THE WARRIOR MAIDEN by Melanie Dickerson, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

"The moment of truth. Or, rather, untruth."

Rather than allowing her recently widowed mother to become destitute, Mulan of of Lithuania bravely disguises herself as a young man and takes her father's place in military service, as the armies of Butautas gather to fend off repeated forays into Poland by the misguided Teutonic Knights. Changing her name to Mikolai, she travels with her father's young attendant in hopes that she can exchange courage and dexterity for strength on the battlefield. She does not have to wait very long for an opportunity to prove herself.

Wolfgang, son of the powerful duke of Hagenheim, is more than just a little curious about the young soldier with the smooth skin and small stature, especially when Mikolai nearly bests him in an archery contest. But when the adolescent warrior bravely leads the entire regiment into the face of their enemy, their connection strengthens . . . . before desperation exposes a well kept secret.

Melanie Dickerson fans will be positively enchanted by the story of Mulan and Wolfgang ,with its raging battles and sweetest of moments, for war has a way of coaxing love to the surface of each and every heart. 

*I bought this novel and was under no obligation to review, nor provide a positive review.

BackCover Blurb:

From New York Times bestselling author Melanie Dickerson comes a fresh reimagining of the classic Mulan tale.

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.

Available in digital ebook, paperback, hardcover and audiobook:
Buy The Warrior Maiden at Amazon
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TOMORROW'S FIRST LIGHT by Naomi Rawlings, Reviewed by Winnie Thomas

Tomorrow’s First Light is the first book in the Texas Promise series by Naomi Rawlings. 

Having read and enjoyed Rawlings’ Eagle Harbor series, I was delighted when one of the characters, Ellie Spritzer, gets her own story in this book. I admired Ellie for her commitment to keeping her 8 siblings together and taking care of them through great hardships. When she travels to Texas to marry Sam, the man she had been writing to for a year, he gets a big surprise when instead of the three siblings he was expecting her to bring, she brings eight of them! Sam is such an amazing hero in this story—so tender-hearted and brave to take on this whole family. Ellie is courageous and determined to care for the siblings as best as she can. She’s also considerate of Sam’s feelings.

Although things quickly get out of hand, and there are some misunderstandings that arise, Sam wants this family of his own and is committed to making things work. His motto “Two is better than one” helps Ellie understand that they need to work together. With plenty of humor, some suspense and intrigue, romance, and a whole lot of faith, hope, courage, this book is a great start to a new series. I’m excited to see what the next one brings.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own. 

BackCover Blurb:
Marrying a stranger to keep the woman's siblings out of an orphanage is one thing, but when more children than expected pour out of the stagecoach, what’s a man to do?

Nervous about meeting her fiancé for the first time, Ellie Spritzer’s lifelong hope of finding love is about to end—or rather, begin. She never imagined her quest for love would take her to the other side of the country with all eight of her siblings in tow, but after her mother dies unexpectedly, what choice does she have? At least the man she’s been writing for the past year is still willing to marry her and take in her siblings… or so she thinks until she arrives in the dusty town of Twin Rivers, Texas.

Growing up an orphan, Sam Owens never had a place to call home or a family to love. So if his wife-to-be needs to bring three of her siblings with her, he has no complaints about having a ready-made family. But his mail-order-bride doesn’t arrive with three. She arrives with eight.

Sam can’t make himself turn away children in need. But as a beginning rancher, he doesn’t have the resources to care for so many people. When sinister forces threaten the things Sam and Ellie both hold dear, can they figure out how to keep their fledgling family together, or will they lose the very things they cherish most?Tomorrow’s First Light is the first book in the Texas Promise Series by bestselling Christian romance author Naomi Rawlings. If you like tender marriage-of-convenience stories, you’ll love this heartwarming tale filled with hope and new beginnings.

Texas Promise Series
Book 1—Tomorrow’s First Light (Sam and Ellie)
Book 2—Tomorrow’s Shining Dream (Daniel and Charlotte--available 2020)
Book 3—Tomorrow’s Constant Hope (Wes and Keely--available 2020)
Book 4—Tomorrow’s Steadfast Prayer (Harrison and Alejandra)
Book 5—Tomorrow’s Lasting Joy (Cain and Anna Mae)

Available in digital ebook and paperback:
Buy Tomorrow's First Light at Amazon

RELEASE DAY - A SILKEN THREAD by Kim Vogel Sawyer, Reviewed by Trixi Oberembt

I have no idea how to review this. So many things jump out at me to write down, and then when I physically sit to do so, those thoughts go right out of my head! Kim Vogel Sawyer is one of my top favorite historical authors and she brings whatever time period she’s writing to life and fleshes out characters so real you could touch them. At the end of each novel, I feel like I’ve made new friends and celebrated each high and low with them. I cared deeply about Laurel and her extended family, Willie and his Pa Otto, and Quincy.

