Category Archives: Historicals

The Lawyer’s Luck

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When future lawyer Lawrence accidentally shoots Realie for stealing his horse, his life drastically changes. Realie is an escaped slave and she’s so close to freedom, but now, she has a major setback. She’s been shot and now she’s injured. She’s in no condition to travel.

For some strange reason, Realie finds herself drawn to Lawrence, whom she calls Lawyer. He seems determined to help her, plus he’s a free and educated man. What would he want to do with the likes of her? Besides, they’re from two opposite worlds – all Lawyer seems to know about slavery is what he’s read in the newspapers, he’s never been a slave.

This book had me mesmerized from the first page. It’s well-written and the characters really came to life. Lawrence’s and Realie’s attraction is deep and real (no pun intended), and in spite of their being total opposites, you can see how they suit one another.

This book is the prequel to the Milford College Series! Can’t wait to read the rest of them! 🙂

Head In The Clouds

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Head In The Clouds

When Adelaide’s supposed beau leaves her, with little explanation, she figures that he’s the mate that God had intended for her. She gives up her teaching job, leaves her home, all on a wild goose chase to go after this man! After all, they’re destined to be together! She’s shocked at what she finds when she encounters her supposed beau. She’s now left destitute and jobless in a foreign land. She sees a newspaper ad for a governess and her life drastically changes.

When Adelaide arrives on the sheep farm, she meets Gideon, her new boss, and his mute daughter, Isabella.

Gideon and Adelaide are attracted to each other, but, Adelaide wonders if she can take a chance on Gideon’s attraction. After all, she’s been hurt in the past.

I liked this book. I liked the attraction between Gideon and Adelaide, and I also loved how he defended her, showing how much he cared for her. I also loved Gideon’s love for his daughter, and what he did to protect her from her evil uncle.

I had a lot of sympathy for Isabella (Gideon’s mute daughter). She’s lost both of her biological parents, and she’s got an evil uncle who’ll stop at NOTHING to get her inheritance. I also felt bad that Isabella had to spend her life practically alone.

I’ve noticed this scenario in other historical settings – you have a young child with no playmates and little or no interaction with other children. It just sounds like a sad and lonely life for a child, not having any interaction with peers. It was nice how Adelaide reached out to Isabella, hoping she’d speak, trying to make Isabella’s life more fun.

Overall, a good read.

Within My Heart by Tamera Alexander

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Within My Heart by Tamera Alexander

Have you ever lost a spouse? If so, did you ever get married again?

Widowed, Rachel Boyd is struggling to raise her two boys alone while trying to keep her failing ranch afloat. She finds herself attracted to Rand Brookston, the new doctor in town. However, she’s not over the death of her husband, plus, her father was a doctor, and she knows how hectic a doctor’s life can be. Is Rand really the right man for her?

Rand struggles with fears from the past, fears that haunt him every night. He’s afraid of the dark, sleeping with his lamp on, plagued with traumatic memories. He cares for the people in the small town, often deferring payment since he knows that it’s imperative to give others medical treatment. Rand’s love of medicine and caring for others is shown by how he cares for a critically ill friend. He’s also attracted to Rachel, but, wonders if he’ll ever overcome his fears, so that he can be free to fall in love.

I enjoyed this book. The characters were rich and deep and there were a lot of secondary characters that added depth to the novel. If you like historicals, then you’ll probably enjoy this book. I also enjoyed reading about the life of a doctor during historical times. The author did great research and I recognized some of the medicine used by Rand. I currently use a lot of herbal remedies for ailments and I noticed that during historical times, they used lots of herbal remedies since Western medicine, as we know it today, was not yet used (far as I know).

So, have you ever lost a spouse? If so, how long did you wait before you got married again?

Iscariot by Tosca Lee

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I wanted to mention Iscariot by Tosca Lee. I posted an interview with the author awhile back. I’ve finally read the novel and I really enjoyed it! If you like biblical fiction then you’ll love this book! Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, but, this book gives insight as to why Judas betrayed Jesus. You see Judas’s traumatic childhood and all of the turmoil he had to endure when he grew up. Death, destruction, war….

My favorite parts of this book? I loved reading about Jesus! The way this novel showed Jesus healing others, baptizing…I’ve often wondered what it would’ve been like to actually see Jesus’s miracles! I think this novel gives us a good taste as to what it would’ve been like to see Jesus in the flesh!

If you haven’t done so already, you should give this book a try!

