The Noble Servant by Melanie Dickerson

The Noble Servant by Melanie Dickerson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Requested a copy from Netgalley to Review
Genre: Historical Fairy Tale Retelling

Book Description:  She lost everything to an evil conspiracy . . . but that loss may just give her all she ever wanted.

Since meeting Steffan, the Duke of Wolfberg, at Thornbeck Castle, Lady Magdalen has not been able to stop thinking about him. She knows—as a penniless lady with little to offer in terms of a dowry—she has no real hope of marrying such a highly titled man, so it comes as a great surprise when she receives a letter from him, asking for her hand in marriage.

But all is not what it seems at Wolfberg Castle. Steffan has been evicted by his scheming uncle, and his cousin has taken over the title of duke. Left for dead, Steffan is able to escape, and disguised as a shepherd, hopes to gain entry to the castle to claim the items that will prove he is the true Duke of Wolfberg.

Journeying to the castle, Magdalen has no idea what awaits her, but she certainly did not expect her loyal maidservant to turn on her. Forcing Magdalen to trade places with her, the servant plans to marry the duke and force Magdalen to tend the geese.

Without their respective titles—and the privileges that came with them—Steffan and Magdalen are reunited in the shepherd’s field. Together they conspire to get back their rightful titles. But they must hurry . . . or else they risk losing it all to the uncle’s evil plan.



My thoughts: Lady Magdalen is a woman with a good heart. She agrees to travel for days to marry a man that she met at an event two years ago. The book is set in Medieval times, so this is no small feat. She means to marry him to help her people from the escape the poverty they are experiencing, since the copper mines no longer produce.

She is faced with treachery right from the beginning. The funny thing is that this book is full of treachery. Few are who or what they seem.

Steffan is the Duke returning home after a two year absence. He has not idea that his Uncle asked Magdalen to marry him. He is returning home on false pretenses, only to find that treachery awaits him.

This book is full of plot twists. It is engaging and fun to read. I love medieval times. There is something about it that appeals to me, probably because it is so different from the life we have during the present day. I loved the setting, and I love the story of the Goose Girl. This book is a twist on the fairy tale. The characters are well written, and the book felt true to the time period.

There are many great things to recommend this book. It is clean with a tiny bit of kissing. Scriptures are quoted, but it is by no means preachy.

Online Purchase Links:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository

About the Author:  Melanie Dickerson is a New York Times bestselling author, a two-time Christy Award finalist, two-time Maggie Award winner, Carol Award winner, two-time winner of the Christian Retailing's Best award, and her book, The Healer's Apprentice, won the National Readers Choice Award for Best First Book. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA). Melanie earned a bachelors degree in special education of the hearing impaired from The University of Alabama and has worked as a teacher in Georgia, Tennessee, and Ukraine. She lives with her husband and two children in Huntsville, Alabama.

Visit her WEBPAGE.

Promotional post for "Onboard for Love" by Cami Checketts (With a giveaway)

Guest Post from Cami Checketts:


I have had so much fun with these Billionaire Beach Romances. Onboard for Love is set on the same cruise ship that I was able to take my family on for my oldest son's last family trip. I hope you enjoy the escape as much as I did! And you won't even have to gain five pounds from eating too much yummy cruise food. Also, don't forget to enter to win the $100 gift card. Hugs, Cami

Alicia Noir's ex-husband, Trav, has always valued his race car more than his family, just like her dad who died in his race car. When their eight-year old son pulls them into the cruise vacation of a lifetime, she has to find a way to resist Trav's charm, his well-formed chest, and especially his unending kindness. Will vacation reignite their love or is their romance destined to crash and burn for the final time?
The Billionaire Beach Romances are each stand-alone novels set in fun vacation spots. Don't miss the series:
Shadows in the Curtain
Caribbean Rescue
Cozumel Escape
Cancun Getaway
Onboard for Love


The Resilient One is FREE until June 9th for US and Canada residents. Happy reading!


