Searching for You

Despite years on the run, Sophie Neumann is determined to care for two young children. She won’t abandon them the way she thinks her older sisters abandoned her. But times are growing desperate, and when she falls in with the wrong crowd and witnesses a crime, she realizes fleeing 1850s New York is her only option.

Disappearing with her two young charges into a group of orphans heading west by train, Sophie hopes to find safety and a happy life. When the train stops in Illinois for the first placement of orphans, Sophie faces the most difficult choice of her life.

Reinhold Weiss has finally purchased his own small farm. With mounting debts, a harvest to bring in, and past scars that haunt him, he’s in no position to give his heart away . . . but can he say no when his long-lost friend shows up on a nearby train pleading for his help?

Published on December 4, 2018 by Bethany House

A wonderful ending to an amazing series…

I've been waiting for Reinhold's story since the very first book. A great guy deserves a happy ending and I hadn't imagined that it would be with Sophie. I thought the way the author used their pasts to create a future for them together was really well done. 

And I don't think I've loved a side character as much as I loved Euphemia! Her wisdom spoke volumes to me and that's what I love about Christian Fiction, and especially those by Jody Hedlund. I not only can enjoy a book guilt-free because I'm not filling my mind with empty things but I'm actually filling it with life lessons I can apply to my own life! 

My only downside to Searching for You was I had a hard time relating to Sophie… I just couldn't connect with her like I usually do to main characters. But that's just something that's different for every person and so if that's the only fault I could find with this book I'm pretty sure it's safe to say it's a winner! 

You won't regret the time you spend reading this book and especially the whole series!

★★★★

Thank you to Jody Hedlund for a copy of the book. All views expressed are my own.

Follow Jody Hedlund's board The Orphan Train Series.

Check out my reviews of the previous books in this series!

A desperate noblewoman, a rebellious peasant, and a forbidden love.

While fleeing an arranged betrothal to a heartless lord, Lady Isabelle becomes injured and lost. Rescued by a young peasant man, she hides her identity as a noblewoman for fear of reprisal from the peasants who are bitter and angry toward the nobility.

Cole Warwick cannot turn his back on a person in need and soon finds himself falling for Izzy, the gentle and beautiful runaway who is mending in his cottage. As the leader of an imminent uprising against the nobility, he tries to resist his growing feelings for Izzy to protect her from the dangerous life he’s chosen. But the longer she stays, the more he hopes she’ll never leave.

When Izzy’s true identity is revealed, Cole feels betrayed. With the rebellion underway, can Cole forgive Izzy and find a way to save her from an unhappy marriage? Or will he and his peasant army be destroyed before he has the chance to fight for the people and the woman he loves?

Published on September 4, 2018 by Northern Lights Press

One of my favorite aspects of this book was the character growth from Isabelle. The message of using the strengths and talents given to you by God and not trying to be like someone else is a positive and encouraging one that youth and adult alike benefit from.

What I love so much about Jody Hedlund's young adult series is the way she communicates to the heart of the reader. Her characters struggle with the real issues of youth today and as the reader enters the world of the hero/heroine the influence to make the right decisions and succeed against overwhelming odds is in every situation.

The romance aspect of this novel is captivating! It's written in a way that I would let my young sisters read without hesitation. I don’t have to worry about them reading something inappropriate but it’s not stuffy or boring either!

If you’re like me and love books with a story from an older time or if you’re looking for a book for a younger audience to read, then this is the book for you!

★★★★★

Thank you to Jody Hedlund for a copy of the book. All views expressed are my own.

Follow Jody Hedlund's board A Worthy Rebel.

Check out my reviews of the previous books in this series!

Marianne Neumann has one goal in life: to find her lost younger sister, Sophie. When Marianne takes a job as a placing agent with the Children’s Aid Society in 1858 New York, she not only hopes to give children a better life but seeks to discover whether Sophie ended up leaving the city on an orphan train.

Andrew Brady, her fellow agent on her first placing trip, is a former schoolteacher who has an easy way with the children–firm but tender and funny. Underneath his handsome charm, though, seems to linger a grief that won’t go away–and a secret from his past that he keeps hidden. As the two team up placing orphans amid small railroad towns in Illinois, they find themselves growing ever closer . . . until a shocking tragedy threatens to upend all their work and change one of their lives forever.

