The Pelican Bride by Beth White
Release Date: April 15, 2014
Rating: 4/5
Revell – Historical Romance

In Book One of Beth White’s Gulf Coast Chronicles, Frenchwoman Genevieve Gaillain and her younger sister have just arrived in the New World in 1704 on The Pelican. The Louisiana colony needs wives for their settlers and soldiers while the young women need a quick escape from the religious persecution in France. What the ladies of The Pelican find at Fort Louis is not what was promised by the government.

Meet Tristan Lanier. The widower chooses to live outside the fort closer to his late wife’s native family. A cartographer, Tristan was one of the original Canadian settlers. After a quick courtship, he and Genevieve get married, but he must go on a peacemaking mission of the utmost importance that will easily take 2 months. The safety and future of the French colony is at stake. Can the two learn to trust each other with their darkest secrets?

I don’t believe I’ve ever read such an interesting, historically-based story. As someone who loves history, I enjoyed all the hard work and research that went into making this book a reality. I can just imagine how hard life was for these Pelican brides. At the end of the book, White shares some more background regarding the history of the colony, and I must say that I want to know more. Having never studied the Louisiana colony so thoroughly, I was happy to learn something new.

The characters are lovely, flawed and authentic. I also enjoyed all the intrigue and mysteries in the story. I found the story to be less of a romance and more of a mystery-thriller. I honestly didn’t know what to expect when I read the book, but I was pleasantly surprised; I could not put the book down because I had to know what was going to happen next. The writing is rich with history and sucks the reader into the 18th century. I’m excited this is only the first in the series and can’t wait to read the others.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves historical romances with some mystery involved.

I received this book for free from Revell but was not required to give a positive review.

Sincerely Yours ~ Four unexpected letters. Four intrepid women. Four lives changed forever.

Rating: 3.5/5

Meet four incredible women living in different times in America as they struggle to find their place and find love along the way. With each letter, each young woman begins a new adventure that launches them into their destiny.

Moonlight Promise by Laurie Alice Eakes
After Camilla Renfrew receives a letter offering her a job, she leaves everything she has ever known in England to escape to America. She must find a way to connect with her friend before she leaves her behind. After she barely manages to gain passage on a Hudson River steamboat to the new Erie Canal, she finds herself in a strange world and with a need to survive. She fears for her life as the boat seems to attract mishap after mishap. Will she make it to her friend on time? Will she escape those who are wrongly in pursuit of her? Can she trust the captain? Can she allow herself to fall in love with someone she just met?

I could not stop reading until I reached the end of this novella. The pacing was great and the story was captivating – I now want to ride on a steamboat on the Hudson River. (Does Disneyland count?) I felt Eakes’ characters were great, despite the fact that there wasn’t as much time for character development. Definitely a fun, fast-paced read!

Lessons in Love by Ann Shorey
When Marigold Montgomery Bentley, aka M.M. Bentley, receives a letter offering her the job for Kipler’s Home Weekly as the marriage advice columnist, she is overjoyed but realizes the editor thinks she’s a man. She manages to get her piano teacher to help her, so she can find a way to do what she loves – write for a living. Will she be able to keep up this deception? Will spending the extra time with her piano tutor blossom into something more?

As a fellow piano player and lover of music, I love almost any story that involves music. I read the story quickly, inevitably knowing how it would end, but still anxious to see if I was right. I can’t imagine how difficult it was for women of that time and I like how Marigold finds out who she is and what she believes about marriage.

One Little Word by Amanda Cabot
When Lorraine Caldwell receives a letter from her long-lost brother, she immediately sets off to find him. Lorraine is being pressed to marry a man she does not love. As a New York socialite, she is unaccustomed to work, but when she arrives at Lilac Hall to find her brother engaged, she is determined to help out while he goes on his honeymoon. She finds herself unusually attracted to a lowly artisan, a carousel carver. As one of “the New York Caldwells”, can she fall in love with him? Can she find love and uncover what God has planned for her and her family?

I think this story was my favorite of the four. I really enjoyed learning about carousels. I had no idea how fascinating their history was and I want to thank the author for opening up a whole new world for me to explore and research. I love how God’s perfect plan is evident through the story. Such an enjoyable read!

A Saving Grace by Jane Kirkpatrick
When a young girl asks Grace Hathaway to bring her mother back to her, Grace quickly rushes off her see her friend. She is appalled to find that her friend is living in an isolated clinic that seems to be starving its patients. She meets a doctor named Claude doing research there and finds herself attracted to a man that is supporting such a terrible setup. Can she find a way to rescue her friend before it’s too late? Can she trust Claude? Will she be able to help the rest of the patients who are slowly dying and being taken advantage of?

Honestly, this story was creepy. Some might say intriguing. I couldn’t stop reading because I was so appalled at what was taking place. As someone who wants to be a doctor someday, it was hard to read what Dr. Hazzard was doing to her patients. Only at the end did I find out that the story is based on the real Dr. Hazzard and her practices. When I was reading, I kept thinking this story was in the wrong genre. I loved Grace’s determination and love for her friend. She’s a beautiful character who stands up for justice.

