"Her Secret Song" by Mary Connealy - Brides of Hope Mountain, book 3

After a rough winter spent alone, Ursula Nordegren realizes she must overcome her fears of the outside world and begins a trek down Hope Mountain. Along the way she finds a badly wounded stranger and realizes God may have used her decision to leave as a way of saving the man. Wax Mosby was climbing Hope Mountain in part to atone for his terrible choices. He was hired to drive out the Warden family and now knows he was duped. But when he's wounded during the climb, the last person he expects to rescue him is a beautiful blond woman with the voice of an angel. As both Ursula and Wax weigh the costs of living new lives, the two find an unlikely bond. And they're joined by Ursula's sisters and the Warden family as the final showdown over the family ranch looms with the coming of spring.

I think this was my favorite book of the series--Ursula came off the least likeable of the sisters in the first two books, but here we get to see her wrestle with her fears, her regrets, and her path forward. It humanizes her, and we see what a sympathetic character she really is. Wax is the perfect hero for her--respectful for her need of solitude and full of encouragement, recognizing her strengths that others have overlooked. 

I laughed over an over after that sermon about worrying, when the characters mentally assent to what terrible sinners they are each time they find themselves worrying. It's written quite humorously, but I could easily be in Ursula or Wax's position .The showdown has all the girls at their best for a bang-up finish. I was glad for the epilogue, which ties up old loose ends that I hadn't actually expected to resolved. 

Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

Brides of Hope Mountain
1. Aiming for Love
2. Woman of Sunlight
3. Her Secret Song 

"The Gentleman Spy" by Erica Vetsch - Serendipity and Secrets, book 2

When his father and older brother suddenly pass away, the new Duke of Haverly is saddled with a title he never expected to bear. To thwart the plans of his scheming family, the duke impulsively marries a wallflower. After all, she's meek and mild; it should be easy to sequester her in the country and get on with his life―as a secret agent for the Crown. But his bride has other ideas. She's determined to take her place not only as his duchess but as his wife. When his secrets are threatened with exposure, will his new wife be an asset or a liability?

This was a highly enjoyable story; not quite as spy-centered as I expected, but delightful nonetheless. It wasn't too heavy; there were some weighty subjects discussed, considering that Charlotte develops a heart for women in prostitution, but the story did not lack humor to lighten it. 

Charlotte was a delight, especially when she would accidentally blurt out her thoughts instead of keeping them in her head. Sometimes I wanted to bash Marcus over the head (really, you think you can completely compartmentalize your life, particularly a wife?), but he was also a dashing hero, recognizing Charlotte's best qualities, even when her appearance and approaching spinsterhood did nothing to recommend her. I look forward to reading Sophie's tale in the next book!

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

Serendipity and Secrets
1. The Lost Lieutenant
2. The Gentleman Spy
3. The Indebted Earl

"The Kissing Tree" - a novella collection by Witemeyer, Jennings, Dykes, and Deese

Bestselling novelist Karen Witemeyer joins award-winning authors Regina Jennings, Amanda Dykes, and Nicole Deese for this Texas-sized romance novella collection. Each of the authors' unique voices is on display in stories where courting couples leave a permanent mark of their love by carving their initials into the same oak's bark.

All the stories tie together nicely, though a generation or two separates each one. Familiar families and places trickle down through the tales, but the town and surrounding area grow, too, adding new faces and places. And all are thoroughly tied to the ancient Texas oak dubbed the Kissing Tree.

"Broken Limbs, Mended Fences" by Regina Jennings: in which a small-town teacher has her credentials questioned by a traveling salesman. 

It's a sweet romance that begins the tradition of the Kissing Tree. The story was loaded with contrast: progress versus tradition, pride versus humility, division and reconciliation, dashed hopes versus new dreams. I loved the ending, particularly how the contest ended up.

"The Kissing Tree Inn" by Karen Witemeyer: which tells the tale of an unlikely woman building a very unexpected lover's retreat.

Wonderfully sentimental. The tradition of the Kissing Tree has grown, and Phoebe has grown up with the stories of romance found carved into its trunk. I love the balance that Phoebe and Barnabas bring each other, and even when they disagree over something, they actually listen to each other and make concessions. They are far stronger together than apart.