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a REAL life fairy tale boxed set by Jamie Brook Thompson

a REAL life fairy tale boxed set: books 1-3: Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and The Frogg Princess by Jamie Brook Thompson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Source: Received from eBooks for Review.
Genre: Modern Day Retelling

Book Description:  Cinderella: 
If a dream is a wish your heart makes then Cindee Ellis is in major trouble. There’s no way Henry Christensen will ever notice her under all those oil stains and brake fluid splattered across her shirt. Unless—she’s dead wrong about him. Join her with this real life fairytale set in the small town of Silver Creek to find out how she’ll work her guts out to make her own happily ever after. 
Beauty and Beast: 
There's a tale as old as time of two people falling in love, but what happens when Belle won't have anything to do with it. Join her with this real life fairytale set in the small town of Silver Creek to find out how she’ll transform the town's beast into a handsome prince with her heart, not her beautician skills. 
The Frogg Princess: 
Taya is almost there. Join her in this real-life fairytale, set in the small town of Silver Creek, as she plans to start a new life by opening a little restaurant. Only to find a few rude people that don’t seem to welcome her. But that doesn’t seem to bother Felix Frogg, a local police officer, and the love-at–first-sight reactions he keeps tossing her way. If Taya isn’t careful with the way her heart is softening towards Felix, she could be walking into a lifetime commitment of happily ever after that wasn’t in her plans


My thoughts:This is a cute collection that has three modern day retellings of some of my favorite Fairy Tales: Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast, and the Frog Prince.

The women are strong characters who take control of their lives. They just happen to meet and fall in love with the man of their dreams in a small town. The town is unique, when the men fall in love, they fall in love fast. There is not playing games with them. They find the woman of their dreams and they move on it, she falls in love quickly and they get married.

There are a few plot twists and changes from the original. The stories move quickly and are fun to read. I am looking forward to read more about the people in this strange town. I think that Sleeping Beauty is next.

The books contain some innuendo and kissing.

Online Purchase Links:

If you have kindle unlimited, it's FREE.

Amazon

Winds of Change by Jean Holbrook Mathews (Blog Tour + giveaway)

Winds of Change by Jean Holbrook Mathews
Source: Received to review from publisher
Genre: Historical LDS Fiction
Rating: TBD

Book Description:  The year is 1854, and change is in the air throughout India. Within the walls of her grand home in Calcutta, Sarah McCune anxiously awaits the future. After eighteen months at war, her husband, a sergeant in the Bengal Army of the East India Company, has made an extraordinary proposal: leave all the comforts of their life in Asia for an unknown future in America. As recent converts to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sarah and her husband are drawn to the promise of Zion. So, despite their fears regarding the dangerous voyage before them, they and their four children embark on a journey of faith that will test the limits of their conviction and define generations to come. This breathtaking saga, based on the historical journals of one Latter-day Saint family, invites readers to experience the sacrifices and perils of these early pioneers as they faithfully seek a land of promise.

My thoughts:  I find books written about people in history and actual events fascinating.  This book deals with a family leaving their home in India to travel to America.  This would be a hard thing to do in today's wold.  Imagine doing it in the 1800's.

The book is very detailed oriented.  It is obvious that Jean Holbrook Mathews has done meticulous research.  I liked the detail of the Indian port and living with native servants.  The way of life is not familiar to me.  I always appreciate learning something new.

I listed the rating as TBD because I have not finished the book.  (Sadly, I must admit to this failing once again.)  I look forward to finding out more about this family and the changes that come to them.

I will say that if you like detailed and researched historical fiction, this book would be a good fit.

Online Purchase Links:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository

Enter the Tour Giveaway:

(Prize and winner notification will be coming from Covenant Communications.)

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*May 31st: http://ilovetoreadandreviewbooks.blogspot.com/, http://literarytimeout.blogspot.com/, http://rockinbookreviews.com/

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I'm Looking Forward to Watching "Love, Kennedy".

If you loved the movies 17 MIRACLES, EPHRAIM’S RESCUE and THE COKEVILLE MIRACLE, from T.C. Christensen you are in for a treat with his upcoming release LOVE, KENNEDY - in theaters throughout Utah on Friday, June 2.

A touching and inspiring story about Kennedy Hansen, a young girl who battled juvenile batten disease and the incredible legacy of love she left behind.

