Review: Heart on the Line

Heart on the Line is the second novel in Karen Witemeyer's series, The Ladies of Harper’s Station. Book one is No Other Will Do which was published in June 2016. I recall reading No Other Will Do, but it's been a while. I was little uncertain about how much background I would need for book two, Heart on the Line.

I thought Heart on the Line could stand on its own if you jumped into the series without reading previous titles. (There is a novella out as well, Worth the Wait.) Characters from previous stories appear, but the main players, Grace Mallory and Amos Bledsoe, are newer to Harper's Station. It truly is about their lives and their work as telegraphers. A side story is included in this novel about the prickly character of Helen.

I loved Heart on the Line. The telegraph career was so interesting. It makes me want to learn Morse Code and send messages to someone. Beyond an interesting career, this story was surprisingly action packed! An inheritance that is hidden is trying to be saved from a killer.

I cannot wait for the next installment of Witemeyer's The Ladies of Harper's Station. I would love to hear more about Helen, but I'm guessing more ladies will keep coming to Harper's Station looking for help. Well written, Ms. Witemeyer!

Genre: Historical Fiction
Time Period: 1894
Location: Texas

I received this book for free from Bethany House for an honest review.

Title: Heart on the Line
Series: Book 2, The Ladies of Harper's Station
Author: Karen Witemeyer
ISBN: 9780764212826

Review: With You Always

Jody Hedlund has a new historical fiction series! The series is entitled Orphan Train. Book one is With You Always. Instead of lighthouses or medieval times, Hedlund heads "out West." When I think of the West, I imagine the West Coast. In With You Always, the West means traveling to Illinois from New York City.

I opened the book from preconceived notions about what the story would entail. It's about an orphan train heading out West to drop off children and two people fall in love along the way. Nope! It was totally unexpected and wonderfully surprising. With You Always shared survival struggles in New York City as well as in Illinois. NYC survival in the tenements is difficult with no jobs, gangs, poor living condition, and if there is food on the table. On the other hand, people are trying to build a city in Illinois. Building a city takes time and effort as well as people wanting good work conditions and enough money to live in IL as well as sent money back home to family. And I haven't even mentioned family rivalry, faith, and love. A fantastic story woven in an exciting new historical fiction! I cannot wait to for the next book to come out. If you like author Hedlund or historical fiction, I would highly recommend With You Always.

To catch the latest Jody Hedlund news, visit her website or follow her on social media: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook.

Genre: Historical Fiction
Time Period: 1850's
Location: New York and Illinois

I received this book for free from Bethany House for an honest review.

Title: With You Always
Series: Book 1, Orphan Train
Author: Jody Hedlund
ISBN: 9780764218040

Review: A Love So True

A Love So True is the second novel in the Teaville Moral Society series by Melissa Jagears. It's a series I jumped into without reading book one, A Heart Most Certain. The cover photo and a familiar author drew me in right away. I previous read her series, Unexpected Brides, and enjoyed the novels.

If you begin reading the Teaville Moral Society with book two, you will be able to follow the described story, "Evelyn Wisely loves working at the local orphanage, but her heart can't ignore the women of Teaville who are also in need. ... While David Kingsman plans to stay in Teaville just long enough to get his father's business back on solid ground, he's intrigued by Evelyn's cause and finds himself more invested with each passing day." Characters from book one are in book two, but you do not need the backstory if you want to jump right in! I would encourage you to start reading if you enjoy historical fiction, helping others, overcoming adversity, growing in faith, and falling in love.

After reading A Love So True, I'm going to visit my local library and find A Heart Most Certain. I look forward to reading more from Melissa Jagears. To catch the latest news, visit her website or follow her on Twitter.

Genre: Historical Fiction
Time Period: Progressive Era, 1908
Location: Kansas

I received this book for free from Bethany House for an honest review.

Title: A Love So True
Series: Book 2, Teaville Moral Society
Author: Melissa Jagears
ISBN: 9780764217524

Review: The Chapel Car Bride

Moonshine. Unions. Mining.

