A Bride of Convenience by Jody Hedlund

About the Book
Unemployed mill worker Zoe Hart jumps at the opportunity to emigrate to British Columbia in 1863 to find a better life and be reunited with her brother, who fled from home after being accused of a crime.
Pastor to miners in the mountains, Abe Merivale discovers an abandoned baby during a routine visit to Victoria and joins efforts with Zoe, one of the newly arrived bride-ship women, to care for the infant. While there, he's devastated by the news from his fiancee in England that she's marrying another man.
With mounting pressure to find the baby a home, Zoe accepts a proposal from a miner of questionable character after he promises to help her locate her brother. Intent on protecting Zoe and frustrated by his failed engagement, Abe offers his own hand as groom. After a hasty wedding, they soon realize their marriage of convenience is not so convenient after all.

My Thoughts
Jody Hedlund has been on my favorite authors list since the very first time I read one of her books almost 8 years ago! And I have faithfully read everything she has written ever since. The first two books in this Bride Ships series being among some of my favorites for sure so I was more than a little excited to read this book especially when I realized it would contain my all-time favorite trope, marriage of convenience! But, this one didn’t quite live up to my expectations.
We met Pastor Abe in the previous books and I was looking forward to seeing him get his happily ever after. He seemed like such a great guy and after watching him help his friend win over his girl I was excited for him to find someone too. He was a very selfless and giving person, always going out of his way to care for everyone around him and I admired that. There were just times that I wanted him to have more of a backbone and actually stand up for something rather than kowtowing all the time.
Zoe Hart (always love seeing any part of my name in books) was a bit of an enigma, sometimes being brazen and bold but then turning around and acting shy. They way she was willing to care for children left in dire straits was certainly commendable even if sometimes it felt illogical.

Zoe and Abe had an interesting relationship, there was a lot of confusion and moments of hot then cold and so much could have been cleared up with an honest conversation that never happened. They were well suited though and their way to their own happy ending.

Meet the Author
Jody Hedlund is the bestselling author of over 20 historical novels for both adults and teens and is the winner of numerous awards including the Christy Award, Carol Award, and Christian Book Award. She lives in central Michigan with her husband, five busy teens, and five spoiled cats. Visit her at www.jodyhedlund.com.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

At Love's Command by Karen Witemeyer

About the Book
Haunted by the horrors of war, ex-cavalry officer Matthew Hanger leads a band of mercenaries known as Hanger's Horsemen who have become legends in 1890s Texas. They defend the innocent and obtain justice for the oppressed. But when a rustler's bullet leaves one of them at death's door, they're the ones in need of saving.
Dr. Josephine Burkett is used to men taking one look at her skirts and discounting her medical skills. What she's not used to is having a man change his mind in a heartbeat and offer to assist her in surgery. Matthew Hanger's dedication to his friend during recovery earns Josephine's respect, and when she hears of her brother's abduction, he becomes her only hope for rescue.

Matt has stared down ruthless outlaws, betrayal, and injury, but when a bossy lady doctor crawls under his skin, his heart is tempted to surrender. And when she is caught in the crossfire, he may have to sacrifice everything--even his team--to save her.

My Thoughts
This book was a breath of fresh air that I desperately needed after a string of books that didn’t quite reach the mark for me! Karen Witemeyer has long been a favorite author of mine and this book just proved how much she deserves her spot on that list!
I absolutely adored Matthew and Josephine! From their very first meeting the sparks flew and their banter and chemistry had me laughing out loud and grinning like a fool throughout the whole book! They were both no nonsense people who got the job done no matter what and I loved how well matched they were. I also really appreciated the way they respected each other and discussed things instead of making demands, arguing, or getting offended!
I also loved the other three Horsemen! Preach, Jonah, and Mark all had their own unique personalities that made you love them and I can’t wait till we get their stories!
There was a decent bit of action in this book too and it was so well written that I could easily envision it all going down! They way the Horsemen worked together was a thing of beauty and I loved watching them in action!

In short, there was nothing about this book I didn’t love and I’m already anxious to get the rest of the series!

