Luther and Katharina

Jody Hedlund's latest novel, Luther and Katharina,  tells the tale of Martin Luther and the woman, Katharina von Bora, who would eventually become his wife!

This tale begins with Katharina, along with a group of fellow nuns, escaping from their convent.  God had spoken to their hearts, through the truth that had been shared in the writings of Martin Luther!  After a perilous journey, they soon meet up with Martin himself at his home.  This time of the Reformation seems to be spinning things out of control as Martin attempts to find homes for these women.  As you see these women being sent one-by-one to new homes, you find Katharina to be the last one standing by Martin's side!

As a surprise to all, you see Martin Luther, the man who had vowed to never wed, marrying Katharina.  Shortly after their wedding, you see one of the men closest to Martin intent on bringing him down by threatening the very life of Katharina!

See God's hand at work keeping these believers safe and bringing His will for and through their lives to pass!


I received this book from Waterbrook Multnomah in exchange for my unbiased review

A Lady of Esteem

Take a look at A Lady of Esteem, the latest novella by Kristi Ann Hunter.  This novella is an introduction to her new series, Hawthorne House. 

Amelia Stalwood has been living in London with her governess ever since her guardian sent them into town nine years ago.  Her quiet life is about to become very lively when she is introduced to the Hawthorne family, as well as their dear friend, Anthony, the Marquis of Raeburn!

Amelia has heard the negative tales concerning Anthony's reputation.  She is not sure what to think of him or how to behave around him; however, you are not surprised when you notice that feelings are developing between them!  Time with these new friends is a fun ride for Amelia as she goes about town with them.  She is doing things she has never done before, like going to the opera and learning how to dance! 

Hang on tight to see where this tale eventually leads Amelia!

 

Faity Tale Romance Collection

Melanie Dickerson takes on the re-telling of age old tales in her Fairy Tale Romance Collection.

The Healer's Apprentice tells a new version of the story, Sleeping Beauty.  This tale opens up in the year 1386 in Hagenheim, Germany.  Rose and her friend, Hildy, are watching the parade that is welcoming home the Duke's sons.  When Lord Hamlin's eye catches sight of Rose, his face instantly softens.  You sense something exciting is going to happen!  When Rose learns that he is awaiting his bride to arrive in town, she knows she must not dream about him.  This tale will keep you guessing who Lord Hamlin's bride really is until the final pages!

The Merchant's Daughter is a recounting of The Beauty and the Beast.  This story begins in the year 1352 in Glynval, England.  Annabel must pay off her family's fine by working as an indentured service for Lord Ranulf for 3 years.  The talk in town is that he looks like a beast, with a scar running down one-side of his face!  Discover along with Annabel what type of man Lord Ranulf really is!

The Fairest Beauty retells the story of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.  We once again return to Hagenheim Castle in Germany for this tale.  When an old woman brings word that the betrothed of Duke Wilhelm's oldest son, Valten, is in grave danger, his younger son, Gabe, decides to ride to her rescue!  Gabe must battle with the evil Duchess Ermengard to bring Sophie away to safety!

The Captive Maiden is a new depiction of the age-old story of Cinderella.  When Grisela's father died, she was only eight years old.  She was left alone with a stepmother who had no compassion for her!  Gisela seems to have no hope, working as a servant to her stepmother and her stepsisters.  When Grisela (now seventeen) visits the town square in Hagenheim,  she crosses paths with Valten, the son of a Duke Wilhelm.  Will he be the one who will rescue her? Watch and see what will develop between them!

To wrap up this book, The Princess Spy is a fresh adaption of the Frog Prince.  Duke Wilhelm and Rose's oldest daughter, Margaretha, is bound to find the man God has planned for her in this tale full of lots of conversation and adventure!  It is also great to see the connection this tale has to The Merchant's Daughter!


This book is filled with exciting tales for any young adult just venturing into the world of the written word!


I received this book from Zondervan in exchange for my unbiased review

The Curiosity Keeper

The Curiosity Keeper is the first book in Sarah Ladd"s newest series, The Treasures of Surrey.  Early in this tale, James Gilchrist and Camille Iverness are brought together during a search for a valuable stolen ruby!

Camille works in her father's shop in a poor section of London and this shop is where James father originally bought the Bevoy Ruby.  After the ruby is stolen from his father's home in Fellsworth, James decides to start his search for the ruby at the Curiosity shop.  When James enters the shop during an apparent burglary, he quickly exits with Camille in his arms!  Camille had been slashed by the burglar's  knife.  When Camille's father returns home to find that the shop had been robbed, he immediately throws her out of their house.  James and Camille have no choice but to leave London, hoping that Camile can start a new life in the country!

Once they arrive in Fellsworth, Camille absolutely loves this new place.  She quickly starts a new job; however, the mystery surrounding the Bevoy ruby seems to have followed them to the country.  You soon find Camille and James in a very dangerous position on the final pages of this tale!


I received this book from Thomas Nelson in exchange for my unbiased review

In Good Company

In Good Company is the latest book by Jen Turano.  This book tells all about the fun-filled adventure of Millie Longfellow and Everett Mulberry, as they journey together to Newport, Rhode Island!

I have never experienced so many laughs and smiles as I did reading the beginning of this tale.  Everett is a somewhat snobbish member of high society; while Millie is a poor governess, who cannot seem to hold a job!  You will enjoy watching as Millie gets a job (at the last minute) to take care of Everett's wards for the summer.  As Millie and Everett learn to adjust to each others differences, you see a romance bubbling up between them!

You know trouble is coming for Millie from Everett's soon-to-be fiance, Caroline (who insists that life is all about herself).  Wait and see what happens between these three characters.  You know there will be fireworks!!!


I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for my unbiased review.

Among the Fair Magnolias

Among The Fair Magnolias is a new book containing four novellas telling tales about women during the tumultuous times of the Civil War!

First, you start off with A Heart So True by Dorothy Love.   You meet Abigail Clayton, who is caught between her father's strong wish that she marry her cousin Charles Kittridge and her own heart's desire for Dr. Wade Bennett!  Will her father's mind be changed after Charles takes a swing at Abigail?  
You will be surprised to discover which direction wins Abigail's heart in the end!

Next, you meet Savannah Darby in To Mend a Dream written by Tamera Alexandra.  When her parents and older brothers are lost during the war, Savannah has been left with her younger brother and sister to raise on her own.  When she is asked to redecorate her family home for a man from the North, it is the final straw for her!  When she meets the new owner, Aidan Bedford, she is surprisingly drawn to him. 
Will she be able to keep her real identity a secret until she can find what her father has left hidden for his family? 

In Love Beyond Limits written by Elizabeth Musser, you learn the story of Emily Derracott.  She is living in Wilkes County, Georgia, during the early days of the beatings and murders of the Ku Klux Klan!!!!!  After the Klan hangs and kills Washington, an older black man from her father's plantation, Emily cannot make sense of her world.  Will she follow after her feelings of a forbidden love for Washington's brother, Leroy,  or will she follow her parent's wishes for her to marry her childhood friend, Thomas McGinnis, who she suspects is part of the Klan?
Hang on to see where the Lord leads Emily with all the questions she has about her changing world!

Finally, you are introduced to Russell Champion in An Outlaw's Heart by Shelley Gray.  Russell ran away from home as a seventeen year old boy.  Now, he has returned seven years later to find everything changed!  His mother is near death and Nora, the girl he still loves, has taken up with a man that Russell has a bad feeling about!   
Watch and see if Russell is able to save Nora again from a bad situation!!!


I received this book from Thomas Nelson in exchange for my unbiased review

Drops of Gold

Drops of Gold is the second book in Sarah Eden's Jonquil Brothers series.  You meet Marion on her way to Farland Meadows to begin her new job as a governess.  Marion is in a desperate state as her father has recently died and she is left with nothing to live on!

When Marion finally meets her charge, Caroline Jonquil, she immediately falls in love with this four year old little girl.  Marion begins to transform this home shadowed by the death of Caroline's mother by bringing in light and laughter!  Caroline's father, Layton Jonquil, seems to be the greatest victim in this dark place!

Hold on tight as you see the deep secrets of both Marion and Layton brought into the light!