BACKCOUNTRY BRIDES Collection. Recommendation by Rebecca Maney

 

"When I look at ye, Jenny White, I see . . . the kind of woman bred to life on a frontier. The kind who not only survives, but thrives . . . . . who stood her ground before savages, or fed her family through the winter. Or got this wounded lout on a horse, fished a bullet out of his leg, and cured him with herbs." - Across Three Autumns, Denise Weimer

It was a harsh world in the mid-to-late 1700's, especially for women. All up and down the East coast and beyond, remnants of wars and conflict battled for attention; killing men, women, children, and friends in its bloody wake. With the skill and grace that you would expect from this group of authors, a story emerges. A story filled with determination, bravery and courage; hard work, severe loss, new beginnings. It's the story of our country, with a focus on eight women who were determined to make freedom their home; accepting the risk of losing their hearts in the process.

"The woman had called it, 'the price of love'. " - A Heart So Tender, Debra E. Marvin

I purchased a print copy of this book and received a digital copy from Net Galley. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.

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Travel into Colonial America where eight women seek love, but they each know a future husband requires the necessary skills to survive in the backcountry. Living in areas exposed to nature’s ferocity, prone to Indian attack, and cut off from regular supplies, can hearts overcome the dangers to find lasting love?

Shenandoah Hearts by Carrie Fancett Pagels
1754 - Great Wagon Road, into the Shenandoah Valley (Virginia)
As the French-Indian War commences, Magda Sehler wonders if Jacob Owens lost his mind to have abandoned his Philadelphia business and moved to the Shenandoah Valley. Or has he lost his heart?

Heart of Nantahala by Jennifer Hudson Taylor
1757 - (North Carolina)
Joseph Gregory plans to buy a lumber mill, but Mabel Walker becomes a formidable opponent. When she’s forced to make a painful decision, she must choose between survival and love.

Her Redcoat by Pegg Thomas
1763 - Fort Michilimackinac (Michigan) during Pontiac’s Rebellion
Laurette Pettigrew grew up in the northern frontier. Henry Bedlow arrived against his will. Their chance meeting changes everything. Will a deadly clash of cultures keep them from finding happiness?

A Heart So Tender by Debra E. Marvin
1764 – (New York)
As thousands of Native warriors converge on Fort Niagara, jaded British Lieutenant Archibald Walsh and idealistic schoolmistress Susannah Kimball learn the greatest risk lies in guarding their hearts.

A Worthy Groom by Angela K. Couch
1771 - Sapling Grove settlement on the Holston River (Tennessee)
The Cowden temper has been Marcus’s lifelong bane. A trait Lorinda Cowden curses. Now, winning the heart of his bride hinges on fighting a war without raising a fist.

Across Three Autumns by Denise Weimer
1778-1780 – (Georgia)
Fighting Loyalists and Indians, Jenny White settles for strength over love . . .until Scottish scout Caylan McIntosh leads her family on a harrowing exodus out of Georgia’s Revolutionary “Hornet’s Nest.”

The Counterfeit Tory by Shannon McNear
1781 – (South Carolina)
Tasked with infiltrating an infamous Tory gang, Jed Wheeler has no wish to endanger the leader’s cousin, Lizzy Cunningham. He risks not only his life. . .but his heart.

Love’s Undoing by Gabrielle Meyer
1792 - Fur Post on the Upper Mississippi River (Minnesota)
When Englishman Henry Kingsley meets Abi McCrea, the daughter of a Scottish fur trader and Indian mother, will their worlds keep them apart, or have they finally found somewhere they truly belong?


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THE MASTERPIECE by Francine Rivers, reviewed by Kim

I know that whenever I pick up a Francine Rivers book, I’m in for a treat. I was so excited when I found out she had a new fiction book coming out after what seemed like such a long time. I have to admit, when I read the synopsis, I wasn’t super excited. I mean a successful artist with an alter ego as a graffiti artist named the Bird? Hmmm....But, it’s Francine Rivers so I knew I had to read it and boy was it worth the wait. 

Francine is an excellent author. She writes in such a way that you just want to keep reading and when you have to stop for real life things, you are still thinking about the characters.  

This book hits on some really tough issues. Both Roman’s and Grace’s history will break your heart and really makes you understand who they are as adults. I loved Roman’s story and how he was completely changed by Christ on so many different levels. Grace is so real and so sweet, you can’t help but like her. There are some really great secondary characters too. I highly recommend this book and can’t wait for Francine’s next one! 

BACK COVER BLURB:
New York Times bestselling author Francine Rivers returns to her romance roots with this unexpected and redemptive love story, a probing tale that reminds us that mercy can shape even the most broken among us into an imperfect yet stunning masterpiece.

A successful LA artist, Roman Velasco appears to have everything he could possibly want—money, women, fame. Only Grace Moore, his reluctant, newly hired personal assistant, knows how little he truly has. The demons of Roman’s past seem to echo through the halls of his empty mansion and out across his breathtaking Topanga Canyon view. But Grace doesn’t know how her boss secretly wrestles with those demons: by tagging buildings as the Bird, a notorious but unidentified graffiti artist—an alter ego that could destroy his career and land him in prison.

