A Dance in Donegal

Moira's mother's dying wish was that her daughter go to Ireland and teach in the town she grew up in. Moira doesn't want to leave Boston behind but she keeps having ominous dreams and she finally feels compelled to go abroad. Set in 1920 this historical romance features a lovely backdrop, the Irish town of Donegal. When she arrives in the Emerald Isle it's not all sunshine and roses however. Many are skeptical of the "yank" and one of her students has set out to make her miserable. Moira thanks God for the few friends she makes and is determined to make it work. But that resolution becomes harder and harder to achieve as rumors of her and her mother begin to surface. Just what kind of reputation did her mother leave behind when she sailed to America? One constant in her new life is Sean, a nice and gentlemanly thatcher. Is there something more than friendship there? There are definitely some dark and unexpected moments in this inspirational historical romance, but Moira always turns towards God and makes the most out of hard circumstances. 

Joy to the World

Honestly, this is exactly what I needed. It's been a while since I read any regency romance and this inspirational novellas were just what the doctor ordered. Each story was only around 100 pages but did a beautiful job of setting up the whole story and characters in no time. In" Heaven and Nature Sing" two former love birds are thrust together at their godmother's house over the holidays. Will they get past the misunderstandings that drove them apart nearly a year ago?  "Far as the Curse is Found" had definite Beauty and the Beast vibes. A masked man takes an unmarried young woman with child under his wing and allows her to work on his estate. Will she thaw his cold dead heart? The final story "Wonders of His Love," follows a widowed woman who starts to follow for the Scottish painter who has been commissioned to paint portraits of the family. Will the dowager stand in her way? Will she find her voice? A thoughtful collection - will appeal to fans of regency romance and inspirational fiction. 

Nothing Short of Wondrous

I really like the concept of this series - inspirational historical romance set in different spots of American Wonder. The first book in the series took place at the Grand Canyon and this installment featured Yellowstone. Both have completely unrelated characters so there is no harm in reading this series out of order since there is no continuity. The US Calvary has just been tasked with patrolling Yellowstone and keeping not only the visitors, but the park safe as well. Widowed Kate Tremaine and her young son own and operate one of the few hotels allowed on the park. She's anxious that her lease be extended because this is the only home her son has ever known, plus she loves the geysers that her hotel looks out upon. Congress, Lieutenant William Prescott has been tasked to look over the part of the park that Kate's hotel is on and they strike an uneasy truce. Kate will show him the ins and out  of the land acting as their guide - in return Prescott and his men will help her with some manual labor around the hotel. The unlikely pair start falling for each other - and danger in the park draws them even closer together. Clean, wholesome, and fluffy. Great historical romance with a beautiful scenic background. 

An Empty Cup

Another great Amish novel from Sarah Price! A mother who is constantly beset with requests (or demands) of help feels herself being worn down. She keeps giving but everything is starting to lose its luster. She keeps praying to God to give her back her zeal and positivity but each day is a challenge. After her emotionally abusive and alcoholic husband died in accident she spent a few lonely years with her two children until she was approached by a widower and re-married. Things have been mostly good - but he's not use to children or living on a farm. Sometimes he's harsher on his new wife then intended - and to top it off there is a new Amish woman working at his leather shop who is causing all sorts of problems. A quick and satisfying read that obviously has a happy ending.

An Amish Buggy Ride

This was a quick, satisfying read. Kate Zook's life is turned upside down when her brother is involved in a tragic accident and she feels responsible for her "role" in it. She was already a pious and religious girl but in the months afterward she really doubles down on her faith and her guilt. She lets her now crippled brother boss her around and berate her thinking she deserves it. Her home life is somber and strained. When Samuel Esch starts to take an interest in her she is flabbergasted, why would anyone take an interest in her? Samuel gets Kate to start open up and living life - determined to ease some of the burden she carries. Thoughtful, poignant, and romantic - Amish romance at its finest!

Christmas in Winter Hill

Short and sweet, this inspirational holiday read is a light palate cleanser - good for when you'er getting stressed around the holidays. Single mom Krista and her daughter Emily move from Arizona to Winter Hill Washington and they're in for a treat. Krista isn't one for Christmas cheer but that's about to change when she takes over as city manager and has to help out with Christmastown. Everyone in the small town gets involved and it's a month long festival. This year is even more special as they are giving away a "Christmas house" - a lovingly refurbished historic home to the best essay (see where this is going yet?). Krista and her daughter have made lots of new friends (her assistant's son isn't hard on the eyes) but she's also made some enemies as well. The town's finance manager has a bone to pick with Christmastown and he takes out his frustration on Krista. Was moving to this town a good idea? Will she survive without a car in a small apartment? Is she happier? A quick read with a happy ending all wrapped up in a bow.