Published on May 1, 2018 by Bethany House

I know, I know I say this every time but it's completely true, Jody Hedlund seems to outdo her previous book with every new novel penned! There's no way I can pick a favorite from even this series alone because that's an impossible choice. When I pick up a new book by this author I know without a doubt that I'm going to love it. How so? With every chapter I am drawn further and further into the story. Once I start it takes an emergency, (pretty much house fire, broken bone type emergency) to pull me away. 

I wish I could explain why this book was so good! But the inability to express what I'm thinking into words is why I'm not a writer. All I know is that the chemistry between the two characters, the heart-compelling plot… it left me with a feeling of hope and inspiration for hours. I think that's when an author can know that they succeeded.

★★★★★

Thank you to Jody Hedlund and Bethany House for a copy of the book. All views expressed are my own.

Follow Jody Hedlund's board The Orphan Train.

Check out my reviews of the previous books in this series!

He’s taken her as his prisoner. But she’s holding his heart captive. In gaining their freedom, will they lose what matters most?

When Lady Olivia’s castle is besieged, she and her sister are taken captive and held for ransom by her father’s enemy, Lord Pitt. Loyalty to family means everything to Olivia. She’ll save her sister at any cost and do whatever her father asks—even if that means obeying his order to steal a sacred relic from her captor.

As Lord Pitt’s commander, Sir Aldric is in charge of the beautiful but feisty new prisoner. He has his hands full attempting to keep Lady Olivia out of trouble. When Lord Pitt throws her in the dungeon and threatens to hang her for stealing, Aldric conceives a plot to save Olivia’s life—betrothal to him.

Can Olivia give up the prestigious match her father has arranged with a wealthy marquess in order to marry a lowly knight like Aldric? And can Aldric move beyond his past mistakes to embrace love again? When loyalties are tested, they’re thrust into danger that could cost them their love and their lives.

With You Always

An Awakened Heart

For Love and Honor

A Daring Sacrifice

Meet Lady Rosemarie Montfort and Sir Derrick Harding

About the book:

Due to her parents' promise at her birth, Lady Rosemarie has been prepared to become a nun on the day she turns eighteen. Then, a month before her birthday, a friend of her father's enters the kingdom and proclaims her parents' will left a second choice--if Rosemarie can marry before the eve of her eighteenth year, she will be exempt from the ancient vow.

Before long, Rosemarie is presented with the three most handsome and brave knights in the land. But when the competition for her heart seemingly results in a knight playing foul, she begins to wonder if the convent is the best place after all. If only one of the knights--the one who appears the most guilty--had not already captured her heart.

from Jody Hedlund's Pinterest Board,
An Uncertain Choice. (Isabel Lucas)

Brief Physical Description:
Lady Rosemarie Montfort is a young woman on the verge of vowing celibacy and devotion to God on her eighteenth birthday; in accordance to a vow her parent's made before her birth. All will agree that Rosemarie is the most beautiful in the land with her golden blonde hair and fair complexion.

from Jody Hedlund's Pinterest Board,
An Uncertain Choice. (Max Irons)

Perhaps the best way to describe Sir Derrick Harding is through Rosemarie's view:
"...The knight's eyes were the gray color of burnished steel. His hair was a hazy blond, not at all like my pure golden strands, but tested, tried, and weathered by battles and elements from which I'd always been sheltered. The muscles in his face were as taut and well defined as the rest of his body. The only imperfection on his face was a scar alongside one of his eyes -- eyes that even now seemed to see past the walls that surrounded me and to the vulnerable young woman I really was..."
Sums him up pretty well, don't ya think?

Character Traits:
Rosemarie's most eminent trait is compassion. She is very tenderhearted and can't stand to see anyone suffer unduly. She struggles with making big decisions on her own but through Derrick's influence and God's guidance she prepares herself to become her land's ruler.

Derrick has many of the same traits as Rosemarie. Once you get to know him you will vouch that he has a soft side to him that is hidden to the eye. He may come off as apathetic at first but he is actually very loyal, noble, kind, daring, compassionate,...the list continues. Combine those with the thought of him being a real knight....every girl's dream guy, right? :P

Occupations:

Montfort Castle, Ashby
(from Jody Hedlund's Pinterest Board,
An Uncertain Choice)

At the death of her parents Lady Rosemarie Montfort became Ashby's ruler. Though young, she possesses wisdom beyond her years and a heart of kindness for her people. For the past fours years she has been preparing to enter the convent on her eighteenth birthday.