Meet the Author

Voted #1 Reader's Favorite Christian Romance Author of 2019 by Family Fiction Magazine, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. She makes her home in Abilene, Texas, with her husband and three children. Learn more about Karen and her books at www.karenwitemeyer.com.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

A Gilded Lady by Elizabeth Camden

About the Book
Caroline Delacroix is at the pinnacle of Washington high society in her role as secretary to the first lady of the United States. But beneath the faade of her beauty, glamorous wardrobe, and dazzling personality, she's hiding a terrible secret. If she cannot untangle a web of foreign espionage, her brother will face execution for treason.
Nathaniel Trask is the newly appointed head of the president's Secret Service team. He is immediately suspicious of Caroline despite his overwhelming attraction to her quick wit and undeniable charm. Desperate to keep the president protected, Nathaniel must battle to keep his focus fully on his job as the threat to the president rises.

Amid the glamorous pageantry of Gilded Age Washington, DC, Caroline and Nathaniel will face adventure, danger, and heartbreak in a race against time that will span the continent and the depth of human emotion.

My Thoughts
This series is fast becoming my favorite of Camden’s works and I am not mad about it!
After meeting Caroline in book one of this series I knew she’d be a heroine to admire and that it was going to take a very special man to capture her heart. I was right on both accounts!
Caroline was an expertly crafted character, she was confident and charming without being arrogant or obnoxious. And while she’d had a bit of a wild side growing up she had learned how to temper it, making her a lady of poise and grace who wasn’t afraid to break rules if the situation called for it!
Nathaniel was the exact opposite of Caroline, a rule-follower to the bitter end he came across as hard and unyielding. But Caroline saw through that to the amazing dedicated man he was and I loved watching her coax him out of his professional wall. The two of them were a study in opposites attract and they balanced each other so well! I loved watching their relationship slowly unfold!
One of my favorite things about Camden’s writing is all the historical detail she incorporates! She takes bits of history that often are overlooked, especially in fiction, and brings them to light in a completely brilliant way that leaves you knowing so much more than you did at the start without ever bogging the reader down in the details. It is all organically woven into the story and I applaud her greatly for that! I loved getting an inside look at life in the White House 120 years ago and I was shocked by how lackadaisical security was! I’m so glad that has changed and extreme measures are taken now to protect the First Family! It was interesting to watch Nathaniel implement his security ideas which seemed so over the top to the staff then but would be taken as the bare minimum now!
It was also fascinating to read about how things were handled following the president’s assassination and the swearing in of Roosevelt. I hadn’t really considered how the changing of staff would go in that situation.
We also got to read more about Luke, who, when we left him in book one, was being held in Cuba for charges of treason. I loved getting more of his story and I cannot wait to read even more when his book comes out!

In short I loved this book and definitely recommend it! And while you could probably read this series as standalones there are continuing threads throughout that make more sense when read as a whole!

Meet the Author
Elizabeth Camden is best known for her historical novels set in Gilded Age America. Before she was a writer, she was an academic librarian. Her novels have won the RITA and Christy Award and have appeared on the CBA bestsellers list. She lives in Orlando, Florida, with her husband, who graciously tolerates her intimidating stockpile of books. Learn more at www.elizabethcamden.com.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Pretending to Wed by Melissa Jagears

About the Book
It’s a match made in heaven…as long as they don’t fall in love!The ranch Nolan Key has spent decades working for, even lost a leg for, is now his—or at least it should be. But an absurd clause in his father’s will means he’s in danger of losing the place to his lazy, undeserving cousin. Nolan finds himself scrambling to save his home—by proposing marriage to the town laundress. Corinne Stillwater’s hands have betrayed her. Numb from hours of doing the same work over and over, her hands will only heal, according to the town doctor, if she gives up the laundry and marries. But she’s been stung repeatedly by love before, so that is one remedy she can’t swallow. When Nolan offers Corinne a marriage in name only, how can she refuse? Such a partnership could give them the security they seek, but what if the ranch isn't as secure as they believe, and their lives—and dreams—aren't quite as compatible as they thought?Pretending to Wed is the second book in the Frontier Vows Series by award-winning Christian romance author Melissa Jagears. If you like marriage of convenience stories that deal with the nitty-gritty of making a relationship work, you’ll love this authentic romance set in a time gone by that tackles issues still relevant for today.