Lady of a Thousand Treasures

Inspirational readers will be a big fan of this historical fiction involving, murder, theft, intrigue, romance, and a dash of adventure. Miss Eleanor Sheffield is practically running her late father's antiquities and appraisal shop. Her uncle is in declining health and it's on her and another young man to keep the business afloat. Many of the aristocracy and wealthy have reservations about a young lady's knowledge in treasures, but she was trained by the best, her father. When a large estate of treasures is placed in Eleanor's care to decide whether the collection should say with the deceased man's son or go to a museum, she finds herself torn. The son in question is her former crush, and she fears she still has feelings for him. What's a girl to do? If that wasn't complicated enough, counterfeits keep cropping up, and she discovers that bills have gone unpaid. How will she ever keep her family's business open? A delicate, inspirational romance with lush atmosphere.

Same Kind of Different As Me

A quick inspiring read about two men with nothing in common, finding, they do in fact have things in common. Denver is an illiterate, black, homeless man who grew up as a modern day slave working for the man in Louisiana. Ron is a famed international art dealer with more money then he knows what to do with. When Ron's wife feels called by God to start helping others, Ron goes along for the ride. He begrudgingly starts handing out meals at a local mission. While there he encounters Denver, but Denver wants nothing to do with him. The streets have made him hard and he doesn't have time for rich people trying to make themselves feel better by helping the homeless. Slowly though, Ron's wife pushes the two of them together and they realize that they have more in common then they ever thought possible and start to genuinely appreciate each other's perspectives on life. A little hokey, but I'm probably just a jaded cynic.

Finding Her Heart

This inspirational romance begs to the question, what would happen if everything that could go wrong, did go wrong? In Allie's case, she faces one uphill battle after another. Her only constant has been her passion for art. Growing up in a small town she was more sheltered than most. Raised in seclusion by her aunt and uncle, her only friends were forest animals. Due to her Asperger's most of the kids in school made fun of her, and the fact that she had to wear overly modest, homemade clothes, didn't help her much either. When it comes time to graduate she has her heart set on art school. She uses the money she's earned from winning painting competitions to secure her first year and things finally seem to be looking up. Then her uncle dies. Despite all the obstacles being thrown at her Allie finds a way to tough it out, despite her disability and lack of money or resources. Everything would be so much easier if she had God on her side, but she doesn't know where to begin. If only she had a man to show her the way, or a parent figure. Then lo and behold, the comes a man who is set on helping her out. But is just interested in her art, or maybe in her heart? Finding her Heart contains a little bit of romance, faith, and perseverance. It is a quick inspirational read that readers will adore.

The Road to Magnolia Glen

A misunderstanding has Kiera Young and her two younger sisters almost sold into a brothel upon their arrival in the new world. Thankfully, a fellow Irishman aboard their ship, saves the day and whisks the girls off to Breeze Hill Plantation where his brother resides. Unluckily, the Young Irish lasses may not be as safe as they think even though they are far from port. Quinn and his brother do all they can to keep the girls safe, but suddenly Quinn's heart is in danger. He finds himself falling for Kiera and has to rethink what his future has in store. Is there room in his heart and his home for this troubled, beautiful young girl? A little bit of danger, intrigue, romance, and inspiration are tucked into this novel. Although it's the second in a series, it features different characters and reads easy as a standalone.

Ryan's Crossing

The second book in an inspirational series; this installment focuses on Ryan, Amber's brother. Astonished to see his sister again after so long, he is initially guarded. How did everything turn out so well for her? She was a runaway for years and now she's getting married and marrying into the nicest and most genuine family Ryan has ever seen. Also, his parents and younger brother Keith seem pretty content and may also settle down in the same small town of Crossing. The turmoil of his youth is forgotten and he seems unsure of what to do. Should he stay in his paramedic job a few hours away or should he move closer to family and make up for lost time? It doesn't hurt that his sister's new sister-in-law is the most gorgeous and caring beauty he's ever seen. Will God show him what path to choose?

