Letter Perfect

Ruth Caldwell is one of the kind of young ladies who is an accident waiting to happen. Having been asked to leave several finishing schools since she does not seem to have a sense of decorum and finding herself in endless scrapes, Ruth heads west to meet her father after her mother passes away. 

Greed and secrets abound at the Broken P Ranch and Ruth must decide on who she can trust as she learns that she is a wealthy young lady. The writing was well done and there were many people that I enjoyed getting to know who loved and nurtured Ruth. The plot twists that happen towards the end of the story makes clear what happened to Ruth’s father and some of the things that were occurring at the ranch. 

Ruth’s funny blunders and tender heart make her such a delightful young lady. I was glad to see that her new home was the perfect place for her. This is the first book in the California Historical Series and there were several characters that I became interested in their stories and I am looking forward to seeing what happens.

Winning the Gentleman

I loved everything about this book! Kristi Ann Hunter writes a story that speaks truth through funny and romantic scenes and lovable characters. The complex and caring Aaron Whitworth finds himself in a predicament of locating a jockey in a very short amount of time. Quite by accident and by some amount of deception, circus performer Sophia Fitzroy becomes the answer to his problem. Opposites attract is seen so clearly with Aaron and Sophie. He is quiet, brooding, and likes to be alone. Sophie is talkative to a fault, optimistic, and thinks the more people the better. I saw their combined personalities as being an unbreakable bond and that together they are a wonderful couple. The changes that Aaron goes through in this story were profound. He realizes that all of the years that he falsely believed things about himself is really not who he is, and that he can be free. There are so many applications to this one truth that I have been considering since I finished the book. I was so happy to see several characters from Aaron’s life who are in previous books be mentors and guides. Their love, encouragement, and truth-speaking helped Aaron to let go of past misconceptions and start afresh. Some of my favorite quotes are from Aaron’s friends. “Stop being a chub and fight for the woman you love.” “Because in my opinion, which I value rather highly, people in love are stupid.” "I’m not in love.” “No, she sighed, “But you could have been. And there is something to be pitied about a man who avoids even the chance.” There are hints of things to come for book three of the Hearts on the Heath series. I am eagerly waiting to see whose story will be told next. I highly recommend this inspirational Regency romance. I was given this book by the author and was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

About the Author

Kristi is the award winning author of Regency romance novels from a Christian worldview. Her books include the Hawthorne House serie, the Haven Manor series, and the recently published first stories of the Hearts on the Heath series. Beyond writing, she is also speaker, teaching classes in writing as well as Biblical and spiritual topics. She has spoken to writers' groups, schools, and young women's groups at churches. 

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When she is not writing or interacting with her readers, Kristi spends time with her family and her church. A graduate of Georgia Tech with a computer science degree, she can also be found fiddling with her computer in her free time. A born lover of stories she is also an avid reader. From very young she dreamed of sharing her own stories with others and praises God daily that she gets to live that dream today. 

Not a Sparrow Falls

The wild west was never wilder in this fun western romance by Lynette Bonner.  Charlotte Brindle, a young teacher from Boston decides to go to Wyldhaven where she can begin a new life. But, this new beginning just might kill her. 

Charlotte is just the kind of young lady that a first new frontier town needs, although she doesn't know it. She is baptized with fire before she even arrives into the town by her stagecoach being fired upon and being taken hostage by one of the passengers. She is ready to take the next stagecoach home, but the town has a week to convince her to stay. 

Charlotte was such a sweet young lady who I found to be delightful for several reasons. She is a schoolmarm (just like me); she was able to see past outward appearances and into the heart of people; she is willing to take chances, and she was able to let go of past hurts and trust God and others. 

Reagan Callahan is the perfect sheriff for Wyldhaven. He has a gruff exterior to deter culprits, but a caring heart for all of those under his care. How can he help this beautiful, impetuous woman stay safe while she is oblivious to the dangers that are around her? It was so fun to see his relationship with Charlotte develop and change.  

I found the people of Wyldhaven to be just the right mix. With wonderfully giving and generous people, I am looking forward to learning more about the folks of this little town. This is the first book in the Wyldhaven series, and while it can be a stand alone, I was intrigued by the other townsfolk that I have the next book, On Eagles' Wings, on my To Be Read list. 

About the Book: 

Schoolteacher Charlotte Brindle is relieved that her long journey from Boston to Wyldhaven is about to come to an end. And then the bullets start flying! As she sprawls on the floor of the coach and curls her arms around her head, she wonders whatever in the world possessed her to give up the civility of a Boston school for the promise of adventure on the wild frontier?!

Her fellow passenger, an elderly man named Patrick Waddell, has obviously angered the men outside. And he has no intentions of going down without a fight—or without a bargaining chip!

Sheriff Reagan Callahan grinds his teeth in frustration when Patrick Waddell emerges from the coach with the tiny slip of a schoolteacher as his hostage. Reagan's perfectly planned-out capture has just been shot to smithereens. What had the town's founder been thinking when he hired a woman like her? A petite and prim woman was not the kind of teacher Wyldhaven needed. He should be back at his desk drinking coffee! Instead, he now has to mount a rescue!

