Book review: A Day to Pick Your Own Cotton by Michael Phillips

Shenandoah Sisters: A Day to Pick Your Own Cotton by Michael Phillips (Published by Bethany House, May 1, 2003)

Mayme Jukes and Katie Clairborne are two fifteen-year-old girls from worlds apart -- Mayme was born into slavery, while Katie was the daughter of a wealthy family that owned a large plantation. But in the final days of the Civil War, they both lost their families to marauders, and now they share an important secret. After Mayme, fleeing the scene of her family's murders, came across Katie, the only survivor at her plantation, Rosewood, the two girls decided to live their on their own and pretend that Katie's mother is still alive.

As if that were not difficult enough, now they must protect three other people as well. Emma, a former slave, and her baby, William, are hiding at Rosewood from William's father, the son of Emma's former master. And Aleta, a young girl whose mother died as they fled from her abusive father, has also sought refuge at Rosewood, and is determined to never return home. Mayme and Katie have other worries as well. A loan is due soon at the bank, and if they don't pay, they will never be able to continue protecting their secret.

This book is a very good sequel to Angels Watching Over Me that continues the story of Mayme and Katie, and introduces some new characters as well. It brings to life the dangers of life in the South just after the end of the Civil War, and at the same time tells a heartwarming story of friendship. Though this series is categorized as adult fiction, I think many young adults would enjoy the series as well, since the main characters are teenagers. There are several other books about these characters as well, and I look forward to reading them to find out what happens next.

Book review: Angels Watching Over Me by Michael Phillips

Shenandoah Sisters: Angels Watching Over Me by Michael Phillips (Published by Bethany House, January 1, 2003)

Mayme Jukes and Katie Clairborne both grew up on plantations near the same town in Shenandoah County, North Carolina, but their lives were vastly different. Mayme was born into slavery, while Katie enjoyed a privileged life as the daughter of a wealthy plantation owner. But in the final days of the Civil War, the two teenagers are thrown together when both their families are murdered by marauding outlaw soldiers.

Fleeing from the massacre of her family, Mayme stumbles across Katie's plantation, where she is the only survivor of the brutal attacks. Mayme stays to help Katie, and eventually the two girls become very close friends in spite of their differences. But can these two teenage girls survive on their own, and hide the truth from neighbors who don't know that they are all alone on the plantation?

Angels Watching Over Me is a heartwarming historical novel about two girls from very different backgrounds who, after suffering a common tragedy, come together to help each other out, eventually becoming the best of friends. Although categorized as an adult book, I think this novel would have the most a lot of appeal to young adult readers as well, because the main characters are teenagers. I look forward to reading the rest of the books in this series and finding out what happens to Mayme and Katie next.

Book review: The Raven Saint by M.L. Tyndall

The Raven Saint by M.L. Tyndall (Published by Barbour Books, January 1, 2010)

Pious Grace Westcott, the youngest of the Westcott sisters, has devoted her life to helping the poor and living a moral life. She spends her days in her home city of Charleston, South Carolina helping the impoverished residents by donating food, caring for the sick, and helping orphans find homes. So when she is kidnapped by Captain Rafe Dubois, a French mercenary, she struggles to understand what purpose God has in allowing this to happen to her.

Captain Rafe Dubois is a man without faith. He has kidnapped Grace so he can sell her to a Spanish don and use the money to help build a hospital for the poor, in order to fufill a promise he made. He should care nothing for Grace, she is simply a means to an end for him. So he finds himself confused by his feelings about her. And Grace is confused by her mixed feelings towards her captor as well. How can she feel anything for a man who took her away from everything she had?

The Raven Saint is a romantic and exciting story of love, adventure, history, and faith. Grace and Rafe are a completely mismatched pair yet their love story was very sweet and in the end believable. If you love a good pirate romance be sure to give this book a try. It is the third in a series about the Westcott sisters, but the story in this book works as a stand-alone novel if you haven’t read the previous two books.

Disclosure: Review copy provided by publisher.