Crossing Values

Amber never stays in any place long, she's been fleeing for years trying to forget her past. When she arrives in the small town Crossing, Oregon her past starts to catch up on her. Offered a job and room and board for secretarial work, she gets a warm welcome from a boisterous and loving family who are determined to help Amber find peace with her past and with God. She slowly starts to open up to this welcoming family and starts to find herself drawn to their son Luke. There's only one problem, he's already got a gorgeous and accomplished young lady by his side. But God works and mysterious ways and as the holidays approach she lets her guard down and might actually be able to open up about what she's running away from. Can she trust these people? Do they have ulterior motives? Does Luke feel the same way about her as she does about him? How does God play into all of this? A quick inspirational read that is the first in a series.

The Dishonorable Miss DeLancey

This inspirational Regency romance was a surprisingly quick read. I also neglected to realize that this was the third in the series until after I finished it but that didn't seem to matter as I understood the story perfectly well and didn't feel like their were any missing pieces. Clara was forced to flee London and any prospects of marrying again after she befell some unspeakable scandal. The seaside does little to mend her broken heart until she encounters a dashing man who happens to save her life one stormy night. She soon begins to encounter him again and again as she has become friends with his younger sisters, and tries in vain to avoid opening her heart to him. Captain Kemsley isn't in high standing like Clara's family and doesn't have money or fancy titles to offer her, but worse than that is the scandal surrounding her, she'll be mortified if he ever discovers her past dark secrets. If she allows her faith to take flight and her new friends to guide her, there is no telling where it might lead her heart.

The Things We Knew

Five siblings, five separate paths, everyone has moved on. Everyone that is except, Lynette. As the youngest she stayed behind in Nantucket to help with the house and their father after their mother's untimely death. As her father slips farther and farther into Alzheimers and the house sinks further in to debt she knows she has to seek help. Her siblings have proven to be no help so she goes to the bank seeking a loan and instead finds her childhood crush. Nick was her older brother's best friend and just when she thought they might mutually like each other he was off to college and she hasn't seen him in 5 years. Nick is convinced that she needs to sell the huge home, but it's so full of memories that she doesn't think she can part with it. Also there is a pesky little thing in her mother's will stipulating that all 5 children have to be present and all agree on whatever happens to the estate. With no other options she resorts to assembling her far flung brothers and sister. Gray, the musician with addiction problems, the happily married dad, the too busy for family lawyer, and the missionary in Africa. With everyone together for the first time since their mother's death memories and truths start to surface. Will Lynette be able to handle it? Is it better to leave the truth buried? Who can she trust? Does Nick really care for her? While definitely classified as inspirational, it's not over the top zealous like some in the genre and will have a wide range of appeal to other audiences. I could have done with Lynette being a stronger character. She didn't want to be treated like the baby of the family but she definitely acted like it on occasion. I preferred some of the other characters a little better.

I received this book for free from Litfuse Publicity in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.

Murder Comes by Mail

For such a light hearted inspirational read there was certainly some dark subject matter contained in these pages. Deputy Michael Keane's good deed has backfired, and in an awful twisted way. After rescuing a man who was about to jump to his death, the suicidal man whispers "You'll wish you pushed me." The next day an envelope filled with pictures of a dead girl arrive and word is that the jumper has escaped from the psychiatric ward. What has the deputy done? How will he live with himself? As the bodies start piling up, the rumors go flying, his loved ones feel threatened. The Deputy must turn to God to get help in order to catch the madman that is threatening the sleepy little town of Hidden Springs. Filled with quaint larger than life small town figures, cute scenery, and unrequited romance, this mystery will attract inspirational romance readers who don't mind when things get a little dark. A charming little read.

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

Sister Eve and the Blue Nun

The third book in a quirky new mystery series by Lynne Hinton. Sister Eve is not your average nun, she's a motorcycle wearing, habit defying, mystery solving nun that has stumbled across a murder. One of the keynote speakers at a conference has been murdered and so far the main suspect is the speaker's brother, a monk at the monastery and good friend to Sister Eve. Convinced that Brother Anthony could never have murdered his own flesh and blood, Sister Eve sets out to solve the murder in her own clumsy way. A bungled crime scene later, some advantageous eavesdropping, and some breaking and entering later, she finds herself in deeper than she meant to go. On top of this all, she has to decide whether or not to stay a nun or to quit and join her father in his private detective business. Plus there is that cure officer she keeps running into... Soo many decisions to make and a murderer to catch. A cute inspirational mystery, but not very taxing or hard to solve.

I received this book for free from Litfuse Publicity in return for my honest, unbiased review.

The Inheritance

Book one of the Secrets of the Shetlands deals with the turmoil that Whales Reef finds itself in. After the death of their laird, David (the chief) finds that the money has gone dry. Will the tiny island be able to support itself? How will the wool factory workers get paid? David discovers that there will be no income until the estate is resolved and it seems like that may be a while since they aren't sure who the true heir should be. Is it David, the chief, or Hardy, his mean foolish cousin? Life on the Scottish island tries to go on as normal, but everyone is worried. What will happen to their traditions and their heritage? Meanwhile, Loni, a 33 year old American is trying to come to terms with her life as an assistant in Washington. Should she focus on her career, her faith, her boyfriend, her past? She doesn't know, but she soon has some surprises coming her way. An inspirational read that will charm fans of Scottish small town living.

I received this book for free from Litfuse Publicity in return for my honest, unbiased review.

Kissed by a Cowboy

The third in an inspirational romance series, this cowboy love story leaves little to the imagination. Cassidy Starr escapes her loveless marriage and retreats to her aunt's house where she spent many a summer growing up. With her aunt dead six years, Cassidy hopes to turn the farmhouse into a bed and breakfast and organic strawberry farm. She happens to forget that the boy who broke her heart as a teenager lives right next door, and of course he's a gorgeous cowboy. Jarrod Monahan's biggest mistake was fleeing Cassidy's love. They shared a beautiful kiss and then he fled; her heart broken she threw herself onto the first man she saw, her awful ex-husband. Now he is determined to right his wrongs and win her back but she's having none of it, he already had his chance and Cassidy wants to be an independent women. It's the usual romance story and the reader knows how it will end after the first chapter. It's not too "Christian," so some reader's won't be scared away by excessive preachiness. The book justifies divorce, helps out unwed teen mothers, and the characters attend a "cowboy church." It's a light fluffy read with a little God, an eccentric town (my favorite part), and a happy ending.

I received this book for free from Litfuse publicity in return for my honest, unbiased review.

A Worthy Heart

Maggie Montgomery and her brother Gabe are thrilled to finally visit New York, with Ireland on the brink of civil war and Maggie wanting to escape a broken engagement there is no better time to visit their older brother in America. Rylan and his new wife run an orphanage and Maggie and Gabe plan on not only visiting but helping out where needed, little do they know that Maggie is wanting her stay to be more.. permanent. She immediately sets off looking for employment but she quickly runs into trouble, her ex-fiance. As if her heart wasn't already battered enough, the nice man she met at her sister-in-law's house turns out to be a convict. Will she never find anyone suitable? Or is there more than meets the eye? Despite everyone's warnings she and the felon, Adam, (also her sister-in-law's brother) start to become friends. Just when they think they might be able to make things work, a horrible bout of typhoid wreaks havoc on the orphanage. Will God be able to see them through? Will Gabe and his new love interest be able to weather the storm? Set in pre-world war I New York this Christian romance will have reader's asking for me. It is the second in an installment, but I was able to read it just fine without having read the first one first.

For fans of inspirational and historical romance.

I received this book for free from Bethany House Bloggers in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.

Captive Review and DVD Giveaway!

Based on the powerful memoir, this inspirational movie tells the true story of how a young mother was helped captive by an escaped convict and how she turned to Rick Warren's "The Purpose Driven Life" for guidance and hope. Her faith and her determination led her to escape not only her captor but her addiction to meth. Ashley Smith was an addict, her husband was dead, her child taken away, and she thought her life couldn't get any worse. She had no idea how to turn her life around, then one night a murderous felon held her captive in her own apartment and with the help of "The Purpose Driven Life" they each decide to stop running. Brian Nichols decided to stop running from the law and Ashley Smith stopped running from her denial and decided to face her addiction head on. The movie follows the book fairly closely but doesn't emphasize the religious aspect as much. It's still powerful, although with a PG-13 rating, this inspirational true story won't reach as wide of an audience as many other religious movies do.

What's that, you want to watch this movie? Well how would you like to win a free copy? All you have to do is comment below with your name and I will randomly select a winner next Friday.

"Disclosure (in accordance with the FTC’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”): Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post. Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.”