Category Archives: Historicals

Christmas Roses By Amanda Cabot

If your parent had abandoned you when you were a child, would you search for him/her for two years when you were an adult?

That’s the premise for Christmas Roses by Amanda Cabot. Mark Williams was abandoned by his father when he was a child. Now, he’s determined to find his dad, trying to discover why he’d left his mother alone to raise Mark. Mark’s mother had told Mark that his father had died when he was a youngster. However, after his mother’s death, he discovers that his mother had not been telling him the truth about his dad.

Mark goes on a two year search from town to town, trying to find his dad, using his carpentry skills to make a living. When he stops in a small Wyoming town, seeking lodging while he continues his search, he meets Celia Anderson. Celia, a Swedish woman, is raising her daughter alone since her husband was killed in a mining accident one year ago. Celia is drawn to Mark, however, he’s bitter against his absentee father, and he’s also bitter against God. It appears that there’s no way that a relationship could work between them.

This was a light read that you can finish in a few hours. The story was refreshing. I felt that the conflict between the characters was deep and realistic. I also loved the small, close-knit, religious town. The townspeople socialized together, enjoying a group dinner on Thanksgiving. It’s heartwarming to see an entire town celebrating a holiday with one another. I thought it was interesting that Celia was Swedish. You learn a bit about Swedish customs, plus, there’s a great-sounding Swedish pound cake recipe in the back of the book!

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

So, if your parent had abandoned you when you were a child, would you search for him/her for two years when you were an adult?

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~Cecelia Dowdy~

A Love Surrendered By Julie Lessman

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A Love Surrendered by Julie Lessman

When you were dating and in love, how did you keep your Christian values when you were attracted to your significant other? What did you do to put the brakes on a sexual relationship with your boyfriend or girlfriend?

One of many reasons why I loved this book so much was because it dealt with a tough issue that young people face while dating: strong physical attraction.

Steven O’Connor is a prohibition agent, breaking up speakeasies along with his best friend, Joe. He takes his job seriously and doesn’t have a lot of time or desire to date. After all, the last time he had a serious relationship, ended in disaster. Steven still thinks about his tumultuous relationship with Maggie – he still regrets the way his relationship ended with Maggie, after all, he was in love with her, but, they simply went too far while dating.

Now that he’s a prohibition agent, he hangs out with his friend Joe and other friends, burying his pain. When he encounters young Annie Kennedy, he finds himself drawn to her for some odd reason. She’s beautiful, but, she’s not very street smart. Joe feels that Annie is too young for him, and he just needs to leave her alone, and not pursue a relationship with her. After all, the last time he had a relationship, it ended in disaster. Steven feels that it’s not healthy for him to pursue a relationship with Annie.

Annie is also smitten with Steven. However, she discovers that Steven is her sister, Maggie’s old boyfriend. Realizing her sister was in love with Steven is like a splash of cold water in Annie’s face. How can she have a relationship with Steven when her sister used to be in love with him?

Annie finds it hard to fit in in the Boston area. She’s new in town, recently orphaned and living with her aunt, and it appears that her sister, Maggie, has left behind a negative reputation. For the time being, Annie keeps her sisterly relationship to Maggie a secret from her new friends and from Steven. Annie finds it a bit hard to hang out with her new friends – friends who enjoy partying, drinking, and wearing revealing clothing.

I loved how Annie’s and Steven’s feelings, physical feelings, escalated, showing how hard it was for them to NOT have a sexual relationship. Not acting on their strong physical attraction causes MAJOR conflict within their relationship. Plus, Annie is still trying to get things right with God, and Steven doesn’t appear to share her deep faith. How can they be serious about one another when their deep faith in God is not a shared trait?

It was a really neat treat to revisit other characters from the Daughters of Boston and Winds of Change series, too. These characters sparkle, and you feel like you know them – they’re like real people and that you can know and love.

So, how did you keep your Christian values when you were attracted to your significant other? What did you do to put the brakes on a sexual relationship with your boyfriend or girlfriend?

Also, have you read any of the Daughters of Boston or Winds of change books? If so, which ones have you read?

Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer

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Short-Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer

Can you imagine dreaming about your childhood Prince Charming for years, and then marrying him as an adult?

When Meredith Hayes stepped onto the forbidden Archer land as a child, she was only trying to obtain her scattered lunch pail that had been hoisted by a town bully. Dared by other schoolmates, she bravely steps onto the land only to have her leg caught in a steel trap. When handsome Travis Archer comes to her rescue, she discovers that the reclusive Archer brother is not mean and evil as the townsfolk claim. He gets her out of the trap, setting her on her way home.

Now, several years later, Meredith is an adult and she suffers from a gimp leg as a result of the steel-trap accident. Over the years, she’s dreamed about Travis Archer as being her Prince Charming. She’s now devastated that her current guardians, her aunt and uncle, want her to marry terrible Roy Mitchell. Roy only wants to marry Meredith for her land – having control over her land could greatly increase Roy’s wealth. After overhearing Roy give orders to set fire to the Archer property, hoping to force them to sell their land, Meredith feels she can’t sit around and watch the Archers suffer. She sneaks onto the property to warn them of the attack, wanting to return the kindness that Travis showed her several years ago. However, the Archer brothers, especially Travis, are dumbstruck when a woman comes limping onto their property with her warning.

