soon enough. I don't think that thought much anymore.


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Hopefully I will have the next Time in the Limelight posted tomorrow but if not then definitely by Sunday. The characters will be Priscilla White and Eli Ernest from The Doctor's Lady.
 
Have a great "rest of the week"!
.



Book Title: The Doctor's Lady
Author: Jody Hedlund
Series: Hearts of Faith (Book #2)

Description: Priscilla White knows she'll never be a wife or mother and feels God's call to the mission field in India. Dr. Eli Ernest is back from Oregon Country only long enough to raise awareness of missions to the natives before heading out West once more. But then Priscilla and Eli both receive news from the mission board: No longer will they send unmarried men and women into the field.

Left scrambling for options, the two realize the other might be the answer to their needs. Priscilla and Eli agree to a partnership, a marriage in name only that will allow them to follow God's leading into the mission field. But as they journey west, this decision will be tested by the hardships of the trip and by the unexpected turnings of their hearts.



My Review: When I learned that this book was based on the life of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman, missionaries to the Oregon Indians, I was excited to read it. Once I started the book I couldn't put it down and finished it rather quickly. Jody Hedlund's writing gave a nice glimpse into what it was probably like to travel west in the nineteenth century. It's almost impossible nowadays to imagine the difficulties involved. I especially liked The Doctor's Lady because it was historically-based and a Christian fiction/romance--an all around well written book.

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Would I recommend this book: Yes. Especially for others like me who enjoy books written with: an nineteenth century theme, historical base, romance, and an interesting plot.

*Note: The Doctor's Lady is loosely based on the life and accounts of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman. For more information read the author's note at the end of the book.

New Releases: The Pelican Bride

Book Title: The Pelican Bride
Publishing Date: April 15, 2014

A little bit about the book:
It is 1704 when Genevieve Gaillain and her sister board a French ship headed for the Louisiana colony as mail-order brides. Both have promised to marry one of the rough-and-tumble Canadian men in this New World in order to escape religious persecution in the Old World. Genevieve knows life won't be easy, but at least here she can establish a home and family without fear of beheading. But when she falls in love with Tristan Lanier, an expatriate cartographer whose courageous stand for fair treatment of native peoples has made him decidedly unpopular in the young colony, Genevieve realizes that even in this land of liberty one is not guaranteed peace. And a secret she harbors could mean the undoing of the colony itself.

Gulf Coast native Beth White brings vividly to life the hot, sultry south in this luscious, layered story of the lengths we must go to in order to be true to ourselves, our faith, and our deepest loves.


My thoughts on this book: The Pelican Bride was a nice book but I found it a little dry. Mainly because there were so many historical facts intertwined into the story. I felt like I couldn't take it all in and so the events were a little confusing to me. I did like the two characters Genevieve and Tristan but I also felt their relationship with each other was strained. Overall, I was glad I read the book but it is not one of my absolute favorites.

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐

Note: I received this book through NetGalley.
http://netgalley.com

Time in the Limelight with Elizabeth Whitbread & John Costin

 

 
Anna Selezneva (my view of Elizabeth)
Brief Physical Description:

Elizabeth Whitbread is a young Puritan woman. She has always believed herself to be unattractive but others are willing to disagree. She has wispy dark blonde hair and gray eyes full of emotion and fire.

John Costin is a recently widowed preacher. He is strongly built with untamable red hair. His blue eyes are bright and quick to sparkle.
(sorry, no photo for him)

Character Traits:

Elizabeth is very compassionate and generous in helping with the needs of others. She is not easily swayed by others' opinions and determination is a strong point. She is a hard worker, not shirking away from her responsibilities. When Elizabeth feels called to do God's will she is devoted to the task. A quick wit gives her a special ability with words-a common trait she shares with John.

Like Elizabeth, John has a special way with words; which is why he makes such a great preacher. He is quick to find the humor in a situation and determined to share God's word; despite the consequences. 

Occupations:

Elizabeth is the daughter of a baker. She helps her father bake bread and deliver extra loaves to the poor. When John Costin becomes widowed with four small children Elizabeth becomes housekeeper for the family.

John was a tinker for many years before God called him to be a preacher. Although he stays very busy traveling to various cities and towns, he still finds time to work in his forge. He is the father of four children, the oldest being only eight and blind.

Note: The Preacher's Bride is loosely based on the account of John and Elizabeth Bunyan.

Hearts of Faith Series / Book 1

Hello everyone! Today is one of the first warm and sunny days we've had in almost a week. Yah! Besides writing this post my plans for the day consisted of mowing lawns, making dinner, and in the evening our family game night. We also hope to go swimming in our ponds later today. We went yesterday but it was pretty cold because of all the rain and lack of sun. I hope it will be warmer today than yesterday.

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The first "Time in the Limelight" will be posted tomorrow and is featuring the two main characters in today's book, Elizabeth Whitbread and John Costin. Before I spoil anything about the book I will get on with the review. :)
 
Have a lovely weekend!

Author: Jody Hedlund
Series: Hearts of Faith (Book #1)

Description:
In 1650s England, a young Puritan maiden is on a mission to save the baby of her newly widowed preacher whether her assistance is wanted or not. Always ready to help those in need, Elizabeth ignores John's protests of her aid. She's even willing to risk her lone marriage prospect to help the little family. Yet Elizabeth's new role as nanny takes a dangerous turn when John's boldness from the pulpit makes him a target of political and religious leaders. As the preacher's enemies become desperate to silence him, they draw Elizabeth into a deadly web of deception. Finding herself in more danger than she ever bargained for, she's more determined than ever to save the child and man she's come to love.

My Review: The Preacher's Bride was slightly based on the life of John and Elizabeth Bunyan. It really made me think more about them and what their life might have been like. Jody Hedlund portrays John and Elizabeth with a quick mind and sense of humor so their conversations were fun to read. I appreciated how both of the characters had a strong determination to do what was right and what God called them to do even with opposition. The Preacher's Bride was encouraging and inspirational-a wonderful book.

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Would I recommend this book? Yes. This was a great book--encouraging, with a nice amount of suspense, adventure, and romance.