Reviewer's Bookshelf: "Between Two Shores" by Jocelyn Green

Book Summary (Amazon): The daughter of a Mohawk mother and French father in 1759 Montreal, Catherine Duval finds it is easier to remain neutral in a world that is tearing itself apart. Content to trade with both the French and the British, Catherine is pulled into the fray against her wishes when her British ex-fiance, Samuel Crane, is taken prisoner by her father. Samuel asks her to help him escape, claiming he has information that could help end the war. 

Peace appeals to Catherine, but helping the man who broke her heart does not. She delays . . . until attempts on Samuel's life convince her he's in mortal danger. Against her better judgment she helps him flee by river, using knowledge of the landscape to creep ever closer to freedom. Their time together rekindles feelings she thought long buried, and danger seems to hound their every mile. She's risked becoming a traitor by choosing a side, but will the decision cost her even more than she anticipated?

My thoughts... This novel is rich in historical detail from page one. I knew almost nothing about the physical or political landscape of 1700s Canada. The way that Jocelyn Green described it, I could picture many things down to specific detail. This is definitely a strength of this novel. Even the fictional characters could fit right into the pages of history. 
     As far as the plot of the story, it is also quite intense as the characters face very difficult choices and situations, quite like real life. I would definitely characterize this novel as realistic historical fiction. In real life, things don't always come together and work out like you might wish they would. Each character had to work through some emotional trauma and wounds that in some cases led to taking a difficult path, risking their hearts and lives. There is also an aspect of this novel that involves physical and emotional abuse, which I found somewhat disturbing at times, particularly in the way that Catherine's father treated her. His manipulation and abuse led her to stay with him and make excuses for his behavior. This also carried over to the romantic relationship she had with Samuel. He also manipulated Catherine to accomplish the mission he was passionate about. Even though Samuel had good intentions overall, he was not completely honest with Catherine. 
     I certainly credit the author with a well-written novel. The spiritual journey the characters take is engaging without having the "preachy" feel that many readers dislike. I appreciated the historical detail, however {**slight spoiler alert** } I was frustrated with the way that Samuel treated Catherine. This novel is not one that I would consider romantic. I went into it thinking that there would be romantic tension between the two main characters. When they had a few moments together that gave me those butterflies, I later felt a bit cheated when things were not as they seemed. One may consider this a love story as the characters, especially Catherine, learn to love who they are and who God created them to be, but the romantic love story isn't there. To be honest, that was kind of a bummer. 

**I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in order to give an honest review, which I did.**

Reviewer's Bookshelf: "Castle on the Rise" by Kristy Cambron

Book Summary (Amazon): When Laine Forrester travels overseas to attend her best friend’s vineyard wedding, she expects to find the bride on the brink of a fairy-tale life. But after a series of unforeseen setbacks, it seems the storybook lives they’d imagined are suddenly ripping apart.

With hopes of resurrecting a happy ending, Laine agrees to accompany the newlyweds to the groom’s home in Ireland—never expecting she’d be the one drawn in by its wide-open moors, backroads bordering the Irish Sea, and a mysterious castle that dares to keep its secrets hidden.

From the storied streets of Dublin to the shores of the Emerald Isle, Laine is drawn in to the land and its rich history. The castle ruins whisper stories of Issy—a photojournalist battling through the 1916 Easter Rising, and Maeve—the castle’s lady of legend, fighting for survival through the 1798 rebellion that started it all.

Spanning more than two centuries, Castle on the Rise unites the legacy of three women who must risk mending the broken places within for life, love, and the belief that even through the depths of our pain, a masterpiece of a story can emerge.

My thoughts...Part of the author's notes that I believe summarize this book perfectly: "At its core, Castle on the Rise is a story of rebellion--not just the fight for freedom of the Republic of Ireland, but the rebel spirit that arises in each of us as we weather the battles in our own lives. The characters in this novel display courage and resilience when the worst happens and the fairy-tale story begins to crumble. Instead of lamenting what 'should have been,' they dig their heels in the dirt and, with conviction, anchor themselves to the one thing that will see them rise: faith."
     I truly feel that this novel is one of Cambron's best. I loved the history of Ireland woven through the story, which I knew very little about, as well as the fictionalized heroes and heroines. Both fiction and non-fiction aspects reflect the true courage, faith, and passion of the Irish people. Usually I feel a little disappointed when I read novels that slip from one time period to another because there isn't enough plot detail or romantic tension build up. This novel did not leave me feeling that way at all. There was just the right amount of detail in each story line...and each one was very compelling. I didn't want to stop reading because I was so eager to find out what happened next to each set of characters. Even the title was so cleverly done...because not only was the castle physically on the rise, but there were so many other "rises" that played out on the castle grounds: romance, uprisings, healing, courage and so much more. This book has a little bit of everything and I couldn't recommend it enough! So good!