The Archers are recluses, hardly receiving any visitors as they ban others from their property. Meredith’s sudden presence throws a HUGE monkey-wrench into their lives. When she’s kicked by a mule and injured, she’s forced to spend the night on the Archer property. Staying overnight with a houseful of men ruin’s Meredith’s reputation and she’s forced to marry one of the Archer brothers – Travis, of course! 🙂

This book was a real treat for me to read and I loved how the story unfolded. Travis and his brothers have little contact with the outside world due to a promise Travis made to his dying father. Since they live as hermits, their lives are thrown into turmoil when Meredith arrives. Meredith’s kindness, thoughtfulness, and gentle nature reach out to Travis’s wounded spirit, making him see that shutting others out is not always the right thing to do. I also thought the marriage of convenience between Travis and Meredith was touching. I guess I felt that way because I know that Meredith has been dreaming about Travis for years, and Travis is smitten when Meredith shows up on his property again, years later.

The characters in this novel are so well-developed and the plot was excellent. The story moved forward and you were anxious to see what happened to Travis and Meredith once they tied the knot.

Many thanks to Bethany House for sending me a free review copy. I highly appreciated this wonderful novel!

Have you ever had a childhood crush that lasted for years? Leave a comment!

~Cecelia Dowdy~

The Shepherd’s Voice – From The Archives

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The Shepherd’s Voice by Robin Lee Hatcher – From the archives – this is a repeat of an old book review. I read this novel several years ago and recall really enjoying this story by Robin Lee Hatcher. I encourage you to give this book a try! Download it onto your e-reader today!

Convicted for a crime he didn’t commit, Gabe Talmadge returns to his hometown of Ransom, seeking the love denied to him by his father Hudson Talmadge. Instead of finding the love of his forsaken father, he finds the love of Akira Macauley, owner of the sheep farm, Dundreggan. Gabe also discovers the love of another father, his Heavenly Father. Akira teaches Gabe about love and faith, and he realizes his biggest mistake was forsaking the Lord, several years ago. When he’s again mistakenly arrested for a crime he didn’t commit, his faith in God is tested, and he learns that it’s imperative to always lean on the Lord.

Have you ever read any novels by Robin Lee Hatcher? If so, which one was your favorite?

~Cecelia Dowdy~

The Ride Of Her Life By Lorna Seilstad

These Tangled Threads By Tracie Peterson And Judith Miller

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These Tangled Threads – Book #3 in the Bells Of Lowell series.

Daughtie Winfield is still trying to fit in with the society in Lowell since she left the Shaker village. She doesn’t agree with some of the Shaker beliefs, which prompted her to leave the religious sect. However, one Shaker belief that Daughtie accepts is equality among men. She feels that all men are created equal in the eyes of God and should not be discriminated against because of skin-color or nationality.

When Daughtie starts a friendship with an Irishman named Liam Donohue, her friends strongly object to the relationship. The Irish live in a separate section in Lowell – a paddy camp and the poverty and filth in the Irish neighborhood proves heartbreaking. Liam is a stonemason and he’s managed to build his own house and make a decent living for himself. He is smitten with Daughtie, however, he wonders if their relationship is a good idea. If Daughtie is seen keeping company with an Irishman, it’ll ruin her reputation.

The plight of slavery also comes into play in this book when a woman speaks in Lowell about the injustice of slavery. Both Daughtie and Liam are determined to do what they can to aid in the fight against slavery. Daughtie also points out that the prejudice against the Irish mimics the slavery issue – both groups suffer from deep prejudice that goes against God’s law.

This was the last book in the Bells of Lowell series and I enjoyed it as much as the first two. I especially liked how Daughtie used her Bible to make her point, making sure she didn’t care what others believed as long as what she was doing didn’t go against God’s word.

This book also touched upon a few political issues and work issues in the mills. The mill girls threaten a strike when their wages are lowered.

I recommend this series if you enjoy other books by Tracie Peterson.

I reviewed the first book in this series here. I reviewed the second book here.

~Cecelia Dowdy~

A Fragile Design By Tracie Peterson And Judith Miller

A Treasure Revealed By Pamela Griffin

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A Treasure Revealed

A Treasure Revealed is also one of the stories included in the Silver Mountains anthology.

This is an enjoyable historical romance that deals with sibling rivalry. Clay is bitter – he finds it hard to forgive his brother Derek for leaving him when he was a youngster. Derek was not around when their mother died, and as a result, Clay has had some rough times, trying to make it own his own as a youngster, since he’d been abandoned by both Derek and his father. Also, it appears that Derek also tried to strike it rich on his own by taking their father’s treasure map and looking for their deceased father’s silver mine.

When Clay finds Meagan wandering in the dessert, he’s very puzzled by the frazzled, injured woman who doesn’t seem to understand what’s going on. Her hands have been burned, and he wonders what’s happened to her. He brings her back to Derek’s wife, an Indian named Linda who can help Meagan to heal. Now forced to deal with his deceitful brother, Clay doesn’t think he can find it in his heart to forgive his sibling.