Laurel has dreams of becoming someone’s wife and doting on children she could provide the right man, also giving her Mama grandchildren to adore. She’s young and naïve and has been given an unfair missive by her older siblings. Willie is a hard working man taking care of his Pa after he’s struck with a physical ailment that renders him helpless. Taking the security job at the Expo guarantees he can afford the help for his Pa in a convalescence hospital.

Quincy was a character that really stood out to me. He faced so much prejudice being a black man and society looking down on him. Treated with indifference and tolerated nowhere, my heart hurt for all he went through. Langdon was a character I didn’t like one bit, he was our “villain” if you will. Rich, spoiled, privileged and looks down on those beneath him in social status. I think every good story needs one of these, and at the end, even he has some redeeming qualities!

In a time of social unrest and unbalance, four lives mesh and mold a story that had me thoroughly hooked! Hot topic areas are covered such as racism, bigotry, social status chasms (rich vs. poor), and slavery. I appreciated Sawyer's gentle handling of each topic without losing how real they affected each character in times past. I also loved learning about silk production and weaving, a fascinating topic I’d love to delve more into. Oh, and the authors descriptions of the Expo definitely made me wish I could have jumped into the pages and explore for myself. A thoroughly engaging historical that brings to light the struggles of humanity and a gentle love story to stir the heart.

*I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House on behalf of the author and was under no obligation to leave a favorable review. All opinions expressed here are my own. *

BackCover Blurb:
For readers who love a heartwarming romance and a rich historical setting comes a tale of a young woman with a heavy burden, the International Cotton Exposition, and the pursuit of true love.

Eighteen-year-old Laurel Millard, youngest of seven children, is expected to stay home and "take care of Mama" by her older siblings, but Laurel has dreams of starting her own family. Operating a silk loom at the Atlanta Exposition will give her the chance to capture the heart of a man wealthy enough to take care of Laurel and any children she might bear, as well as her mother.

Langdon Rochester's parents have given him an ultimatum: settle down with a wife or lose his family inheritance. At the Exposition, Langdon meets Laurel. Marrying her would satisfy his parents's command, she would look lovely on his arm for social events, and in her besotted state, he believes she would overlook him continuing pursuing rowdy adventures with his unmarried buddies. Langdon decides to woo Laurel. Willie Sharp is not well-off and must take on an extra job at the Atlanta Exposition as a security guard. When mischief-makers cause trouble in the Women's Building, Willie is put in charge of keeping the building secure. He enjoys visiting with Laurel, who seems like the little sister he never had, but his feelings for Laurel change to something much deeper. Can Willie convince Laurel that he can give her better life--even with so little to offer?

Available in digital ebook, paperback, audiobook and hardcover:
Buy A Silken Thread at Amazon
Buy A Silken Thread at Christianbook.com

WELCOME TO WISHING BRIDGE By Ruth Logan Herne, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

Welcome to Wishing Bridge is the first in a new series by Ruth Logan Herne.

Welcome to Wishing Bridge! By all means, yes! I want to live there! It sounds like the perfect little town but close enough to a big city for shopping. My kind of hometown.

Kelsey McCleary is on the interstate in a snowstorm and is forced to take the exit to Wishing Bridge, N.Y.

A real “welcome”: her car goes off the road, she almost doesn’t get discovered, and to add to the drama— she is in labor!

The book’s circumstances are unbelievable but Ruth Logan Herne makes you believe! This story has all the great elements: Comedy, tragedy, old hurts, mystery, the unforeseen, difficulties, renewed friendship and touching scenes. Ms. Herne pulls off the seemingly improbable and shows that God is still in control and still in the miracle business. This town has a heart for people.

Kelsey’s friends, Thea and Jazz respond to Kelsey’s S.O.S. call and are taken with the people of the town. They are determined to be there for their friend.

My favorite secondary characters are Avis, the motherly midwife and Maggie and Jebb who take Kelsey and her baby into their home. This brings healing to all of them.

I see more stories about Wishing Bridge in the future!

My friend has recommended Ruth Logan Herne to me and I am so glad I finally got to read this exceptional book. I will be sure and keep up with the folks in Wishing Bridge!

*I received this ebook from Amazon Prime Reading. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own. *

BackCover Blurb:

Kelsey is on her way to a life do-over. And it’s not the first time. Abandoned by her drug-addict mother as a teen, she landed in a foster-care group home where she experienced faith and community—and met her best friends, Jazz and Theadora. The trio stuck together like sisters and vowed to make their lives mean something.

Now Kelsey’s pushing thirty, and her life has taken a wrong turn. Pregnant and alone after loving the wrong man, she’s on her way to making another life-changing decision when a wicked blizzard strands her outside the sleepy town of Wishing Bridge.

After being rescued from a snowbank by handsome cop, she’s embraced by the welcoming village, but she still feels upside down. Fortunately, her frantic SOS brings her besties rushing to help sort things out. They soon find that Wishing Bridge has as many secrets as Kelsey does—and she’s connected to it in ways she couldn’t have imagined.

Available in digital ebook, paperback and audiobook:
Buy Welcome to Wishing Bridge at Amazon
Buy Welcome to Wishing Bridge at Christianbook.com