**I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in order to give my honest review, which I did.**

Reviewer's Bookshelf: "Ladies of Intrigue" by Michelle Griep

Book Summary (Amazon): The Gentleman Smuggler’s Lady
Cornish Coast, 1815
When a prim and proper governess returns to England from abroad, she expects to comfort her dying father—not fall in love with a smuggler. Will Helen Fletcher keep Isaac Seaton’s unusual secret?

The Doctor’s Woman (A Carol Award Winner!)
Dakota Territory, 1862
Emmy Nelson, daughter of a missionary doctor, and Dr. James Clark, city doctor aspiring to teach, find themselves working side by side at Fort Snelling during the Dakota Uprising. That is when the real clash of ideals begins.

A House of Secrets
St. Paul, Minnesota, 1890
Ladies Aide Chairman, Amanda Carston resolves to clean up St. Paul’s ramshackle housing, starting with the worst of the worst: a “haunted” house that’s secretly owned by her beau—a home that’s his only means of helping brothel girls escape from the hands of the city’s most infamous madam.

My thoughts...If you like picking up a book that you can read in a day, pick up a novella. This book is a collection of 3 novellas, and only took me a few days of leisurely reading to complete. Each story was a little different, with "The Doctor's Woman" being completely different as it is set in the western US. The other two novellas were set in England. 
Michelle Griep's full length novels are typically filled with exciting plot twists, romantic tension, and a nicely paced story line that will keep you reading from beginning to end. This novella collection is like three miniature versions of that. I personally liked "The Doctor's Woman" more than the other two because i enjoyed the characters and plot line a little more. The western setting is one I'm partial to as well, so I was quickly turning pages to see what would happen next. As with the nature of all novellas, you don't get all of the detail and the romantic aspect is usually sped up a bit. While there are times that I do like the long building up of tension, every so often it's nice to see things move along a little faster! 

**I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via netgalley in order to give an honest review, which I did.**

Reviewer's Bookshelf: "The Warrior Maiden" by Melanie Dickerson

Book Summary (Amazon): She knows women are expected to marry, cook, and have children, not go to war. Can she manage to stay alive, save her mother, and keep the handsome son of a duke from discovering her secret?

When Mulan takes her father’s place in battle against the besieging Teutonic Knights, she realizes she has been preparing for this journey her whole life—and that her life, and her mother’s, depends on her success. As the adopted daughter of poor parents, Mulan has little power in the world. If she can’t prove herself on the battlefield, she could face death—or, perhaps worse, marriage to the village butcher.

Disguised as a young man, Mulan meets the German duke’s son, Wolfgang, who is determined to save his people even if it means fighting against his own brother. Wolfgang is exasperated by the new soldier who seems to be one step away from disaster at all times—or showing him up in embarrassing ways.

From rivals to reluctant friends, Mulan and Wolfgang begin to share secrets. But war is an uncertain time and dreams can die as quickly as they are born. When Mulan receives word of danger back home, she must make the ultimate choice. Can she be the son her bitter father never had? Or will she become the strong young woman she was created to be?

This fresh reimagining of the classic tale takes us to fifteenth-century Lithuania where both love and war challenge the strongest of hearts.

My thoughts...I absolutely fell in love at first sight with this beautiful cover! For me, it's one of the best I've seen. I was intrigued with the idea of a Mulan retelling...I wasn't sure I was going to like it as much as some of the other fairy tale retellings Melanie Dickerson has done. Let's just say from the start that I loved it! And here's why...

     Mulan's courage throughout the novel is inspiring. I love that this is written as a young adult novel...perfect for my almost 12 year old. I let her read it as well and Mulan has become one of her favorite characters. Mulan was willing, over and over, to sacrifice herself for others. Courage, sacrifice, and humility are all character traits that I want for myself, but especially for my pre-teen. I love that this is such a big part of this novel. 