While Meagan is given medical care by Derek’s wife, Linda, she must face her own demons. She’s partially lost her memory, and wonders what has become of her family. Clay is smitten with beautiful Meagan. Meagan is illiterate, and Clay reads the Bible to her. Both Clay and Meagan deal with their attraction as they learn about God and salvation.

This is a Heartsong that I had lying around my house. I picked it up the other day and I was immediately hooked into the story. I think I really enjoyed watching the story unfold because a family is divided over a silver mine. This was a realistic conflict since families are often divided by money matters. It’s also a short, sweet story that you’ll be able to finish in a few hours. Overall, I thought the author did a superb job with the setting, the characters, and the plot.

~Cecelia Dowdy~

Love On The Line By Deeanne Gist

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Love On The Line by Deeanne Gist

This story was a good read about a phone operator during historical times. Georgie is unlike most women her age. She’s young and independent. She works for a phone company and lives alone in her cottage. She also has a fascination with birds. She’s determined to make the town see that birds should not be shot down and used solely for their feathers and bird parts. A local milliner uses the bird parts for hats, and this incenses Georgie, making her angry and sad. The birds are like her personal companions. They nest in her back yard and she even sits still as a statue, so still that the birds flutter to her, eating right out of her hand.

Luke, a troubleman for the phone company, is really a Texas Ranger whose real name is Luscious who’s working undercover. He’s determined to capture Frank Comer, a well-known and respected bandit who robs trains with his gang. Frank has slipped away from Luke one too many times and Luke’s boss has stated if Luke doesn’t catch him this time, he’ll be taking him off the case. Determined to capture Frank, he accepts his undercover job, which puts him into direct contact with Georgie on a regular basis. Georgie works alone in her cottage – the phone equipment is set up in her living room and her cottage belongs to the phone company. Luke arrives, stringing phone wires high on the telephone poles. Attracted to Georgie, he is bothered by her weird personality. Why would she cry because a bird has been killed? He sees her deep connection to the young creatures, not fully understanding why she loves the the birds so much.

The attraction between the two of them literally snaps off the page. As they spend more time together, getting to know one another, Luke is face with a choice..he’s a Texas Ranger, he’s not in the market to get married. His job would take him too far away from his family. He finds himself falling for Georgie while he gets close to some of the townspeople – people who may be connected to Frank Comer. Frank is rumored to be living in the area, which is why Luke was assigned to this particular town.

I thought this book had an interesting premise, seeing the way the phone was used and operated in historical times. It’s also refreshing to see a historical where a woman is independent, living alone, supporting herself. Georgie thinks that she can do anything a man can do, a woman shouldn’t be treated as a second-class citizen. There’s also a highly-unusual twist that happens near the end, it’s a twist that I was NOT expecting!

This was a great, enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more books by this author. The characters were so well-developed and believable. Both Luke and Georgie suffered from great loss as children – losses that molded and affected the lives they lead as adults.

~Cecelia Dowdy~

A Whisper Of Peace By Kim Vogel Sawyer

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A Whisper Of Peace by Kim Vogel Sawyer

This book is one of the best I’ve read in 2011! If you haven’t read this book then you need to rush out and buy a copy now! Better yet, download a copy on your Kindle or your Nook!

Lizzie is half-Indian and half-White. One striking feature that shows her mixed race is her vivid blue eyes. Due to her mixed parentage, she’s been shunned and ostracized by her village – which include her own grandparents! She lives apart from the village, alone. Her White father left Lizzie and her mom when Lizzie was twelve. Growing up, her father taught her to read and Lizzie can speak both her native Indian language as well as English. After her mother died, Lizzie has had to survive on her own. She’s lonesome, and she only has her guard dogs for companionship.

When missionaries Clay and Vivian arrive in the Indian village near Lizzie’s home in Alaska, her life takes an interesting turn. During a comical incident where Lizzie is making sugar cookies, she encounters Clay and Vivian for the second time. She longs for companionship and since those in her Indian village have shunned her, she feels she needs to leave Alaska and travel to California where her father lives. Lizzie doesn’t know a whole lot about being White and living in the outside world, so she convinces Vivian to give her lessons that will make her more knowledgable about the outside world – Lizzie longs to be White.

Meanwhile, Clay and Vivian cause turmoil within the Indian village. Their friendship with Lizzie, a shunned Indian, is against tribal rules and they’re ordered to stop communicating with their new friend.

This book was phenomenal! I think Kim V. Sawyer did an awesome job dealing with the issues of race and forgiveness. Plus, the Alaskan setting was wonderful! I also think she did a really great job with her character development! I felt that Lizzie was the strongest, most appealing, character of all. She’s been ostracised, she’s lonesome, and she doesn’t know the love of Jesus. She’s brave and she hunts and fishes, supporting herself, and she doesn’t have the companionship of any other humans. I especially loved seeing her interact with her dogs and I loved the scenes with her working on the fur coat for her grandmother, hoping to make peace with her relative.

This book was emotional, really tugs at your heart. This book is definitely a winner and I highly recommend it.

~Cecelia Dowdy~

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