Message from Jason Hansen (Kennedy’s dad)In life, we all have a story.  Some stories are happy, some are sad, some are long and some are short.  It is human nature to treat our life as a story book full of different chapters that portray our lives.  Our family’s story began with a dream.  A dream that was given to me that all now makes sense.  In that dream, I was shown my family, my story and what was to come.  Unfortunately, part of our dream and a chapter in our life was losing our beloved Kennedy.  Yet, through losing her, we also gained her.  We gained her through so much more of understanding that when hard things come, you can be positive, you can be loving, understanding and provide an array of love to all of those around you.  Those hard things have proven to allow us to grow as a family and share.  Share the deepest parts of our souls and the hardest parts of our minds and hearts. 

Kennedy’s story could not just be shared by anyone, it needed to be shared by someone who would not be afraid to tell the truth about her life.  What really happened throughout her life and what she really believed.  T.C. Christensen is that someone.  He took to heart the rawness, reality and true life story of Kennedy, our family and the experiences that we endured.  He spent time reading, pondering, questioning and asking.  He did nothing hasty, yet everything perfectly.  He wanted to make sure, that if he was going to tell her story, that the most important parts were shared.  And guess what?  He did that! 

When you see the film, you will see our Kennedy and know the kind of person she was. She loved boys (especially Jaden). She loved her family.  All of us, just not one or two of us.  The movie shows the special relationship that she has with each one of her family members.  She loved cheerleading and music and always dreamed of being normal.  And lastly, she loved her Savior and Heavenly Father with perfect faith which in turn allowed her to love EVERYONE whom she met. 

Message from T.C. ChristensenI'm drawn to faith-based true stories. The life of Kennedy Hansen touched me when I was first introduced to her story. This beautiful young woman trusted God’s plan even when those around her questioned why Kennedy had to endure such trails. Before writing the script, I had the opportunity to read through hundreds of journal entries, with the turning of each page, I began to understand her personality. She was kind, compassionate, funny, teased, loved cheerleading, had faith, adored boys (especially Jaden), uplifted those around her, and had great family support including a funny little brother. We had the honor of filming Love, Kennedy in the Hansen’s home, the high school Kennedy attended, and other unique locations specific to her life. I hope when you see the movie that you are inspired by the warmth and love of Kennedy Hansen’s life.

For more on this powerful true story visit Kennedys HUGS.

Blog Hop~ Seven Brides for Seven Mail-Order Husbands + giveaway!

Genre: Christian, Historical
Publisher: Barbour
Publication date: June 1, 2017
Number of pages: 448

Meet seven of Turtle Springs, Kansas, finest women who are determined to revive their small town after the War Between the States took most of its men. . .and didn t return them. The ladies decide to advertise for husbands and devise a plan for weeding out the riff raff. But how can they make the best practical choices when their hearts cry out to be loved?

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The Story Behind the Names -- Dime Novel Suitor by Carrie Fancet Pagels

Blurb:
When a British dime novel enthusiast finds himself flat broke in Kansas, he discovers what western life and true love are all about. Barden Granville IV grew up at Cheatham Hall, Kent, England, devouring cowboy stories and dreaming of the day he, with no prospects of inheriting estate nor title, could escape to the American frontier. Educated and ordained an Anglican priest, his trip to America is his “last hurrah” before accepting a vicarage in a small town far from his aristocratic family’s estate. When a series of misadventures leaves him without money and stranded, he must take up employment immediately.

After her father dies, widow Caroline Kane becomes the owner and proprietor of a restaurant and inn. She also assumes responsibility for her five teenaged siblings. Caroline’s busybody married sister insists that an Englishman who purports to answer an ad for help, is the perfect candidate for Caroline’s next husband. While she’s relieved to have help, Caroline finds Barden’s primary asset to be his silver tongue. When his efforts finally bring fruit, Barden receives word from England that could leave Caroline worse off than before, for her heart will leave with him. Will Barden answer his heart and God’s call in Kansas, or will his family responsibilities compel him to leave his dreams behind?