Book review: Love Finds You in Last Chance, California by Miralee Ferrell

Love Finds You in Last Chance, California by Miralee Ferrell (Published by Summerside Press, February 1, 2009)

It is July 1877 in the town of Last Chance, California, and Alexia Travers is in quite a dilemma. The recent death of her father has left her the owner of his horse ranch, which is under mortgage with the bank. A woman alone in a man’s world, she struggles to keep the horse ranch running. She knows that the easy answer would be to marry so she would have a husband to help her, but she wants to succeed on her own.

When Justin Phillips, a recent widower, arrives in town with his young son, he shows up at Alexia’s ranch looking for work. She hires him, not knowing that he was sent for by her father before his death. Because she doesn’t know, she is suspicious of some strange things about Justin, such as his resemblance to a thief and questioning about whether the little boy with him is really his son.

Love Finds You in Last Chance, California is an enjoyable story that blends adventure, mystery, and a sweet love story. The main characters are likeable, and I liked that they fell in love slowly and naturally rather than love at first sight. This book is sure to be enjoyed by readers who enjoy inspirational fiction or western romances, and I will be keeping an eye out for future historical romances by this new author.

Book review: The Gladiator by Carla Capshaw

The Gladiator by Carla Capshaw (Published by Steeple Hill, November 1, 2009)

Seventeen-year-old Pelonia is a young Christian woman living near Rome in 81 AD. She lived a comfortable life, sheltered from the dangers faced by Christians in Rome, until her greedy uncle had her father murdered and sold her into slavery. She is brought to Rome, where she is purchased by Caros, a former gladiator. Though still a young man, Caros has lived a difficult and violent life. After witnessing the horrific deaths of his family, he was sold into slavery at the age of fifteen and trained as a gladiator. Having won his freedom in the arena, he is now a lanista and runs a school where he trains gladiators.

When Caros sees Pelonia for sale, he is drawn to her beauty and innocence, decides she must be his, and purchases her to be a slave in his household. But he is unwilling to force her, and begins something like a courtship with her, determined to win her heart. Soon, he realizes she is the only person with whom he truly feels at peace. But although she is attracted to Caros, and realizes that she does truly love him, Pelonia fights her feelings, because he is not a believer in her faith, and she is determined to escape and find her surviving family so she can live as a free woman again.

The Gladiator is a wonderful story of faith and love set in Ancient Rome, a unique setting for a historical romance. Although a first time writer, author Carla Capshaw does a wonderful job of bringing the setting and characters to life, and I look forward to reading more from her. I highly recommend this book to readers who like inspirational romances or historical romances with unusual settings.

Book review: Dawn's Prelude by Tracie Peterson

Dawn's Prelude by Tracie Peterson (Published by Bethany House, September 1, 2009)

As a teenager, Lydia Sellers was forced to marry a cruel man to advance her father’s business interests. Now, after many unhappy years in an abusive marriage, twenty-eight year old Lydia is relieved by the death of her husband in the spring of 1871. Through a technicality in the will, she has inherited her husband’s entire fortune, and decides to leave Kansas City behind and go to live a quiet life with her aunt on the Alaskan frontier.

Arriving in Sitka, Alaska, Lydia meets the handsome young sawmill owner Kjell Bjorklund, and begins a relationship with him that may lead to romance. But then she discovers that she is pregnant with her late husband’s child, something she did not expect since she had many miscarriages during her marriage, leading her to believe she could not have children. Will Kjell still love her if she is having another man’s child? And how far will her greedy adult stepchildren go to claim the fortune they believe is rightfully theirs, especially now that she is having their father’s child?

Dawn’s Prelude is the first book in another new series from the prolific Tracie Peterson, who has written many inspirational historical romances. This book is an enjoyable read that combines a tender romance with suspense in an interesting historical setting. It is sure to be enjoyed by the author's many many fans, and is also a good choice for new readers looking to try something by this author.