Sir Derrick Harding is a knight in the train of the Duke of Rivenshire. Not just any knight, but one of the three most noble and known for brave and valiant deeds. At the Duke's bidding, he competes with two other knights for the hand of Lady Rosemarie.

Noble Knights / An Uncertain Choice

Wow! Isn't that a great quote? So profound...While reading An Uncertain Choice you'll come across plenty more words of wisdom that you're sure to enjoy...

5 more days till the official start of the wonderful season of Summer! :)

Book Title: An Uncertain Choice 

Series: Noble Knights (Book 1)

Author: Jody Hedlund

Description:
Due to her parents' promise at her birth, Lady Rosemarie has been prepared to become a nun on the day she turns eighteen. Then, a month before her birthday, a friend of her father's enters the kingdom and proclaims her parents' will left a second choice--if Rosemarie can marry before the eve of her eighteenth year, she will be exempt from the ancient vow.

Before long, Rosemarie is presented with the three most handsome and brave knights in the land. But when the competition for her heart seemingly results in a knight playing foul, she begins to wonder if the convent is the best place after all. If only one of the knights--the one who appears the most guilty--had not already captured her heart.

My Review:
I wasn't exactly sure what Jody Hedlund's first YA book would be like. I wasn't at all hesitant to read it, mind you, just curious. It was awesome! The style was basically the same as her other books but the main character, Rosemarie, was a teenager on the verge of adulthood instead of the usual slightly-more-mature characters. It was "cleaner" too, not that her other books aren't clean, don't get me wrong, but in this book the characters never kissed until the epilogue after they married. I'm sure something that parents appreciate. :)

I loved how Jody portrayed her characters. Rosemarie, a beautiful, young woman learning to make decisions through God's guidance. Derrick, a humble and noble knight willing to stand against wrong. Collin, humorous and attentive (can't wait to read more about him). And Bennet, tall, dark, & handsome :P, with a personality I'm looking forward to learning about in full.

The plot was as exciting as the characters. It was filled with mystery, action & adventure, romance, and wisdom for all, young and old.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Follow Jody Hedlund's board Novel: An Uncertain Choice on Pinterest.

Noble Knights / Prequel to An Uncertain Choice

Today's book is The Vow, the prequel to An Uncertain Choice, by Jody Hedlund. I'm glad that I bought The Vow and An Uncertain Choice at the same time because it would have been difficult to have to wait to find out the rest of Rosemarie's story. Next week when I post my review on An Uncertain Choice I plan to post another Time in the Limelight! Exciting, right? :) They're one of my favorite things to share on this blog.

Another new desktop background available under this link. :)

By the way, The Vow and An Uncertain Choice are on sale for free and $1.99, respectively. I'm sure that's a highlight of your week. It was to mine.

Countdown to the first day of Summer: 9 days :D

Book Title: The Vow
Series: Noble Knights (Prequel to An Uncertain Choice)
Author: Jody Hedlund

Description:
In this historical romance novella by Jody Hedlund, young Rosemarie finds herself drawn to Thomas, the son of the nearby baron. But just as her feelings begin to grow, a man carrying the Plague interrupts their hunting party. While in forced isolation, Rosemarie begins to contemplate her future—could it include Thomas? Could he be the perfect man to one day rule beside her and oversee her parents’ lands?

Then Rosemarie is summoned back to her castle in haste. The disease has spread, and her family is threatened. And the secret she discovers when she returns could change her future forever.

My Review:
What a great prequel to An Uncertain Choice. Definitely exciting enough for you to feel that "you just have to read the next book"! In just fifty-one pages Jody Hedlund develops a well-written, interesting plot. You can picture the surroundings and atmosphere perfectly.

I absolutely love the medieval era; have since the age of seven when I first studied it in school. This book, and the next, have been added to my favorite medieval reads. I'm so glad Jody Hedlund endeavored to write YA medieval books. Once you've read them, I'm sure you'll feel the same.

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
(This rating is kind of based off An Uncertain Choice as well. Without it The Vow wouldn't have been complete.)