     I also loved the sacrificial love that was part of the romantic aspect of the story. This was a sweet romance, with an appropriate amount of romantic tension for a young adult audience. Woven through the love story was also a friendship that developed between the two main characters, compassion for each other and their circumstances, and each willing to put themselves in harm's way in order to protect the other. I can't help but think about the verse, "Greater love hath no man than this than one who lays his life down for his friend." 

     This is also a faith-based novel, so there are moments in which the characters wrestle with their beliefs and work out their faith. They also ponder the Bible and verses that are meaningful. Again, I like this aspect of the novel as I am personally a woman of faith and my daughter is growing in her faith. 

     I'm so thankful for novels like this that not only have a great storyline, but also explore important themes like honor, love, humility, and faith. This is much needed in our society today, especially for our youth. I'm so glad that I can pass on Melanie's books to my daughter with confidence that we'll both come away encouraged and entertained. 

**I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, in order to give an honest review, which I did.**

Reviewer's Bookshelf: "It's Not Supposed to Be This Way" by Lysa Terkeurst

Book Summary (Amazon): What do you do when God’s timing seems questionable, His lack of intervention hurtful, and His promises doubtful?

Life often looks so very different than we hoped or expected. Some events may simply catch us off guard for a moment, but others shatter us completely. We feel disappointed and disillusioned, and we quietly start to wonder about the reality of God’s goodness.

Lysa TerKeurst understands this deeply. But she's also discovered that our disappointments can be the divine appointments our souls need to radically encounter God. In It's Not Supposed to Be This Way, Lysa invites us into her own journey of faith and, with grit, vulnerability, and honest humor, helps us to:

• Stop being pulled into the anxiety of disappointment by discovering how to better process unmet expectations and other painful situations.
• Train ourselves to recognize the three strategies of the enemy so we can stand strong and persevere through unsettling relationships and uncertain outcomes.
• Discover the secret of being steadfast and not panicking when God actually does give us more than we can handle.
• Shift our suspicion that God is cruel or unfair to the biblical assurance that God is protecting and preparing us.
• Know how to encourage a friend and help her navigate hard realities with real help from God's truth.

My thoughts... The tagline of this novel couldn't be more relevant to myself or my family. We've been through a lot of difficult circumstances: cancer, loss of loved ones, financial debt, difficult job situations, isolation, depression, sadness, fear....and the list goes on. Sometimes it's hard not to feel like we live in a never ending survival mode. There are so many truths presented in this amazing book, I couldn't begin to unpack them all in a short summary. I literally felt like it was so personal, and I know other readers will as well. Lysa's compassion, honesty, hope, and trust in God really reached across the pages right into my heart...because she's not just giving us her word that everything is going to be ok. She's using her heart-wrenching experiences to share God's Word and His promises.
     In one chapter Lysa talks about a physically painful situation she went through. For several days she begged God to relieve the physical pain she was experiencing. She didn't understand why God was not giving her relief from her suffering. Later, after doctors discovered the problem and did surgery, her surgeon came and spoke with her. Basically he said that Lysa's survival was a miracle, as her body had already started to decay on the inside. The truth God revealed to her through that situation was that if He had answered her prayer for relief, she would've given up trying to find the solution to her issue. She would've died thinking that the problem was solved, when in fact it was killing her. God uses our pain, our suffering, for our good. We may not always know the reason at the time, but with time we will see that He truly does "work all things for the good of those who love Him."
     Lysa has an amazing testimony, and she openly shares it with her readers as an encouragement through the very difficult circumstances of life. I'm recommending it to everyone I know...because I think we've all whispered the words, "it's not supposed to be this way" in our hearts in one season or another. 

**I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in order to give an honest review, which I did.**

Reviewer's Bookshelf: "With This Pledge" by Tamera Alexander

Book Summary...Elizabeth "Lizzie" Clouston's quietly held principles oppose those of the Southern Cause--but when forty thousand soldiers converge on the fields of Franklin, Tennessee, the war demands an answer. The Carnton home, where she is governess, is converted into a Confederate hospital, and Lizzie is called upon to assist the military doctor with surgeries that determine life or death. Faced with the unimaginable, she must summon fortitude, even as she fears for the life of Towny, her fiancé and lifelong friend.