Book review: Fields of Grace by Kim Vogel Sawyer

Fields of Grace by Kim Vogel Sawyer (Published by Bethany House, October 1, 2009)

In 1872 Russia, Mennonites Reinhardt and Lillian Vogt fear their oldest son will be forced into military service, which is against their religious beliefs. Because of this, they decide to immigrate to America, where they will be free to practice their faith. Joining the couple and their three sons on the journey is Eli, Reinhardt’s adopted brother.

The journey that should have been the start of their new life ends in tragedy, however, when Lillian’s husband and youngest son die on the sea voyage. In order to protect Lillian and her surviving children, and to keep the family together in America, Eli offers to marry Lillian in a marriage of convenience, to which she agrees. But as the family settles on a homestead in Kansas, Eli’s feelings towards Lillian change from obligation to love.

Fields of Grace is a sweet, inspirational historical romance that is sure to appeal to fans of the genre. The story of Mennonites immigrating to America for freedom of religion is an interesting one, and the message of faith, hope, and love in the face of tragedy is a positive and uplifting one.

Book review: The Bride Backfire by Kelly Eileen Hake

The Bride Backfire by Kelly Eileen Hake (Published by Barbour Books, October 1, 2009)

In Nebraska Territory, 1857, there is a longstanding feud between two neighboring families, the Specks and the Grogans. When Opal Speck’s father discovers Adam Grogan on their property, he threatens to kill him. Opal saves Adam’s life the only way she can think of: by lying that he is the father of her unborn child. Thanks to her lie, Adam’s life is saved, but it also results in Opal and Adam being forced into a shotgun marriage.

From the start, Adam doesn’t want a real marriage. Not realizing that Opal made up the entire story to save his life, he believes that Opal is pregnant with another man’s child, and her purpose in lying was to give her child a name. He is frustrated that Opal continues to refuse to tell him who the child’s real father is. Opal doesn’t know how to tell Adam that what he is believing is wrong, that she isn’t pregnant and only wished to save him from her angry father. When she begins to fall in love with her husband and longs for their marriage to be a real marriage, but she doesn’t know if Adam, who was forced to marry her, could ever love her for real. Can she manage to set things right with him?

The Bride Backfire is an enjoyable western romance for readers who like inspirational romances or clean love stories that don‘t have graphic adult content. At times I got frustrated with Opal and wished she’d just tell Adam the truth already, but that didn’t keep me from enjoying the story, and I would give other books by this author a try.

Book review: Frontier Courtship by Valerie Hansen

Frontier Courtship by Valerie Hansen (Published by Harlequin/Steeple Hill, March 11, 2008)

Nineteen-year-old Faith Ann Beal promised her dying mother that she would take her younger sister Charity and head west to find their father, who had gone to California in hopes of striking it rich in the goldfields. And with nothing left of the small Ohio farm where she grew up, Faith had no choice but to keep that promise. But she didn't expect how hard the journey would be, especially for two young women on their own.

Connell McClain is traveling the trail in search of his fiancée, Irene, whom he sent for a year ago. Connell and Irene grew up together back east, and now she has agreed to come west to marry him after the death of her parents. However, Irene never made it west, and now Connell is terrified something may have happened to her. When he encounters Faith at Fort Laramie and saves her from a drunken brawl, he agrees to help the young woman and her sister, in order to protect them from an unscrupulous wagon train master as he continues his search for Irene. Neither Faith nor Connell expect the romantic feelings they begin to have for one another, but can they fulfill their obligations to others and still find happiness together?

This was an excellent romance that fans of western historicals and inspirational romances are sure to enjoy. Faith and Connell are wonderful characters, and I loved the setting of a covered wagon train traveling west. I'd highly recommend this book and I look forward to the author's other Love Inspired Historical romance, about Faith's sister.

Book review: Homespun Bride by Jillian Hart

Homespun Bride by Jillian Hart (Published by Harlequin/Steeple Hill, January 1, 2008)

Seventeen-year-old Noelle Kramer was filled with the hopes and dreams of first love, believing that in Thad MacKaslin she had found the man she would spend the rest of her life with. But on the night they were to elope, she learned he had left town without a word, and she believed she would never see him again. Although her heart was broken, she planned to marry another and at least have a home and family of her own, until a tragic accident left her parents dead and Noelle blind, destroying her plans for the future.

Now, five years later, in the winter of 1883, Noelle lives a quiet life with her aunt, uncle, and cousins. Her blindness has caused her to give up all her dreams of love, marriage, and children. On their way home from town during a blizzard, Noelle and her aunt are almost killed by a runaway horse, but a stranger saves them - a stranger Noelle soon realizes is Thad MacKaslin, who has returned to their hometown of Angel Falls, Montana. And although both Noelle and Thad try to deny it, they still have feelings for each other. Has God given them a second chance at love and happiness together?

This book was one of the most enjoyable historical romances I've read in a while. Fans of western and inspirational romances are sure to enjoy this story of two people who had given up on a future together but are given a second chance to realize their dreams. The love story was incredibly sweet and emotional, rather than so many romances which focus on the physical romance but neglect the emotional side of a relationship. I'd highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy a sweet and emotional romance without all the graphic scenes.

Book review: Yuletide Treasure by Lauraine Snelling & Jillian Hart

Yuletide Treasures by Lauraine Snelling and Jillian Hart (Published by Steeple Hill, November 1, 2008)

This book features two short historical romances set at Christmas time. Although not a part of the Love Inspired Historical line from the same publisher, Steeple Hill, this book is very similar in style to that series.

The first story, The Finest Gift, is by Lauraine Snelling, is set in 1910 Minnesota. Arley Hooper is a plain young woman who has little hope for suitors and busies herself with the children at the orphanage. When she decides the girls deserve a dollhouse for Christmas, she enlists the aid of woodcarver Nathan Gunderson, who makes her believe that maybe she can find love.

The second story, A Blessed Season, is by Jillian Hart and set in Montana Territory in 1883. Bounty hunter Rafe Jones has taken on the task of finding an abandoned girl's long-lost mother for Christmas. Even his hardened heart cannot resist a young child's holiday wish. His search leads him to Cora Sims in the town of Angel Falls, Montana. Although Cora is most likely not the girl's mother, she develops an attachment to the child, and Rafe finds himself growing attached to Cora herself. Can this spinster and hardened bounty hunter find love together?

These two stories are a wonderful read for the holiday season, or anytime, for fans of sweet historical romances. I highly enjoyed both stories, although I particularly enjoyed reading A Blessed Season because it gave me a chance to revisit the setting and characters of my favorite Love Inspired Historical novel, Homespun Bride by Jillian Hart. I'd definitely recommend this book to readers of the Love Inspired Historical line.

Book review: Ransom My Heart by Meg Cabot

Ransom My Heart by Meg Cabot (Published by Avon, January 6, 2009)

In England in the year 1291, Finulla Crass, the adventurous daughter of the village miller, is determined to help her older sister, Mellana, who is pregnant out of wedlock and needs a substantial dowry in order to find a husband who will marry her despite her condition. The sisters come up with a rather unconventional plan - Finnula will find a wealthy man, kidnap him, and hold him for ransom in order to obtain the money Mellana needs. Finnula decides her captive will be a young earl, Hugo Fitzstephan, who has returned from the Crusades with quite a large fortune.

Hugo Fitzstephan is nothing like Finnula expected, however. The young knight is disturbingly handsome, and Finnula, who prefers hunting and riding to household tasks and is determined to never marry again after her first husband died before their wedding night, finds herself fighting her attraction for Hugo. Meanwhile, Hugo could escape at any time, but plays along as Finnula's "hostage" because he is curious about - and rather fascinated by - this unconventional young woman.

Ransom My Heart is an enjoyable and lighthearted medieval romance with an entertaining relationship between the main characters. It's not super heavy on historical detail, but I loved that it was different from most romances set in this time period, in that it had a unique storyline and featured a heroine who was a commoner rather than the typical sheltered young noblewoman. This book does have a bit more mature content than Meg Cabot's young adult books, however, so I wouldn't really recommend it to her younger fans. Historical romance readers as well as older teen and adult fans of the author are sure to enjoy this book, and I highly recommend it to them.