New Releases: The Lady and the Officer

Book Title: The Lady and the Officer
Publishing Date: August 1, 2014

A little bit about the book:
Bestselling author Mary Ellis (A Widow’s Hope) presents The Lady and the Officer, Book 2 of her new Civil War historical romance series, which tells the stories of brave women and the men who love them.

Serving for a brief time as a nurse after the devastating battle of Gettysburg, Madeline Howard saves the life of Elliot Haywood, a colonel in the Confederate Home Guard. But even though Maddy makes her home in the South, her heart and political sympathies belong to General James Downing, a soldier from the North.

However, Colonel Haywood has never forgotten the beautiful nurse, and when he unexpectedly meets her again in Richmond, he is determined to win her. But while rubbing elbows with army officers and cavalry generals and war department officials in her aunt and uncle’s palatial home, Maddy overhears plans for a Confederate attack in northern Virginia. She knows passing along this information may save the life of her beloved James, but at what cost? Can she really betray the trust of her family and friends?

Maddy’s heart is pulled between wanting to be loyal to those who care for her and wanting to help the man she believes is on the right side of the conflict. Two men love her. Will her faith in God show her the way to a bright future, or will her choices bring a devastation of their own?

My Review: I'm pretty sure everyone has heard the saying "don't judge a book by it's cover" but despite knowing this I almost did. I didn't expect the book to be of much quality seeing the cover looked pretty cheaply done to me but I am so glad I actually decided to read the book. The Lady and the Officer definitely excelled over my expectations and I really enjoyed reading the story. I liked the morals of the main characters in the book and the Civil-War era theme. I will definitely looking be forward to more books written by Mary Ellis.

My Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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

New Releases: With Every Breath

Book Title: With Every Breath
Publishing Date: August 5, 2014

A little bit about the book: In the shadow of the nation's capital, Kate Livingston's respectable life as a government worker is disrupted by an encounter with the insufferable Trevor McDonough, the one man she'd hoped never to see again. A Harvard-trained physician, Trevor never showed the tiniest flicker of interest in Kate, and business is the only reason he has sought her out now.

Despite her misgivings, Kate agrees to Trevor's risky proposal to join him in his work to find a cure for tuberculosis. As Kate begins to unlock the mysteries of Trevor's past, his hidden depths fascinate her. However, a shadowy enemy lies in wait and Trevor's closely guarded secrets are darker than she ever suspected.

As revelations from the past threaten to destroy their careers, their dreams, and even their lives, Trevor and Kate find themselves in a painfully impossible situation. With everything to lose, they must find the strength to trust that hope and love can prevail over all.

My Review: This was an interesting book about two characters determined to find a cure for tuberculosis, a dreaded and fatal disease in that time-period. I liked the interaction between Kate and Trevor, who in high school were competitors instead of friends. As they put aside their differences and worked together they discovered more about each other and it was exciting for the reader to learn about them too. Along with the main theme of the book (finding a cure for tuberculosis), there was romance and a stimulating plot that drew me into the story. Overall, it was a great book and one that I would recommend.


My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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

The Colonel's Lady: A Novel

Good morning. Instead of starting a new series this week I've decided just to review a singular book. It's called The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz and it takes place during the Revolutionary War in the unsettled land of Kentucky. 

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I've just recently come across this author but already I've read almost all of her books. I believe I have two left; one sitting on my shelf right now and the other to be published in a couple weeks.

Book Title: The Colonel's Lady
Author: Laura Frantz

Description:
In 1779, when genteel Virginia spinster Roxanna Rowan arrives at the Kentucky fort commanded by Colonel Cassius McLinn, she finds that her officer father has died. Penniless and destitute, Roxanna is forced to take her father's place as scrivener. Before long, it's clear that the colonel himself is attracted to her. But she soon realizes the colonel has grave secrets of his own--some of which have to do with her father's sudden death. Can she ever truly love him?

Readers will be enchanted by this powerful story of love, faith, and forgiveness from reader favorite Laura Frantz. Her solid research and deft writing immerse readers in the world of the early frontier while her realistic characters become intimate friends.

My Review: I became engrossed with this book from the first couple chapters. After starting I had a hard time putting it down because I couldn't wait to find out how the story would unfold. I really liked how the story ended too. Sometimes I'm slightly disappointed with how a book ends but not with this one. Forgiveness was a big theme in this book-either from one another or from God. The Colonel's Lady was a great book with a great message.

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Would I recommend this book? Yes, I would. It had a nice message to it along with adventure, action, romance, and history.

Hearts of Faith / Book 3

Today was another beautiful, sunny day. We spent the afternoon wading at the beach in honor of my sister's birthday. It was so much fun! Our family hadn't gone there for a few years so my little brothers and sisters had a blast. Doing things with my family are some of my greatest memories.


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A note about today's book: Rebellious Heart is actually based on the life and courtship of John and Abigail Adams. Many parts in the book are fictitious, such as the smuggling and incidents with the British, but it is possible those things could have happened as they are in accordance with the character of John and Abigail.

Book Title: Rebellious Heart
Author: Jody Hedlund
Series: Hearts of Faith (Book #3)

Description: In 1763 Massachusetts, Susanna Smith has grown up with everything she's ever wanted, except one thing: an education. Because she's a female, higher learning has been closed to her, but her quick mind and quicker tongue never back down from a challenge. She's determined to put her status to good use, reaching out to the poor and deprived. And she knows when she marries well, she will be able to continue her work with the less fortunate.

Ben Ross grew up a farmer's son and has nothing to his name but his Harvard education. A poor country lawyer, he doesn't see how he'll be able to fulfill his promise to make his father proud of him. When family friends introduce him to the Smith family, he's drawn to quick-witted Susanna but knows her family expects her to marry well. When Susanna's decision to help an innocent woman no matter the cost crosses with Ben's growing disillusionment with their British rulers, the two find themselves bound together in what quickly becomes a very dangerous fight for justice.

My Review: This was probably my favorite book in this series. I really liked how Susanna and Ben were compassionate towards the innocent and poor. And how they were willing to sacrifice even those things which were most important to them. Rebellious Heart also gave a nice glimpse of life as opposition against England grew in the Colonies.  

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Would I recommend this book? Yes. This book is for anyone who likes novels with a Christian and historical theme, excitement, romance, and plenty of danger and adventure. (ages 15+)

*Note: Rebellious Heart is loosely based on the life and accounts of John and Abigail Adams. For more information read the author's note at the end of the book.