Olivia Aberdeen, destitute widow of a man shot as a traitor to the South, is shunned by proper society and gratefully accepts an invitation from Elizabeth Harding, mistress of Belle Meade Plantation. Expecting to be the Hardings’ head housekeeper, Olivia is disillusioned when she learns the real reason Elizabeth’s husband, Confederate General William Giles Harding, agreed to her coming. Not finding the safe haven she expects, Olivia is caught off guard by her feelings for Ridley Adam Cooper, a man who seems anything but a Southern gentleman.

Branded a traitor by some, Ridley Cooper, a Southern son who chose to fight for the Union, is a man desperate to end the war still raging inside him. Determined to learn “the gift” that Belle Meade’s head horse trainer and former slave, Bob Green, possesses, Ridley harbors secrets that threaten both their lives. 

 As Ridley seeks to make peace within himself for fighting against the South he loved, Olivia is determined to never be betrayed again.

Recently our area if Oregon was hit with a vicious ice storm that knocked out the power for many days.  My bookcase became a resource for something to do in the dark with a headlamp.  I found a book by Tamera Alexander who wrote a wonderful story about the struggles of people of the post-Civil War in the South.  You will enjoy this story of two people from different parts of the wreckage of the war who meet at a plantation and find love for each other.

Check it out!

In 1910 Toronto, while other bachelor girls perfect their domestic skills and find husbands, two friends perfect their sleuthing skills and find a murderer.

Inspired by their fascination with all things Sherlock Holmes, best friends and flatmates Merinda and Jem launch a consulting detective business. The deaths of young Irish women lead Merinda and Jem deeper into the mire of the city’s underbelly, where the high hopes of those dreaming to make a new life in Canada are met with prejudice and squalor.

While searching for answers, donning disguises, and sneaking around where no proper ladies would ever go, they pair with Jasper Forth, a police constable, and Ray DeLuca, a reporter in whom Jem takes a more than professional interest. Merinda could well be Toronto’s premiere consulting detective, and Jem may just find a way to put her bachelor girlhood behind her forever—if they can stay alive long enough to do so.

Another great book to add to my list.  Author, Rachel McMillan, kept me engaged in this story.  Two fascinating characters that are like Holmes and Watts but are female amateur detectives making their way in a male dominate world.  I’m already in the third book of this series but Rachel has a bunch more books that I haven’t gotten to read yet.  I think you will enjoy these books!

Check it out!

As a child, Ruthie was shunned by the local congregation. Thirteen years later, Ruthie’s heart begins to stir when an attractive single preacher arrives. But their relationship is bitterly opposed—unearthing a string of secrets which threaten to turn the church, the town, and her world upside-down.

Jaded is the rare novel that is both love story between a woman and man … and God and His church. Plunging deep into the waters of shame, forgiveness and restoration, it will resonate with every woman who’s experienced a loss of heart … and a thirst for hope.

Varina Denman writes stories about the unique struggles women face. She teaches creative writing and literature, volunteers in her local cooperative, and is a home educator to her five children. She resides with her family in North Texas. This is her first novel. 

This book kept me up late at night.  I was enthralled with the story and wanted to keep reading more.  Jaded is Book one of the Mended Heart Series and I think you will enjoy reading this beautiful story about a young woman who struggles with her and her mother’s past with the local church and at the same time learns about love and forgiveness.

Check it out!

What could possibly drive a pastor’s wife to run away from home?

After years of frustration from life in a church fishbowl, Annie McGregor walks away from it all and bords a plane for Colorado.  She has no way of knowing her college sweetheart is headed to the same cabin in the Rockies, terrified and gravely wounded.  Their unexpected reunion couldn’t have come at a worse time.  Or could it?  Bewildered that God would allow Michael Dean to walk back into her life, Annie pleads with Him to keep her heart true to her husband and her family.  God answers her prayer, but in a way she would never expect. 

This story had suspense, drama, good vs evil and spiritual challenges.  A peek into what our pastors and their families today go through at times.  Author, Diane Moody reminds the reader that there is always redemption and love which completed the story beautifully.

Humorous Romance.

When Britisher Lady Sydney Hathwell’s father dies, the American who planned to wed her suddenly reneges. Stranded in America and penniless, Sydney contracts a relative in Texas who, mistaking her male-sounding name, invites his “nephew” to join him on his ranch.

“Big Tim” Creighton, however, is appalled when this mincing fop arrives at Forsaken. He determines -he’ll turn Fancy Pants Hathwell into a man before the boss returns home. From the get-go, he has “the kid” mucking stalls, clearing and plowing a field, and assisting with a difficult calving. But when Sydney’s true identity is uncovered, Tim resents being deceived. Yet in time, he also finds that he doesn’t like all the attention Sydney garners now that she’s wearing pretty gowns…

Together Sydney and Tim will discover the importance of family and what it means to be a man—and a woman—of God.

This book was fun to read with some romance. It kept me enticed to the end.

Fall 1888 // Helena, Montana

In the rough and rugged Montana Territory, the journey to true love is filled with unexpected twists—and sweet rewards—for daring frontier women who faithfully believe every heart has a home . . .

With the help of the Archer Matrimonial Company, Yancey Palmer has finally put

Hale Adams, the man she’s loved for ten years—sometimes not wisely or well—behind her. Yancey is so sure of her love for the man the agency matched her with, she readily promises a friend that she’ll help Hale with his mayoral campaign without chasing him.

Hale has also engaged the services of the matrimonial agency. He’s so pleased with one lady, he requests that she join him in Helena to commence a sixty-day courtship. But instead, the Archer ladies arrive in town to reveal the true identities of both

Hale’s and Yancey’s matches: each other. Can they look past their misunderstandings and hurt to see that they are still a perfect match?

An enjoyable read about grace and forgiveness.  Both authors have a flare for words.  There are two other books that complete the A Montana Brides Romance saga.  Check them out.