I definitely recommend reading this novella. If you would like to have a chance to win a copy from Jane Kirkpatrick, check out her blog here.

I received this book for free from Revell and NetGalley but was not required to give a positive review.

Since I subscribe to author Camy Tang’s newsletter, I found out that this brand new anthology was on sale for only $0.99 on Kindle. I bought the novella and do NOT regret it. Shortly after purchasing, I also requested the book on NetGalley, so here is the review.

First Kisses: Inspy Kisses Collection #1 is the first collection of novellas from some of my favorite authors! Each story has a theme around first kisses, which is incredibly sweet and sometimes hilarious. I was surprised that they squeezed in 5 6 different stories in one book.

The Rambler’s Bride by Linda Goodnight

Jericho North gets the surprise of his life when he is greeted with a kiss from his brother’s widow, Esther, who he believes has a sordid past. Jericho’s quest is to claim what is rightfully his from his brother’s will, but he didn’t know about his nephew. Esther is desperately trying to make life in Kansas work but she will not sell the land that her husband would want to leave his son. Is Jericho the answer to her problems?

I enjoyed this story that starts with a bang! Right away I was drawn into the lives of Jericho and Esther. Esther is a strong woman, and she was not willing to be pushed around. Jericho is conflicted about what to do with his rising feelings for Esther and his nephew; his struggles are sincere. I thoroughly enjoyed this story.

Lovebirds at the Heartbreak Cafe by Janet Tronstad

Set in the 1950’s, Penny, a widow, needs a job to support all her children. She meets a truck driver, Buddy, who helps her find a job and take care of her family. While Buddy can’t help falling in love with the sweet woman, he can’t ever imagine Penny returning his feelings. Can these two find love at the Heartbreak Cafe?

This story was one of the sweetest ones I’ve read in a long time. The tone is so down-to-earth and homey. I feel like I need to live in a small town and experience all the quirks and hospitalities that occur. The story is a very light-hearted read that will put a smile on your face.

Her Mule Hollow Cowboy by Debra Clopton

Meet Cliff Masterson, the famous bull rider who is ready to settle down. Showing up at his brother’s place early, he rescues Maddie Rose, one of his brother’s partners. Although she is hurt, Maddie Rose can take care of herself. Even if there’s something drawing her to Cliff, she will not be hurt by that cowboy. Will Mule Hollow’s matchmakers have their work cut out for them?

I love the fun banter between Cliff and Maddie. Maddie is feisty and determined. Reading about Mule Hollow made me want to read more from Debra Clopton. I didn’t want the story to end.

Deadly Hunt by Margaret Daley

Tess Miller is a bodyguard who is on vacation in her uncle’s isolated cabin when a wounded stranger collapses at her door. Shane Burkhart is grateful to this guardian angel but Tess is hesitant to trust him. She’s not sure if he’s a victim or a criminal. Who would want to kill Shane? Can Tess figure out what’s going on before someone else gets hurt? Can she shove aside her feelings of attraction for Shane and do her job?

As a huge fan of Margaret Daley, I was excited to jump into this short mystery-thriller of a story. I was fully committed to the characters and their struggles. For such a short story, the pacing was great and the story didn’t suffer too much. I only wish there was more to the story. I love Daley’s strong women who stand up for justice. I encourage everyone to pick up some of her other books – they’re that good.

Necessary Proof by Camy Tang

After becoming a Christian in prison, Alex Villa started working to help stop all the gang activity happening in Sonoma, but now he’s been framed for the death of a cop. Can his old friend, Jane Lawton, use her skills as a computer expert to prove his innocence without getting both of them killed in the process? Can Jane let go of her mistrust in men and trust the man she initially rejected?

Camy Tang is another of my favorite authors of all time and yes, it’s because I’m biased. She always writes about Asian-American heroines which I absolutely identify with. She has a great voice that is sometimes humorous and yet authentic. She is true to what she knows and the pacing of this story was exactly what I wanted. This mystery-thriller is full of action and suspense but nothing too dark. Fans of romance-suspense will definitely enjoy this one.

Kissed by a Cowboy by Lacy Williams

Haley Carston used to be the shy girl who followed around Katie Michaels her senior year of high school, but she has returned to Redbud Trails, OK, to spend time with and care for her aunt dying of cancer. She runs into the first boy who ever kissed her, Maddox Michaels (Katie’s older brother), and can’t decide if her teenage crush would ever have feelings for her. Maddox feels he is barely holding everything together; what could he even offer the beautiful Haley?

Although I didn’t experience all the Haley did growing up, I identified with getting over her shyness. On the outside, she looks almost perfect but on the inside she still struggles with insecurities and daddy issues the way that most of us do. Maddox is a cowboy who struggles with the “provider” hat that was placed on his head after his dad drunk himself to death. The constant pressure is overwhelming at times for him. The religious thread in this story was almost non-existent, which was a little disappointing to me but others might appreciate the author’s subtly.

All in all, I rated the novella 3.5/5 because the stories are too rushed for my taste but it can’t really be helped. I would definitely recommend the book to those who love reading fun and heartwarming stories.

I received this book for free from NetGalley but was not required to give a positive review. Although, I also purchased this book from Amazon.