The Hope Within By Tracie Peterson

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The Hope Within by Tracie Peterson

Do you have a hard time bonding with your in-laws?

When Diane’s husband (Cole) father gets ill, he must return to his childhood home before his father dies. He brings Diane and his children with him – his father has never met Diane nor has he ever seen Cole’s children. Once they arrive, Diane and her children get a mean, chilly reception from Cole’s mother and sisters. Cole’s mother’s attitude places a splinter in Cole’s and Diane’s marriage, placing the welfare of their children in jeopardy. But Cole feels torn, he wants to please his mother as well as his family – he wants to make everything right but has a hard time doing this. Diane’s in-laws fail to bond with her, in spite of her repeated attempts at friendship.

This was a good historical story that touches upon a lot of issues, including race, familial relationships, and rape. The book was a quick read and I highly recommend it.

So, do you have a hard time bonding with your in-laws? Leave a comment!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Stealing The Preacher by Karen Witemeyer

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Stealing The Preacher

Have you ever dated a preacher?

Crockett Archer’s life is about to change forever. When some bandits kidnap him from a passenger train as a birthday gift for a daughter, he wonders why God has placed him in such a circumstance.

When Joanna Robbins meets her “gift” she’s flabbergasted. She needs a preacher for their abandoned church, and Crockett Archer seems a perfect candidate. However, Crockett has other plans, he’s already set to take a pastoral position elsewhere.

Joanna finds herself smitten with handsome Crockett. Is he really an answer to her prayers? Can Crockett soften her father (Silas) heart, opening him up so that he can accept Jesus into his life?

I really enjoyed this book. It started off with a bang and just kept moving along at a good, steady pace. I really loved the inspirational message in the book. Joanna really feels that Crockett may be the right preacher to lead their church and to soften her father’s heart. Also, Joanna is still grieving over the death of her mother. She finds solace in her art studio painting pictures – a talent she’s inherited from her mother.

Crockett is different than most preachers. He’s a former hardworking rancher, who lived on a secluded ranch with his brothers for several years. Unlike most preachers, he’ll physically fight when he needs to. He has a deep heart for God and feels called to preach.

The characters and the scenery in this book were so amazing and well done. I loved this book and look forward to reading the rest of the books in this series.

Have you ever dated a clergyman? If so, what happened? How long did you date? Did you ever marry?

My romance collection is on sale for 99 cents each.

26525EB Bittersweet Memories

– See more at: http://ceceliadowdy.com/blog/#sthash.CCaqUWmO.dpuf

Traces Of Mercy by Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley

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Traces of Mercy by Michael Landon Jr. and Cindy Kelley

Has a nun ever impacted your life?

When a young, beautiful woman awakens in a doctor’s office, she’s stunned and confused. Suffering from amnesia, she can’t remember her name, where she’s from, or what she looks like. She spends time with the kind doctor until he finds a home for her with a group of nuns. The nuns grant her the name Mercy because of the Mercy medallion she wears around her neck.

Although Mercy stays with the nuns, she wonders about her background. When she meets Rand Prescott, her life changes. However, how can she move forward with her life when she knows nothing about her past?

Rand is smitten with beautiful Mercy. Since she suffers from amnesia, he wonders if she’s married, perhaps a family is around, searching for her.

Mercy gains knowledge of a deep, dark secret about herself. It’s hard to accept this knowledge about her life….what will Rand think when he finds out the truth about her past?

I really enjoyed this book! It’s a great historical novel and the unusual storyline really drew me in. I really wanted to see what happened to Mercy since she didn’t know about her past. She writes in a journal, hoping that by doing so, it may be a catalyst to help her to remember her past. This journal turns out to be a major catalyst in the novel.

I also enjoyed reading about Mercy’s time with the nuns. I’ve never known a nun personally. Everything I know about nuns is what’s portrayed in books and movies.

Many thanks to publisher David C. Cook and NetGalley for providing me with a free review copy.

So, has a nun ever impacted your life? If so, tell me more about it. How old were you when you when a nun played a part in your life?

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~Cecelia Dowdy~

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~Cecelia Dowdy~

Love Finds You In Poetry Texas

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Love Finds You in Poetry, Texas

Love Finds You In Poetry Texas

Have you ever dated someone from a newspaper (or online) ad? If so, what happened? Did you end up having a long-term relationship, or was your relationship short (or non-existent)?