Like Roman, Grace is wrestling with ghosts and secrets of her own. After a disastrous marriage threw her life completely off course, she vowed never to let love steal her dreams again. But as she gets to know the enigmatic man behind the reputation, it’s as if the jagged pieces of both of their pasts slowly begin to fit together . . . until something so unexpected happens that it changes the course of their relationship—and both their lives—forever.

5 stars! 

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A SEARCH FOR REFUGE by Kristi Ann Hunter, Reviewed by Paula Shreckhise

Another delightful tale from Kristi Ann Hunter. 

In 1804 England, Margaretta is fleeing for her life and trying to find her friend Katherine, who disappeared under questionable circumstances. Can she find the answers and refuge in Marlborough? Are Mrs Lancaster, a local shopkeeper, and Nash Banfield, a solicitor, people she can trust or will they reveal her whereabouts to her father and unscrupulous brother-in-law? Margaretta is out of her element. Having grown up in wealth and comfort, she now has to fend for herself. Will Nash be the one to help her and get to the bottom of who she is running from and who she is trying to protect? 

This is a very well-rounded novella, providing intrigue in a historical English setting. 
Kristi always portrays interesting, believable characters. The faith element is very natural to the story, giving depth and insight. 
I can’t wait for the next full length novel! 

BACK COVER BLURB:
Margaretta Fortescue desperately needs to disappear from London society, and her only hope is to follow the rumors of another young woman who recently made a life for herself away from the glare of society. Her search leads her to the market town of Marlborough where, in spite of her efforts to avoid attention, she can't seem to elude local solicitor Nash Banfield.

All Nash wants is a quiet, sedate life--no risks or surprises. When Margaretta, clearly on the run and unwilling to answer questions, interrupts his solitude, his curiosity and his principles won't let him leave this determined woman without assistance.

But will discovering the truth about Margaretta make him think twice about finally taking a risk on love?

A Search for Refuge is an e-only novella that gives an exciting introduction to Kristi Ann Hunter's new Regency historical romance series, Haven Manor! Includes an extended excerpt of the first full-length novel in the series, A Defense of Honor.

* I purchased this free novella from Amazon. All opinions are my own.*

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THE WEAVER'S DAUGHTER by Sarah Ladd, Review by Karen Klepsteen

The Weaver's Daughter is such a unique glimpse into England's history. I had no idea that there was so much pushback during their Industrial Revolution, but after reading this book, I can definitely see why. Sarah Ladd does a fantastic job of allowing us to see all sides of the story, and Kate's and Henry's points of view are both compelling. The book is written from both of their perspectives, as well as Frederica's, one of the other members of the community of Amberdale. Each of the characters are well fleshed out in the story, and as we come to see each of their motivations and how it leads them to act, we are taken on a very dramatic ride.

Henry Stockton, the hero of the story, has PTSD from taking part in the Napoleonic Wars. As it is nowhere near the time when it was publicly acknowledged, Henry's behaviors are a challenge for him and lead to some awkward situations. He longs for peace at home after dealing with war abroad, and he hopes to help his family's business move into the next phase of fabric production which includes weaving machines.

Kate Dearborne, the heroine, is initially distrustful of Henry as the Stocktons are bitter business rivals of her family. Her family's business maintains the traditional method of hand weaving fabric, and they are opposed to the automation that is sweeping across England and putting many workers out of job. As Henry tries to win Kate's trust, she is slowly drawn to him in such a sweet, romantic way. Their conversations, while sometimes heated, lead to growth for both them and the citizens of Amberdale. This is not without some serious growing pains, and the last part of the book is very exciting! This story has all of the hallmarks of a Regency classic, and the way that Henry declares his feelings for Kate is so incredibly romantic. I rarely swoon, but oh, those words! I won't give it away, but I highly recommend this book for all of its drama, romance, and intrigue!


BACK COVER BLURB:
Kate's loyalties bind her to the past. Henry's loyalties compel him to strive for a better future. In a landscape torn between tradition and vision, can two souls find the strength to overcome their preconceptions? Loyalty has been at the heart of the Dearborne family for as long as Kate can remember, but a war is brewing in their small village, one that has the power to rip families asunder --including her own. As misguided actions are brought to light, she learns how deep her father's pride and bitterness run, and she begins to wonder if her loyalty is well-placed.

Henry Stockton, heir to the Stockton fortune, returns home from three years at war hoping to find a refuge from his haunting memories. Determined to bury the past, he embraces his grandfather's goals to modernize his family's wool mill, regardless of the grumblings from the local weavers. When tragedy strikes shortly after his arrival, Henry must sort out the truth from suspicion if he is to protect his family's livelihood and legacy. 

Henry has been warned about the Dearborne family. Kate, too, has been advised to stay far away from the Stocktons, but chance meetings continue to bring her to Henry's side, blurring the jagged lines between loyalty, justice, and truth. Kate ultimately finds herself with the powerful decision that will forever affect her village's future. As unlikely adversaries, Henry and Kate must come together to find a way to create peace for their families, and their village, and their souls - even if it means risking their hearts in the process.

Available in paperback, digital ebook, hardcover, and audiobook:

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*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.