Take the next stagecoach to Wyldhaven, 
where the coffee's perked hot, 
the sheriff likes his apple pie fresh from the oven, 
and adventure invariably waits just around the next river bend.

Fancy Pants

Last winter I saw a recommendation on Facebook group for this rom-com. I listened to it on Hoopla and I am so glad I did!  It was one of the funniest books I have listened to as the narrator’s characterization of each of the characters was perfect, especially Big Tim Creighton. 

Wealthy Lady Sydney Hathwell left England to marry an American businessman after her father’s passing. With thoughts of love and a new life, Sydney is in for a rude awakening as her fiancé only sees their marriage as a business arrangement. Being totally repulsed by the thoughtless and greedy man, Sydney sees only one option: flee. Thus begins the adventure of “Syd” as she tries to pass herself off as a young man on her uncle’s Texas cattle ranch. 

The funny things and misunderstandings that happen to Syd had me laughing throughout the book. Big Tim thinks Syd is a sissy and is trying to make “him” into a man, including putting weights on his hips to correct the way he walks. Syd finds purpose, love, and acceptance with the people of  Gooding, Texas. After I finished listening to it, I wanted to start all over. It was that good.   

If you are looking for a side-splitting, faith-filled book, then I think you will enjoy reading the first book of the two in the Only in Gooding series. 

About the Book: 

When Britisher Lady Sydney Hathwell's father dies, the American who planned to wed her suddenly reneges. Stranded in America and penniless, Sydney contacts a relative in Texas who, mistaking her male-sounding name, invites his "nephew" to join him on his ranch.

"Big Tim" Creighton, however, is appalled when this mincing fop arrives at Forsaken. He determines he'll turn Fancy Pants Hathwell into a man before the boss returns home. From the get-go, he has "the kid" mucking stalls, clearing and plowing a field, and assisting with a difficult calving. But when Sydney's true identity is uncovered, Tim resents being deceived. Yet in time, he also finds that he doesn't like all the attention Sydney garners now that she's wearing pretty gowns...

Together Sydney and Tim will discover the importance of family and what it means to be a man--and a woman--of God. 

 

Pining for Lord Lockhart

Charity Standish is strong, passionate woman who cares about a great number of things, particularly education of the poor and women’s suffrage. While this was considered not in vogue during her time, Charity’s strength of character and her convictions make her a wonderfully strong and extremely likable young lady.

Andrew Lockhart is loyal, caring, and compassionate. He is one of the few men who truly appreciates Charity’s intelligence and her motivation in wanting to better other’s lives. He does everything he can to support her causes by attending meetings and giving of his money and time to an inner city school. He even ends up teaching the first day of class at the new school! Charity and Andrew are perfectly suited for each other. So, why doesn’t he propose? 

Andrew is the kind of man who would do whatever he could for someone, even at the expense of his own happiness. He is presented with a situation that the vast majority of men would have said it was not their problem. But, Andrew is not like everyone else and gives up his opportunity to court Charity in order to help out a childhood friend. I liked Andrew before, but my admiration for him grew tenfold for what he did. I was glad to see things work out and Charity and Andrew to have their happy ending after all. 

This is the fifth book of the Lords for the Sisters of Sussex and I think you will enjoy reading about the other sisters in this clean Regency romance series. Thank you to the author of a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Danger on the Loch

 

The romantic suspense novel of Danger on the Loch immediately captured me into a tangled web of murder, secrets, deceit, and criminal activity. With many of the characters hiding behind friendly facades, I found myself suspicious and wary, even the police officials. 

Paisley Clark is passionate about photography. As she looks for “just the right shot” I found this to be an important and endearing part of Paisley’s character. She doesn’t mean to be so daring, it just happens when she tries to capture what she sees. Watching her enthusiasm and child-like exuberance is what draws James Pressley-Coombes to Paisley. It was sweet to see him realize that Paisley, his childhood friend, was the woman he loved and grew to cherish and protect. 

While I liked Paisley and James, I liked the dowager Cameron (Granny) the most.  I especially liked her role as fairy godmother when Paisley had to go to a ball. She opened up her heart to Paisley and gave her love, a sense of belonging, and a legacy that would always be treasured. 

I enjoyed the descriptive writing of the Scottish countryside, drawing me in so  I felt I was there looking out on the moor, the dark caves, and the mysterious loch. The Gaelic sayings that were interspersed throughout the book added to the charm of the characters. I appreciated having a glossary of Scottish sayings for things I may not have known and it was easy to refer to it if needed. 

While this is a stand alone book, there are two more books that involve the Pressley-Coombes family. I look forward to reading the other stories and recommend this book.

I received this complimentary E-book from Covenant Communications Publishers via NetGalley in order to provide an honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and all thoughts and opinions are my own.