Belinda sets herself up as a marriage broker in the small town of Poetry, Texas. Reading through newspaper ads, she pairs up eligible bachelors with potentially future wives. Only problem is, some of these matches are NOT successful. What’s Belinda to do? Should she abandon the idea of being a marriage broker and just let God lead husbands to their future wives?

Belinda pairs up Georg Kaufman, the town’s barber, with a potential bride. But, why does Belinda feel funny about setting Georg up with a mate? She wants Georg to be happy, but, why does seeing Georg with his potential mate bother her so much?

This book was a sweet, delightful read. Getting to know the characters residing in Poetry was very interesting. They’re an eclectic group of people. One man is a poet and he owns a bookstore, and he aids some of the bachelors by penning poetry for their love interests.

So, have you ever dated anybody after reading their newspaper (or online) ad? If so, what happened?

~Cecelia Dowdy~

With Eyes Of Love by Linda S. Glaz

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With Eyes of Love by Linda S. Glaz

What would you do if you returned from the war, disfigured? How would you handle it?

When Barbara and her family are stranded their car at Christmas, endangered, because of a flood, they’re rescued by the Judges, a sympathetic family who takes them in for shelter. When Jackson Judge, a son in their family of rescuers, winks at Barbara, she’s slightly offended yet attracted to handsome Jackson. However, Barbara is engaged to Elliott so it’s not possible for her to act upon her feelings for Jackson.

Barbara returns to the Judges home about two years later, keeping in contact via letters with Betty Judge, Jackson’s sister. She’s become best friends with Betty and she’s returning to be maid of honor in Betty’s weddings. She wonders what’s become of Jackson since Betty seldom mentions her brother in her letters.

However, when Barbara sees Jackson, she realizes he’s suffered a lot of pain and anguish, both physical and mental. Fighting in World War II, amidst Pearl Harbor, he’s been injured. Jackson doesn’t feel he’d be a viable mate to anybody in his current physical and mental state of mind.

I enjoyed this story. Usually in romance novels, both hero and heroine look PERFECT and flawless. Reading a book where one of the characters is not physically attractive on the outside was a refreshing change from the regular romance novel. Overall, this was a good, intriguing read.

So, what would you do if you returned from the war physically disfigured? How would you cope?

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Love At Any Cost by Julie Lessman

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Love At Any Cost

“Available April 15, 2013 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.”

Cassidy McClare travels to San Francisco to spend the summer with her rich cousins. She needs to heal from her broken heart – her ex has broken up with her – and she realizes it’s because she’s no longer wealthy.When she arrives in San Francisco, she literally slams into gorgeous Jaime McKenna! They start off on the wrong foot – Cassidy can’t trust Jaime, after all, he’s a good-looking man and she knows how dangerous a good-looking man can be. Cassidy doesn’t need a man in her life, after all, she’s a cowgirl – all she needs is a lasso and the open range to be happy.

However, Jaime finds himself smitten with Cassidy – he’s determined to marry her. After all, she’s rich, and he needs a rich wife to help fund the surgery for his crippled sister. Jaime has a lot of emotional baggage – he blames himself for his sister’s unfortunate accident, and he doesn’t need God in his life. Why should he trust in God since God’s never been there for him during the rough times, especially when he was a poor youth living in the slums.

This book was TOTALLY awesome! From the first page I was hooked, and kept reading. The attraction between Jaime and Cassidy literally jumped off the page, and you could see how drawn they were to one another. Also, the conflict between this couple was so deep. Jaime is not a Christian, and, Cassidy is in love with him, yet, it’s against her faith to be romantically involved with a non-Christian.

I think Jaime’s character was so deep – he had lots of layers of emotional angst – anger, depression. He can’t forgive himself for something that happened a long time ago, he wants to take all of his problems and solve them himself, not relying on God. I think, by reading this book, it just shows that we can’t solve all of our problems on our own, we have to rely on HIM, God, to help us through all our troubles. Also, we need to remember that He has already forgiven us for all of our sins, so, feeling guilty for years and years will not help, only relying on God and accepting His gift will help us through our pain and turmoil.

Like the rest of Julie’s books, I loved the passion and the physical descriptions of the characters! Also, I felt like I was really there, the sights, smells, and descriptions of the characters were so realistic!

If you want a good, passionate, emotional Christian read then you should buy this book!

Many thanks to Baker Revell for providing me with a free review copy!

~Cecelia Dowdy~