Threads of Change

I've read several inspirational historical romance quilting books this year (phew is that a mouthful) and this one followed a pretty similar route. Take a historical romance, add some widows or unmarried women who too much time on their hands, throw in a dash of quilting with a side of unrequited love and VOILA you have this book (along with a whole new genre).

Liz is an independent women, she is a widow with a ten year old son and she isn't afraid to speak her mind. When her grandfather convinces her that she, her sister, her two cousins, her son, and her should move west to Texas, in order to avoid the coming war (Civil War) she hesitantly agrees. While on the trail to Texas she utilizes her quick thinking and inner strength to save the traveling party from near disaster several times. It may seem like she's in control of everything but her heart and her head are at war. Accompanying them is her dead husband's best friend, Thomas. He's clearly smitten with her and she is unsure how to proceed. What's a woman to do? Spoiler alert, quilting solves most problems.

The storyline was decent although the beginning was convoluted and confusing. Once they reached Texas I feel like the author rushed together a hasty ending. The pacing was a little odd but overall I guess the story was ok.

I received this book for free from Moody Publishing in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.

The Pelican Bride

Albeit a little sappy, this wasn't a half bad inspirational historical fiction. Based on a largely forgotten piece of little known history, this story followed the plight of the french women sent to the Americas aboard the Pelican to become brides to military men holding down a fort in Louisiana. They became known as "the Pelican brides" and unfortunately many of them succumbed to sickness on the way their and upon arrival. This fictionalized account follows young Genevieve Gaillain and her sister as they escape France and try to find refuge in The New World. If they thought they would be safer in Louisiana they were solely mistaken. Men fight for the women's attentions, sickness claims many, "savages" roam the streets; they traded one hellish adventure for another. Genevieve soon finds herself falling for the roguish, brute, Tristan Lanier and wonders if he could ever love her, despite her sordid past. Filled with political intrigue, romance, brawls, and suspense. This is a good crossover book for those who are thinking about dipping into the inspirational romance genre. It's not too heavy handed, yet plays an integral part of the story line.

I received this book for free from Revell Reads in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.

A Ranger's Trail

Each book in the Texas Trails series has its own unique voice (due to, in part, the myriad of writers that author the books). "A Ranger's Trail" is no exception this book takes place several years after the last installment and spotlights new characters in the Morgan family. Leta Denning is widowed after an angry German mob murders her husband in front of her and their child. Now nearly a year later another mob has formed, this one, behind an ex-Texas Ranger, is out exacting vengeance on the German mob for killing Leta's husband and one of the ranger's friend. It has turned into a regular old blood feud and no one is safe. Enter Buck Morgan, a Texas Ranger who is trying to get to the bottom of the fiasco and find out who belongs to which mob. Things become muddled thought when he meets Leta and finds himself falling for her charms. He is sworn to uphold the law, but it gets harder as his family is involved and his heartstrings are being pulled.

A fast paced novel about how vengeance tears apart the best of people. Like the characters we need to learn the hard lesson of forgiving one another, even when the crimes committed are pretty much unforgivable.

For fans of Christian historical romance and westerns.

A Sensible Arrangement

The title pretty much sums it all up. Sensible, sensible, sensible. Marty Olsen is ready to get out of Texas by any means possible. The death of her husband still haunts her and she can't escape the memories of him and their childless marriage. She hastily responds to an add looking for a Lone Star bride in Colorado. The add makes it very clear that a wife us needed for social standing, nothing else, and that it will be a sensible arrangement. No love required.

When Marty arrives she soon wonders if she will be able to hold on to that promise. Does God have another plan for her and Jake? Sprinkled with wonderful historical details, this story will delight and enthrall readers.

For fans of christian historical fiction. I received this book for free from Litfuse publicity in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.