"From Roots to Sky" by Amanda Dykes: which follows a young WWII naval airman who heads to Texas to meet the sister of a lost compatriot.

No question this was a story by Amanda Dykes, written with her trademark lyrical writing. I really enjoyed Luke and Hannah's story, how they were first able to bond over love of her brother via letters, and now finally meet in person and truly get to know each other--to see what lies beneath the surface. I found it the most romantic of the stories.

"Heartwood" by Nicole Deese: in which the aftermath of a giant storm brings changes for the owner of a historic inn.

An almost bittersweet end to the stories of the Kissing Tree . . . Both Abby and Griffon had been--well, still are--dealing with grief in their own way, which makes for a more subdued atmosphere than the other stories. However, though all things inevitably end, it also gives hope and the encouragement to move forward.

Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

"A Portrait of Loyalty" by Roseanna M White - The Codebreakers, book 3

Zivon Marin was one of Russia's top cryptographers, until the October Revolution tore apart his world. Forced to flee, he arrives in England to offer his services to the Brits. Lily Blackwell sees the world best through the lens of a camera--and possesses unsurpassed skill when it comes to retouching and recreating photographs. She's recruited to British intelligence, even though her mother would disapprove. After Captain Blackwell invites Zivon to dinner one evening, a friendship blooms between him and Lily. When her photographs reveal that someone has been following Zivon, his loyalties are called into question--and his enemies are discovered to be far closer than he'd feared.

I really liked Lily; her part in the war effort is fascinating, especially since it is able to utilize her artistic gift to such great effect And she's just supremely likeable--willing to stand up when she needs to, yet respectful authority. She dearly, dearly loves her family and hates to be a source of controversy. I understand her dilemma, torn between two things that both seem right yet her parents are diametrically opposed over. 

Zivon was a marvelous hero--self-sacrificing, so kind, always paying attention. Though Zivon struggles with hate and unforgiveness, Father Smirnov's wisdom in how to deal with it was spot-on. It was lovely to see cameos of other characters throughout White's three related series. 

Having taken a course purely on the Russian Revolution in college, I loved its prominence in this novel--even if was from the perspective of an exile in Britain. Since I specifically researched feminism in the Revolution for our sole graded work, I was delighted? dismayed? to see the new ideals so accurately portrayed by Nadya.

Highly recommended! Winner of the 2021 Christy Award for Historical Romance.

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

Relates series:

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

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

Codebreakers comes third chronologically.

"An Ivy Hill Christmas" by Julie Klassen - A Tales from Ivy Hill Novella

When Richard Brockwell's mother threatens to stop funding his carefree London life unless he comes home for Christmas, he is finally forced to return to Ivy Hill, though he plans to be back on a coach bound for London and his unencumbered bachelor life the moment the festivities are over. But Christmas in the country presents unforeseen surprises, including encounters with an orphaned apprentice, the first love he disappointed years ago, and Arabella Awdry, a young lady who is far more appealing than he recalled . . . and determined to have nothing to do with him. Will Christmastime in Ivy Hill, with its village charm, kissing boughs, joyous songs, and divine hope, work its magic in his heart . . . and hers as well?

It was nice to catch back up with the characters of Ivy Hill and learn a bit more about Sir Timothy's family (namely, Richard). I appreciated his story of reconciliation and transformation from the selfish man he was to the compassionate man he becomes. 

Honestly, Richard's journey was enough for me that I didn't feel that the romance was even necessary (a bizarre thought--I normally prefer a good romance). There was nothing wrong with Arabella, and I liked getting a chance to get to know her and her siblings a bit better, but while it was a nice add-on, it felt very secondary to me. Maybe it's because so much of Richard's transformation happens out of Arabella's sight--she doesn't know half of what he has been doing and going through (to be fair, they're not great at communication). At least it proves that it's a true heart change, not just a change for a woman! 

Overall, it's a heart-warming Christmas story, with a tour through the old British Christmas traditions--so much more extensive (and charitable) than our brief modern celebrations. 

Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

Tales from Ivy Hill
1. The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill
2. The Ladies of Ivy Cottage
3. The Bride of Ivy Green
3.5: An Ivy Hill Christmas

Lori Benton's "Mountain Laurel" - Kindred, book 1

Ian Cameron, a Boston cabinetmaker turned frontier trapper, has come to Mountain Laurel hoping to remake himself yet again--into his planter uncle's heir. No matter how uneasily the role of slave owner rests upon his shoulders. Then he meets Seona--beautiful, artistic, and enslaved to his kin. As fascination with Seona turns to love, Ian can no longer be the man others have wished him to be. Though his own heart might prove just as untrustworthy a guide, he cannot simply walk away from those his kin enslaves. With more lives than his and Seona's in the balance, the path Ian chooses now will set the course for generations of Camerons to come.

Lori Benton's books don't shy away from tough subjects, but this one tackles what might be her thorniest subject yet--not just slavery, but the complex relations of children born to slave women and their white masters--and it delves far deeper than I ever would have anticipated. 

The story is gritty and raw and not altogether happy. Rich and historical and faith-filled; hopeful, though in a bittersweet way. But just to be clear, it isn't a depressing read, and (most importantly) this is the first book of a duology. So while I wasn't wholly satisfied with where the book ended, I can rest secure in the knowledge that it isn't the end of the story! Rumors indicate that Joseph-Tames-His-Horse (from Burning Sky) will have a significant role in the sequel, and that would draw me in even if I weren't already thoroughly invested. 

If you are interested in a rich, deeply-layered historical, with complex characters and a story that reaches far beyond race, then I highly recommend this novel.

Kindred:

1. Mountain Laurel

2. Shiloh
2.5 The Journey of Run's Far

Related novels (in chronological order):

The King's Mercy

The Wood's Edge

A Flight of Arrows

Burning Sky

"The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus" by Jaime Jo Wright

1928: The Bonaventure Circus is a refuge for many, but Pippa Ripley was rejected from its inner circle as a baby. When she receives mysterious messages from someone called the "Watchman," she is determined to find him and the connection to her birth. As Pippa's search leads her to a man seeking justice for his murdered sister and evidence that a serial killer has been haunting the circus train, she must decide if uncovering her roots is worth putting herself directly in the path of the killer.

Present day: The old circus train depot will either be torn down or preserved for historical importance, and its future rests on real estate project manager Chandler Faulk's shoulders. As she dives deep into the depot's history, she's also balancing a newly diagnosed autoimmune disease and the pressures of single motherhood. When she discovers clues to the unsolved murders of the past, Chandler is pulled into a story far darker and more haunting than even an abandoned train depot could portend.

I'm not sure that there is anyone better than Jaime Jo Wright at writing a dual timeline novel, and the fact that she manages to do it with a dark and eerie suspense--in both timelines--makes it all the more amazing. The two timelines are intricately interwoven so that you'd hardly have a story if you cut out one or the other, and that cannot be said for all dual timelines I've read. Each is equally enthralling, and through it all, in both timelines, the creepiness and suspense builds and builds.

The past timeline shows a glimpse of circus life I'd not experienced before; rather than focus on the performers and performances--and all their ensuing drama--this was more about the separation of the ownership and the circus folk, and Pippa's struggles with knowing that she was born to one yet raised to other--part of both yet fitting with neither. Chandler's story takes on some less common themes too--single motherhood as a result of a promiscuous youth and an unrelated chronic debilitating disease. In spite of feeling like a worthless screw-up due to her past, Chandler is impressive with her tenacity and fierce love for her child.

Both Pippa and Chandler have gone through life feeling like nobody sees them, least of all God. And they are definitely not alone in that--I've struggled with the same feeling, even in the face of other blessings and proof of God's care. In Genesis 16:13, God is specifically called "You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees," probably as a specific reminder to those of us who struggle with feeling unseen. That aspect of the story alone would have endeared it to me, but combined with all the other elements of a story well-told, it easily rates a full five stars. Highly recommended!

Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.