Caroline Kane, my heroine, had her name borrowed from Pagels’ Pals member Caryl Kane. Caryl is a sweetheart who supports and promotes many Christian fiction writers’ work. Caryl brings (virtual of course!) food and flowers to our online Facebook parties. Her last name has a nice strong-sounding quality to it, don’t you think? Her maiden name was borrowed from a business in Charleston, South Carolina, where I used to live. Tumbleston was used because I wanted the inn, that Caroline’s family owned, to be named after the Tumble Inn, a hotel near where I grew up. My mom always loved to tease that you would “Tumble Inn and roll out.”  So I had fun using that.

My hero, Barden Granville IV, is got his moniker from two of my friends. Libbie (Barden) Cornett is one of my best friends and is the one who got me interested in Christian fiction almost three decades ago. Chris Granville is one of my Pagels’ Pals group members and has been such a support, doing Beta reading and advance reading of my books. Doesn’t Chris’s married name sound posh? And no, I didn’t “borrow” from Lord Granville on Downton Abbey!

I like to use friends’ names in my story. So my readers Deanna, Lorraine, and Virginia had their names used for my heroine’s sisters. And I use family names. My husband’s uncle Alvin passed away the previous year as had my cousin Leonard. I used their names as Carolyn’s brothers, in a nod to their memories. Henry was my father’s middle name and I really like that name. He’s Caroline’s third brother.

I sometimes use the names of real life people from an era. When I came upon research showing that the soldiers at Mackinac Island, in this era, had been injured Army veterans of the Civil War, and that they’d come from out west to the fort in Michigan (no evidence they went through Kansas so I took fictional liberties), I decided to use some of their real names, documented in a book.

Giveaway: An autographed paperback copy of Seven Brides for Seven Mail-Order Brides. There must be ten unique comments from different readers for the giveaway. 

Carrie Fancett Pagels, Ph.D., is an ECPA bestselling and award-winning author. With a dozen Christian historical romances published, this former “Yooper” writes Christian historical romances about overcoming. She grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where many of her stories are set. Possessed with an overactive imagination, that wasn’t “cured” by twenty-five years as a psychologist, she loves bringing characters to life. Carrie and her family reside in Virginia’s Historic Triangle, which is perfect for her fascination with history. Carrie enjoys reading, traveling, baking, and beading-but not all at the same time!
​
Her short story, The Quilting Contest, was Historical Fiction Winner of Family Fiction’s “The Story” national contest. Her novella, The Substitute Bride was a 2016 Maggie Award published finalist for Romance Novellas. Grand Exposé was a 2014 Maggie Award honorable mention for a novel set on Mackinac Island (now entitled My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island: Maude’s Mooring, Barbour, July 2017). All three of her Christy Lumber Camp books were long list finalists for Family Fiction’s Book of the Year and The Fruitcake Challenge was a Selah Award finalist. Her novel, Saving the Marquise’s Granddaughter (White Rose/Pelican, June, 2016) received a Starred Review by RT Book Reviews.

​GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | TWITTER  | PINTEREST | AMAZON |WEBSITEOVERCOMING WITH GOD | COLONIAL QUILLS

Grand Prize Giveaway: Kindle Fire + Postcards of Seven Brides for Seven Mail-Order, bookmarks from upcoming release My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island: Maude’s Mooring, print copy of Seven Brides for Seven Mail-Order Husbands, cowboy-themed earrings, and an ebook copy of Holt Medallion finalist “The Steeplechase.”

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Other Giveaway: If 10+ unique commenters post on this blog, one commenter will be selected to receive a print copy of Seven Brides for Seven Mail-Order Husbands (US only).

May 29--Reading Is My SuperPower | Soulfully Romantic | Zerina Blossom's Books
May 30--Puddletown Reviews | Wishful Endings | Bookworm Lisa
May 31--Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen | Mel's Shelves  | Blossoms and Blessings​
June 1--Singing Librarian Books | Heidi Reads... | Bookworm Lisa
June 2--Cafinated Reads | Smiling Book Reviews | A Baker's Perspective
June 3--aTransParentMom | Paulette's Papers

Compassionate Soldier: Remarkable True Stories of Mercy, Heroism, and Honor from the Battlefield by Jerry Borrowman

Compassionate Soldier: Remarkable True Stories of Mercy, Heroism, and Honor from the Battlefield by Jerry Borrowman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source: Received from publisher to review.
Genre: Non-Fiction

Book Description:  Compassionate Soldier illuminates some of the most fascinating and yet largely unknown stories of men and women whose humanity led them to perform courageous acts of mercy and compassion amid the chaos and carnage of war. Arranged by war from the American Revolution to the Iraq War and global in perspective, it features extraordinary stories of grace under fire from valiant soldiers and noncombatants who rose above the inhumanity of lethal conflict and chose compassion, even knowing their actions could put their lives and liberty at risk.

