"Hearts Entwined: A Historical Romance Collection" by Witemeyer, Connealy, Jennings, and Jagears

Four great authors of historical western romance team up again to present four novellas on a theme. Each is related to the author's own series.

"The Love Knot" by Karen Witemeyer: I loved seeing the progress of the women's colony--it's come far from the first story, No Other Will Do. And it's fun having Claire's story told, as she's been around since the beginning.

"The Tangled Ties that Bind" by Mary Connealy: Tangled family ties is more like it . . . It was fun revisiting the Kincaids/Regulators/Boden families again, through the eyes of the the children who were just babies when the first books took place.

"Bound and Determined" by Regina Jennings: After reading Holding the Fort, I was really hoping that Bradley would get his story told, and I didn't have to wait nearly as long as expected for it! He's just as fun and reckless as I'd anticipated. I'd had no notion that the US Cavalry once used camels--just the sort of odd historical tidbit that I love learning.

"Tied and True" by Melissa Jagears: How much does a girl have to go through before the man will believe she truly loves him? I kind of wanted to bash Calvin over the head for being so slow on the uptake. It proves that it's not just rich folk who are classist.

Overall, it's a fun collection of stories, infused with humor and a lot of tangled threads. They're especially good if you read the series that each story belongs to!

Related Novels:

Karen Witemeyer
Ladies of Harper Station
1. No Other Will Do
1.5: "Worth the Wait" (found in the All My Tomorrows novella collection)
2. Heart on the Line
2.5. "The Love Knot" (Hearts Entwined)


Mary Connealy
Kincaid Brides
1. Out of Control
2. In Too Deep 
3. Over the Edge

Trouble in Texas
1. Swept Away
2. Fired Up
3. Stuck Together

"Runaway Bride" (novella published in With This Ring?) ~ Big John Conroy, Carrie (Halsey)


Cimarron Legacy
0.5 "The Boden Birthright"
1. No Way Up
2. Long Time Gone
3. Too Far Down

"The Tangled Ties that Bind" (Hearts Entwined)


Regina Jennings
Fort Reno
1. Holding the Fort
1.5 "Bound and Determined" (Hearts Entwined)
2. The Lieutenant's Bargain
3. The Major's Daughter


Melissa Jagears
Teaville Moral Society
0.5: "Engaging the Competition" (Prequel novella from With This Ring? novella collection)
1. A Heart Most Certain
2. A Love So True
2.5: "Tied and True" (Hearts Entwined)
3. A Chance at Forever

"A Song Unheard" by Roseanna M White - a beautiful, redemptive story

When thief and prodigal violinist Willa Forsythe is offered a job in stealing a cipher from Lukas de Wilde, a Belgian violinist and son of a brilliant cryptologist, she doesn't hesitate to take the job. Lukas, however, is firm on protecting his father's cipher machine from either side of the war, and he's desperate to rescue his mother and sister, who vanished during the the German invasion of Belgium. Willa proves a surprising distraction, intriguing him as no other woman has between her hidden depths and brilliant abilities. But Willa cannot fall for her mark--not when the lives of her family hang in the balance. And Lukas is equally unwilling to give up his.

I've been loving this series about thieves who are slowly working their way into becoming spies for the British Home Office. It's the perfect blend of history, adventure, romance, and spiritual growth. It's fun learning more about WWI, in this case focusing on Belgium and the refugees who fled to Britain.

Lukas is obnoxious--but in a thoroughly charming way. I agree with Willa 100% as she ignores his flirtations at the beginning. But, as with Willa, it was easy to fall under his spell, especially since we're privy to his true thoughts, not just his actions--and he really is a lot sweeter and more genuine a person than he initially appears. Willa is pricklier yet than her sister Rosemary was, but it's easy to see the Lord working in her throughout the story, softening her until she's ready to accept him.

I loved the first book a smidgen more (there just was something incredibly special about Rosemary and Peter), but I thoroughly enjoyed this one as well, especially the music theme. I am greatly looking forward to Barclay's story, especially since we got to know him a little better in this book. I hope that the author has the opportunity to write further about the family!

Thank you Bethany House for a free book., I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

Shadows Over England (second chronologically)
1. A Name Unknown
2. A Song Unheard
3. An Hour Unspent

Related series:
Ladies of the Manor (first chronologically)
1. The Lost Heiress
2. The Reluctant Duchess
3. A Lady Unrivaled

The Codebreakers (third chronologically)
1. The Number of Love
2. On Wings of Devotion
3. A Portrait of Loyalty

Lynette Eason's "Oath of Honor" - like a complex cop show

When police officer Isabelle St. John's partner and childhood friend is killed, she dives head-first into finding his murderer. Ryan Marshall was already grieving the loss of his older brother, but now to lose his younger one too is a stunning blow. He's just as determined as Izzy to find Kevin's killer, but as the two dig into the case that has clear mob ties and possibly cops on the payroll, they discover it's possible that someone in Izzy's own family--a family of cops--has a connection to the killer.

As I've come to expect from Lynette Eason, the story was non-stop action from beginning to end. It has a very complex plot, but it works. I especially liked that it's family-oriented (I've heard the story likened to Blue Bloods, and I'd say that's accurate, given my minimal experience with the show), with a lot of family connections in law enforcement and related service-oriented fields. I'm glad that the romance takes a back seat to the action, since the characters are dealing with a lot--grief, attempts on their life, suspicion of their own. It's there--just tastefully quiet and slowly growing.

I really liked that though Izzy and Ryan are chomping at the bit to catch his brother's killer, they do it by the book: they don't take an official and active part in the investigation, they don't touch evidence or interrogate witnesses, and they let their fellow officers do their jobs. Yes, they find ways to help and keep the plot rolling, but they play it smart so the criminals cannot walk on a technicality. I really appreciate that, when so many mystery novels are solved by characters who seem to exist outside the rules.

Anyone who enjoys a good cop show should pick up this book--it's a great example of the genre!

Thank you Revell and NetGalley for the free E-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

Blue Justice
1. Oath of Honor
2. Called to Protect (August 2018)

Susan May Warren's "Troubled Waters"

Someday Sierra Rose will get over her former employer Ian Shaw. Hopefully. But when an accident destroys PEAK's rescue helicopter, Ian offers Sierra his yacht for a fundraising junket in the Caribbean. But the three-day cruise turns into disaster, sending PEAK to the Caribbean to rescue them.

Sierra and Ian finally get their story--the one I've been waiting for since the novella prequel. Just as their relationship has been so far, it's pretty turbulent. If only stubborn people weren't quite so unbending--then maybe they'd actually talk and work out their issues BEFORE a life-and-death situation. But better late than never. Of course, there's also Jess and Pete, who suffer some similar troubles to Sierra and Ian.

If the relationships seem turbulent, it's nothing compared to the physical plot. There's a lot of action and adventure in this story--from being trapped in a wildfire to being trapped on a desert island. The pace flies, making for a quick and exciting read.

Oddly, we've just been discussing some of the themes in this book in my bible study. Just when one starts thinking one is capable of accomplishing anything and everything by one's own power, something happens to remind one of how NOT in control and how in need of a savior we truly are. It's hard enough for us who are regularly reminded of our weaknesses, but for one like Ian Shaw--who is always in control--it can be devastating when that moment comes. But that's when we rely on God most, when we are at our weakest.

Thank you Revell and NetGalley for the free E-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

Montana Rescue
1. Wild Montana Skies
2. Rescue Me
3. A Matter of Trust
4. Troubled Waters

5. Storm Front
6. Wait For Me (November 2018)

"The Lacemaker" by Laura Frantz - a beautiful story

When her father flees Williamsburg in the night and her fiance abandons her right before their wedding, Elisabeth Lawson is left to fend for herself. Noble Rynalt, a patriot and Burgess, has often been left to tidy his wastrel cousin's messes, and he takes compassion on his cousin's jilted fiancee, though her political leanings are questionable. Elisabeth is unwilling to impose for long, however, and she sets up shop as a seamstress and lacemaker. As sides are declared throughout the city, Elisabeth must decide what her role in the upcoming conflict will be--and if she can handle the consequences of her choice.

I love Laura Frantz's take on the Revolutionary War, whichever aspect of it she is focusing on. While I've read numerous novels about the war, I don't think I've read a thing about Williamsburg since reading the American Girl (Felicity) books as a child. It was fascinating to see the changeover from Tory to Patriot during the build-up toward war, to see some of the good and bad of both sides. I also love the period details the author is so deft at weaving into the story, and her talents at adding flavor with dialects (Welsh in this case!).

The characters are easy to love and the romance is lovely. There is a lot of action that happens near the end, and I would have liked it drawn out a bit more--rushed as it was, it lacked the emotional punch of some of the author's other novels. But it is nevertheless a beautiful story (as lovely as the cover), and fits in wonderfully with her other colonial novels.

And The Lacemaker has been named the winner of the 2018 Christy Awards Best Historical Romance!

Thank you, Revell, for providing a free book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

Related novels:
A Refuge Assured by Jocelyn Green (the heroines of each share familial ties as well as profession)

Most Anticipated Books of 2018!

New Christian fiction titles for 2018 have already been released (leastwise through summer), and already I have quite the list I'm looking forward to. Most of these authors are tried and true favorites of mine, but I'm pleased to have found a couple new ones in the last year. (Fall titles will be added as they come available)

Historical:

  

January: The Lacemaker by Laura Frantz (Revell)--apparently bears connections to Jocelyn Green's February release, A Refuge Assured

January: A Song Unheard by Roseanna M. White (Bethany House); Shadows Over England, book 2

February: A Refuge Assured by Jocelyn Green (Bethany House)--has connections to Laura Frantz's The Lacemaker

  

February: The Sea Before Us by Sarah Sundin (Revell); Sunrise at Normandy, book 1

February: The Lost Castle by Kristy Cambron (Thomas Nelson)

June: Sons of Blackbird Mountain by Joanne Bischof (Thomas Nelson)

  

June: A Defense of Honor by Kristi Ann Hunter (Bethany House); Haven Manor, book 1

June: More Than Meets the Eye by Karen Witemeyer (Bethany House)

July: A Rumored Fortune by Joanna Davidson Politano (Revell)

  

August: Caught by Surprise by Jen Turano (Bethany House); Apart from the Crowd, book 3

September: An Hour Unspent by Roseanna M. White (Bethany House); Shadows Over England book 3

December: The Lieutenant's Bargain by Regina Jennings (Bethany House); Fort Reno, book 2

  

Contemporary Romance:
May: Falling for You by Becky Wade (Bethany House); Bradford Sisters, book 2

Mystery/Suspense:
July: Dead Drift by Dani Pettrey (Bethany House); Chesapeake Valor, book 4

Cathy Gohlke's "Until We Find Home"

Aspiring novelist Claire Stewart has been working with the French Resistance, but she inadvertently ends up on Britain's shores with five Jewish children in her care. We nowhere else to turn, she seeks out her estranged aunt in the Lakes District, and is granted a place to stay--if she stays to personally care for the children. Claire knows nothing of children, and all she wants is to return to France and her love, but it's looking like she's stuck in Britain for the duration of the war. As her aunt is forced to accept more refugees and other boarders in her spacious, home, will they all learn to work together and share the love they have?

The story made me think of Mrs. Miniver, taking place on the British homefront and dealing with the dangers there--air raids, escaped POWs, prejudice. It hadn't occurred to me that the English would resent the foreign children taking refuge on their shore, but antisemitism was widespread, not just in Germany, and certainly not limited to adults. Nor did it occur to me that many would resent all Americans for the USA's neutral stance early in the war--even the Americans who were actually helping them. But I can also see many of the prejudicial attitudes in the story reflected today here in America, but with refugees of Muslim nations and Mexican families trying to find a better life. We can only hope that like Claire and her family, we learn to love and respect them, not fear and dismiss them.

I had trouble liking Claire for a long time. She's rather self-centered and incompetent (regarding most skills necessary for her situation--dealing with children, cooking, making friends). Granted, it was also frustrating that people constantly scold her about her faults, rather than help her. If no one shows her a better way, how can they expect her to improve? She does come a long way through the story, learning how to love and be loved, and her companions also learn more grace.

I appreciated how the children and adults in the story were able to help each other, though I think the adults [surprisingly] had a harder time helping the kids than vice versa. But in the growing process, I loved that they call in a Rabbi to educate the children; it shows a growing respect for their charges. I also enjoyed the myriad of literary references in this story, and they aren't the usual ones--here we have Peter Pan, The Secret Garden, Beatrix Potter, CS Lewis, and more. As always with a Cathy Gohlke novel, this is full of not only detailed history, but many things to ponder on, some of which hit pretty close to home.

Thank you Tyndale and NetGalley for providing a free e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

Other WWII novels by Cathy Gohlke:
Saving Amelie
Secrets She Kept