My Thoughts
Marriage of convenience is my absolute favorite trope, enough so that that’s basically all you need to say to convince me to read a book! And it’s even better when it’s by an author that I know I enjoy! So when I heard about this story I of course jumped at the chance to review it.
This one was a little different than most marriage of convenience stories in that both of the characters had previously decided to never marry and so when circumstances forced their hands they very much approached the whole arrangement as a business deal and were very clinical about the whole affair. The moments where they found themselves slipping up on the “no romantic nonsense” rule we’re definitely my favorites even if they weren’t acting on their thoughts!
Both Nolan and Corrine had physical limitations/ailments and both of them were too stubborn for their own good when it came to properly resting and/or taking care of themselves, which honestly was a little frustrating at times. They also were not great at communicating which led to problems that could have been avoided or at least handled better if they’d just have had a conversation. Their romance was still sweet overall though and made me smile several times!
Nolan’s cousin on the other hand did not bring any smiles and his conniving, slimy, manipulative ways made me what to give him a solid boot to the you-know-what and give him a one-way ticket to Siberia.

So while this wasn’t my favorite of Jagear's works it gave me the full range of emotions and if it sounds like something you’d enjoy I encourage you to check it out for yourself!

Meet the Author
Much to her introverted self's delight, ACFW Award winner and double INSPY finalist Melissa Jagears hardly needs to leave her home to be a homeschooling mother and novelist. She lives in Kansas with her husband and three children and can be found online at www.melissajagears.com, Facebook, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey by Abigail Wilson

About the Book
In this new Regency romance, Elizabeth knows she must protect her heart from the charm of her new husband, Lord Torrington. She is not, however, prepared to protect her life.
When the widowed Lord Torrington agreed to spy for the crown, he never planned to impersonate a highwayman, let alone rob the wrong carriage. Stranded on the road with an unconscious young woman, he is forced to propose marriage to protect his identity and her reputation, as well as his dangerous mission.
Trapped not only by her duty to her country but also by her limited options as an unwed mother, Miss Elizabeth Cantrell and her infant son are whisked away to Middlecrest Abbey by none other than the elder brother of her son’s absent father. There she is met by Torrington’s beautiful grown daughters, a vicious murderer, and an urgent hunt for the missing intelligence that could turn the war with France. Meanwhile she must convince everyone that her marriage is a genuine love match if her new husband has any hope of uncovering the enemy.

Determined to keep her son’s true identity a secret, Elizabeth will need to remain one step ahead of her fragile heart, her uncertain future, and the relentless fiend bent on her new family’s ruin.

My Thoughts
I’m the first to admit that gothic regency is typically not a genre I gravitate towards but when this author’s debut came out something intrigued me and I had to check it out. I was quickly swept away and became a fan of her unique writing style! This is Abigail Wilson’s third novel and I have to say it’s my favorite so far! I somehow managed to get a good bit into the book before realizing the connection to the first novel and the fact that we had indeed met this heroine before!
Elizabeth had changed quite a bit since we saw her last and I really liked her in this book! I admired her spunk and the brilliant way she thought through things. Her love for her son was also endearing. Adrien was a hero we could all root for and the more you learned about him the more you saw just how great of a man he was!
I loved the slow build in the romance and you know I’m always here for a marriage of convenience story!
The mystery was intriguing and while I guessed a lot of the pieces I couldn’t quite figure out how they fit together!

In short this was an absolutely wonderful and enjoyable read and I highly recommend it!

Meet the Author
Abigail Wilson combines her passion for Regency England with intrigue and adventure to pen historical mysteries with a heart. A Registered Nurse, chai tea addict, and mother of two crazy kids, Abigail fills her spare time hiking the National Parks, attending her daughter's gymnastic meets, and curling up with a great book. In 2017, Abigail won WisRWA's Fab Five Contest and ACFW's First Impressions contest as well as placing as a finalist in the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense. She is a cum laude graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and currently lives in Dripping Springs, Texas, with her husband and children. Connect with Abigail at acwilsonbooks.com; Instagram: acwilsonbooks; Facebook: ACWilsonbooks; Twitter: @acwilsonbooks.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

A Date for Daisy by Tara Grace Ericson

About the Book
He thinks she’s the captain of the Hot Mess Express.
She thinks he’s rigid and wound too tight.
And this renovation is about to get complicated.
Daisy Bloom is determined to turn her 100-year-old house into a bed and breakfast. The only problem? She knows nothing about renovations.
Enter Lance Matthews, construction guru and business owner. He is determined to tackle this project with his usual methodical, organized approach. His only problem? The beautiful and infuriating homeowner -- deeply involved with the project and completely averse to lists, schedules, or any form of organization.

When sparks fly between these wildly different personalities, will they find common ground? Or does God have other plans for each of them?

My Thoughts
Another cute romance from Tara Grace Ericson! From the moment we first met Daisy and Lance in Hoping for Hawthorne I knew their romance would be a fun one and I was right!
They definitely started off on the wrong foot, their extremely different personalities causing more than a little frustration! But I loved watching as they started to realize how well they could work together and balance out each other’s extremes. The attraction was there from the start and it was fun to see them fight, ultimately in vain, against it!
The home renovation angle was fun and as someone who’s seen all the Fixer Upper episodes it was really easy to visualize their various projects!

It was good to see more of the entertaining Bloom family and I am looking forward to reading Poppy’s story and figuring out her secrets!

Meet the Author

Tara Grace Ericson lives in Missouri with her husband and two sons. She studied engineering and worked as an engineer for many years before embracing her creative side to become a full-time author. Her first book, Falling on Main Street, was written mostly from airport waiting areas and bleak hotel rooms as she traveled in her position as a sales engineer. She loves cooking, crocheting, and reading books by the dozen. Her writing partner is usually her black lab - Ruby - and a good cup of coffee or tea. Tara unashamedly watches Hallmark movies all winter long, even though they are predictable and cheesy. She loves a good “happily ever after” with an engaging love story. That’s why Tara focuses on writing clean contemporary romance, with an emphasis on Christian faith and living. She wants to encourage her readers with stories of men and women who live out their faith in tough situations.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Bout of Books 28: Wrap-Up

Another great Bout of Books! I finished 20 books for a total of 6,025 pages! Didn't break my book total record but I did break the page total record! All of the books I read were rereads and it was really fun to revisit old friends!

The Books
Petticoat Ranch by Mary Connealy
Calico Canyon by Mary Connealy
Gingham Mountain by Mary Connealy
Montana Rose by Mary Connealy
The Husband Tree by Mary Connealy
Wildflower Bride by Mary Connealy
Doctor in Petticoats by Mary Connealy
Wrangler in Petticoats by Mary Connealy
Sharpshooter in Petticoats by Mary Connealy
Jennifer by Dee Henderson
Danger in the Shadows by Dee Henderson
The Negotiator by Dee Henderson
The Guardian by Dee Henderson
The Truth Seeker by Dee Henderson
The Protector by Dee Henderson
The Healer by Dee Henderson
The Rescuer by Dee Henderson
Paige Torn by Erynn Mangum
Paige Rewritten by Erynn Mangum
Paige Turned by Erynn Mangum

Bout of Books 28: Day Six Update

Day Six Update

Books I Read Today: 

The Healer by Dee Henderson (267 pages)
The Rescuer by Dee Henderson 275 pages)

Books I Finished Today: 

The Healer by Dee Henderson

Pages Read Today: 542

Total Books Finished: 16

Total Pages Read: 5,084

My Thoughts on Day Six:
My slowest day so far. But these books are the hardest in the series to get through emotionally and I also had some plans that cut into my reading time. But overall not a bad day!

Bout of Books 28: Day Five Update

Day Five Update

Books I Read Today: 

The Truth Seeker by Dee Henderson (330 pages)
The Protector by Dee Henderson (322 pages)\
The Healer by Dee Henderson (53 pages)

Books I Finished Today: 

The Truth Seeker by Dee Henderson
The Protector by Dee Henderson

Pages Read Today: 755

Total Books Finished: 15

Total Pages Read: 4,542

My Thoughts on Day Five:
I think I have to accept that I just can't read this series fast lol! Still made decent progress though!

Bout of Books 28: Day Four Update

Day Four Update

Books I Read Today: 

The Negotiator by Dee Henderson (296 pages)
The Guardian by Dee Henderson (275 pages)

Books I Finished Today: 

The Negotiator by Dee Henderson
The Guardian by Dee Henderson

Pages Read Today: 571

Total Books Finished: 13

Total Pages Read: 3,787

My Thoughts on Day Four:
Not sure what was up with me today but I was reading a whole lot less than past days. For some reason I was easily distracted and since these books are a little more dense and detailed they just took me longer. Hopefully tomorrow will be better!