Included in this collection are the stories of Richard Kirkland, a Confederate soldier during the Civil War who disobeyed orders and brought blankets and water to the wounded from both North and South during the Battle of Fredericksburg; Patrick Ferguson, a British soldier during the American Revolution who had the chance to kill George Washington, but refused to shoot a man in the back; and Oswald Boelcke, a German WWI flying ace who was one of the most influential tacticians of early air combat, but was known for making sure the airmen he shot down made it to the ground alive.

These inspirational stories illustrate that even in the midst of unspeakable horrors of war, acts of kindness, mercy, compassion, and humanity can prevail and, in doing so, expand our conventional thinking of honor and battlefield glory. 


My thoughts: When I think of war, I think of the lives lost. We study and learn why there was a war and hear about the heroes, look at the statistics of all who died and not learn of the everyday soldier.

During this Memorial Day season, I am thrilled to read a book about names that aren't necessarily in the history books. This book is dedicated to the humanitarian side of war, the heroes who made a difference by being compassionate.

There is a tribute to Confederate Sergeant Richard Kirkland of the Civil War. He could not sit and do nothing as soldiers were crying out for water. These soldiers were injured and dying between the warring factions. As he would climb the wall to provide aid, both sides stopped firing on each other. I always knew, but am happy to have confirmed, that soldiers are made up of good people who have a difficult job to do.

Jerry Borrowman highlights people who were involved with different wars. It is not just soldiers who made a difference, but nurses, pilots, etc. Heroes from the Revolutionary War to recent times stories are told.

This book is told in an interesting way. It doesn't read as a history book. But it does provide a brief look into the lives of extraordinary people.

Online Purchase Links:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository * Deseret Book

About the Author: (Taken from Goodreads)  Jerry Borrowman is a best-selling author of fourteen published books, most military fiction and co-authored biography. He and Rudi Wobbe, co-authors of Three Against Hitler, are recipients of the prestigious George Washington National Medal of the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge,"for their contribution to the cause of freedom."

Jerry is known for his meticulous attention to historical detail, including the technology that is unique to each story.

Visit his WEBPAGE.

Behind the Scenes by Jen Turano

Behind the Scenes by Jen Turano
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Source; Received review copy from Netgalley
Genre: Historical Christian Romance

Book Description:  Miss Permilia Griswold, the wallflower behind "The Quill" gossip column, knows everything that goes on in the ballrooms of New York. When she overhears a threat against the estimable Mr. Asher Rutherford, she's determined to warn him. Away from society's spotlight, Asher and Permilia discover there's more going on behind the scenes than they anticipated.



My thoughts: For Permilia Griswold, being a wallflower is not a bad thing. She stays on the fringes of society. She shows efforts to be a lady to her stepmother and she gets the information she needs to write her society column for the newspaper. It is usually a safe position to be in, until she overhears the plotting of a murder.

I love the books of Jen Turano that I have read. I know that I will have a strong heroin who gets herself into precarious situations. The book will be well paced and fun to read. This book fit all of the descriptions above. I loved Permilia and her unconventional friends. There are aspects that remind me of the Cinderella story. I guess any story that has a mean step-mother, spoiled step-sister, and a missing slipper.... You can't forget the handsome gentleman in the equation.

The book is set in wealthy New York City. Permilia is a champion for the underprivileged woman who knows how to shoot a gun. She is not afraid to charge to the rescue when needed or find unique ways to get out of a room. There are many moments that make you laugh.

This book is clean, with mild violence and mild kissing.

Online Purchase Links:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository