True Grit

Tracie Peterson has written another historical adventure romance based on a true event. Meet Grace Martindale and her two sisters, Hope and Mercy, in "Treasured Grace." After the death of her parents, Grace decides to go to Oregon City where her uncle lives. In order to get there, she marries the Right Reverend T.S. Martindale who needs a wife as part of the missionary mandate. Together, with her sisters, they join a wagon train heading west but tragedy occurs and the reverend dies along with many others as sickness spreads. With winter approaching, Grace decides to stay at the Whitman Mission. Here at the mission, Grace tries to adjust to frontier life using her herbal skills while meeting frontiersman Alex Armistead, the Nez Perce, and the Cayuse. Then a measles outbreak happens increasing tension among the Native Americans and the mission residents, particularly Dr. Whitman. Based on the Whitman Mission Massacre. I found the reading riveting. Did not want to put it down to go to work! You won't be disappointed if you are looking for a historical adventure. I received a complementary copy from Bethany House to review and give my honest opinion.

One Too Many Secrets

  Shelley Shepard Gray presents a new book in the Amish genre, "Her Secret."
Hannah Hilty is young Amish woman who discovers an old Englisher boyfriend is stalking her. After receiving pictures in the mail, her family moves from Ohio to another Amish community in Kentucky to escape his presence. She lives in fear, not wanting to leave the safety of her family's house. Her brother and her sister are upset with having to leave their friends and family behind. There is animosity about the siblings.
 With much coaxing by Hannah's mother, Hannah eventually leaves the confines of the their house and goes on a walk where she happens upon her neighbor Issac. Described as a "deer in headlights," fear immobilizes her and she rushes back to safety. She is afraid that "the stalker" will find her, she can not trust anyone with her secret. But she is not the only one with a secret. Her sister and her mother also have their secrets.
  I really like Gray's past books and looked forward to reading this one. I was a little disappointed in the lack of depth in the characters of Hannah's parents or even more about the stalker. Overall, I enjoyed this quick read.
I received this complementary copy from LiftUse to review and give my honest opinion. Visit
http://litfusegroup.com/author/SGray

Home in the Heart

 Priscilla Hutchens has only one thing on her mind when she arrives at Fort Bliss, Texas: claim her nephew and niece who have lost both parents, her only living family. Her plan is thwarted upon meeting the post surgeon, Major Elliot Ryder, who happens to be the children's uncle. Priscilla's father was a military man and died serving his country. His death and her mother's bitter attitude has turned Priscilla against the military. So begins Erica Vetsch's new book "Fort Bliss, Texas: Priscilla's Reveille."
  The story had a nice flow while developing the characters. I enjoyed the addition of Major Ryder's interest in herbal medicines and how he was using them on the frontier to treat people. So if you enjoy historical romance add this book to your reading agenda.
  I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

On A Mission

"Still Life" is Dani Pettrey's second book in Chesapeake Valor series. This book continues the story line that began with "Cold Shot." Avery Tate and Parker Mitchell are the two characters featured in this adventure but the reader continues to get glimpses of Declan, Tanner, Lexi, Griffin and Finley. Avery is attending an art showing where she is to meet her best friend, Skylar. Only Skylar never shows. Instead, a mysterious photo of her shows up at the art show. Avery and Parker team up to find her with the help of their friends. They are sure they have their suspect, Sebastian, but then another twist occurs in the investigation. Join this adventurous team on another life and death mission.
An enjoyable read but pretty predictable as each couple pairs up during their adventure.
I received this book for free to review and give my honest opinion from Bethany House.

The Elusive Miss Ellison

   Move over Jane Austin, Carolyn Miller has written a wonderful historical fiction "The Elusive Miss Ellison." Reminiscent of another era, the reader will find Lavinia Ellison a spirited heroine as she challenges the new Earl of Hawkesbury with her wit and selflessness to help others less fortunate. But Lavinia is also held to the past when she witnessed the death of her mother from a horse belonging to the Hawkesbury family. She does not think to highly of the new Earl until she is found collapsed in the field from influenza and smallpox, spending the next several weeks at the Earl of Hawkesbury's estate. She discovers a different side to the Earl. Nicholas carries the pain of the past as well not only from his brother's doings but from the war where he served and was injured. Fondness develops between the two of them, then Nicholas' mother arrives at the estate declaring Lavinia is not worthy to marry her son or is she! The book has some nice twists in it. I enjoyed being transported back to another time and place.
I received this complementary copy to give a review for Litfuse Publicity Group. Check out Litfuse at www.litfusegroup.com and http://litfusegroup.com/author/CMiller