  

As a young soldier lies dying in Lizzie's arms, she vows to relay his final words to his mother, but knows little more than the boy's first name. That same night, decorated Mississippi sharpshooter Captain Roland Ward Jones extracts a different promise from Lizzie: that she intervene should the surgeon decide to amputate his leg.

  

Lizzie is nothing if not a woman of her word, earning the soldiers' respect as she tends to the wounded within Carnton's walls. None is more admiring than Captain Jones, who doesn't realize she is pledged to another. But as Lizzie's heart softens toward the Confederate captain, she discovers his moral ground is at odds with her own. Now torn between love, principles, and pledges made, she struggles to be true to her own heart while standing for what she knows is right--no matter the cost.

My thoughts...Our family travels to Nashville,TN around twice a year and last summer I had the privilege to take a tour of the Carnton home. I was fascinated by the history and the grounds of this beautiful historic landmark. As I read With This Pledge, I was thrilled with the way that Tamera Alexander wove so much of the history into the novel. It is obvious that she has done extensive research, including side stories that actually took place within the walls of Carnton. All of the characters, even the fictional ones, came to life through her expert storytelling. I had a hard time putting the book down!
     Lizzie and Roland's story was one of my favorites by this author! I loved the chemistry that was created between these two that began with the first few pages of the book. Lizzie's compassion for those in need complemented Roland's physical and emotional vulnerability. I also appreciated the way that the author addressed the varying perspectives of those living in the North and South at the time of the Civil War. It was an honest portrayal of the prejudices and struggles of both sides of the battle, and ultimately showed how God can bring clarity to the heart and mind, even in very difficult circumstances.
     I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and would also recommend the novella, Christmas at Carnton, written by the same author.

*I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in order to give an honest review, which I did.*

   

Reviewer's Bookshelf: "A Bound Heart" by Laura Frantz

Book Summary (Amazon): Though Magnus MacLeish and Lark MacDougall grew up on the same castle grounds, Magnus is now laird of the great house and the Isle of Kerrera. Lark is but the keeper of his bees and the woman he is hoping will provide a tincture that might help his ailing wife conceive and bear him an heir. But when his wife dies suddenly, Magnus and Lark find themselves caught up in a whirlwind of accusations, expelled from their beloved island, and sold as indentured servants across the Atlantic. Yet even when all hope seems dashed against the rocky coastline of the Virginia colony, it may be that in this New World the two of them could make a new beginning--together.

My thoughts... The first time I saw the cover of this novel I was drawn in. What a beautiful image of the main character, Lark, and the place where this epic tale begins. I can picture in my mind the cliff's edge where Lark lived with her Granny on the Isle of Kerrera in Scotland. It definitely makes me wish I could go there myself. The amazing amount of detail put into this novel breathes life into its characters and settings as we are taken on a journey that begins in Scotland, moves on board a ship to colonial Virginia, and even to the Caribbean Islands. The sights, sounds and smells come alive and create a feast for the senses. 

The novel definitely stays true to its genre of historical Christian fiction, including the Christian faith of the characters (without being "preachy"). The hardships of life in Scotland and the reality of how lives can be turned upside down because of deception and bribery are not sugar coated. Even as they were forced upon a ship bound for America, Lark and Magnus came face to face with human depravity. The horrors of slavery and life on a colonial plantation, as well as a sugar plantation in the Caribbean Islands, were written realistically, but not in overwhelming graphic detail. While there was much hardship, the strong bond between many of the characters offered support, care, and the will to press on. In several instances, Lark was approached by men who wanted to court her, and accepting them could've made her life easier. In each situation, Lark sought God's guidance and made sure that whoever she accepted would share her faith. I also loved the bond between Magnus and Lark. They grew up together on the Isle of Kerrera, and developed a dedicated friendship in their early years. That deep friendship continued throughout the novel, as they both wanted what was best for the other, which is a true depiction of Biblical love. You will delight in the journey you'll take with Lark and Magnus! Devotion, faith, endurance, and love are all beautifully depicted in this novel. I highly recommend it!

Personal takeaway...We can trust God with our deepest fears, greatest losses, and need for love. He is faithful to walk with us through all of these.

I LOVE this fun cookie cutter and recipe that came with my copy of A Bound Heart! Can't wait to try it out! 

**I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in order to share my honest opinion, which I did.**