Travel with the Irvines to a coal mining town of Finch, West Virginia to share the Gospel. The chapel car is divided between living space for Hope and her father as well as a small chapel to host worship services. While her father preaches in the chapel car, Hope gathers the children outside to share lessons.

Small-town Finch varies drastically from Pittsburgh. Beyond Hope's physical journey along the railway, Hope takes new paths in her spiritual and emotional life. She meets two men who offer their help, but with different motives. One is selfish while the other works on being selfless. Outward appearances might strike your fancy, but it's truly what is on the inside that will attract a partner.

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I enjoyed journeying with the Irvines in this standalone book. It's a turn of the century / pre-World War time period and presented in a new way. The chapel car idea was new to me and very interesting. I liked reading about the spiritual growth of the characters through their trials and triumphs. Beyond getting to know the father and daughter mission team, there are two love interests as well as the community of Finch. Judith Miller is a prolific writer and if you like the railway, I would highly recommend reading her series Postcards From Pullman. Visit Miller's website for a full list of available titles as well as contact information!

Time Period: Progressive Era, 1913
Location: Finch, West Virginia

I received this book for free from Bethany House for an honest review.

Title: The Chapel Car Bride
Author: Judith Miller
ISBN: 9780764219054

Review: Hello, Bicycle

I've been pondering digging in the garage for my old bicycle. Hello, Bicycle arrived to give me insight on becoming a cyclists again. Author Anna Brones writes in a very conversational tone which I appreciated. It was a book that I didn't want to set down. The style of the book is also eye-catching. The book could fit comfortably in a bag or in a bicycle basket. Rather than black print inside, the text, as well as the illustrations by James Gulliver Hancock, are in tones of green. Love how easy on the eyes it is to read green and white pages over black and white pages. I am excited to venture into the garage and clean up my bike this year. I want to ride. Thanks for the inspiration and helpful information for a newbie, Anna Brones!

I received this book for free from Blogging for Books for an honest review.

Title: Hello, Bicycle: An Inspired Guide to the Two-Wheeled Life
Author: Anna Brones
ISBN: 9781607748830

Review: For Love and Honor

For Love and Honor is Jody Hedlund's third title in her medieval series, An Uncertain Choice. As with the previous titles, it is action packed from beginning to end. The series is linked together with the previous two titles, An Uncertain Choice and A Daring Sacrifice, but it can be read as a standalone story.


This story focuses on the handsome (and rejected) Sir Bennet. He returns home to take over his brother's land because he cannot manage the family property. Bennet's brother, Aldric, has sunk the family into debt and the neighbors are not pleased. Bennet is taking charge and needs to save the his family's land, priceless antiques, and their lives. Enter Sabine who wants to purchase some priceless treasures, but her Grandmother has matchmaking on her mind.

Hedlund crafts such a great medieval story. This time period in history isn't my top genre, but her writing is so enjoyable! I savored Sabine's independence and uniqueness. I loved Bennet's caring and determination (until it moved to stubbornness). Even though the characters lived years in the past, similar questions and feelings can be felt by readers today. Sabine's uncertainties were very understandable. The struggle for acceptance is one so many of us face.

The story is, again, shared between two voices - Bennet and Sabine. The fonts change so the reader can distinguish who is sharing their story. The story wraps up in this novel, but I would like to hear more about Aldric. He began his recovery journey, but I would like to hear more... When you read an enjoyable story, one book is never enough!

Time Period: Medieval, 1391
Location: Maidstone Castle, Hampton

Reviewed from a review copy. Thank you, Zondervan and Jody Hedlund!

Review: The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill

The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill is Julie Klassen's newest historical fiction book. It's also the start of a series! The book description from Klassen's website shares,

"The lifeblood of the village of Ivy Hill is its coaching inn, The Bell. When the innkeeper dies suddenly, his genteel wife, Jane Bell, becomes the reluctant landlady. Jane has no idea how to manage a business. But with the town's livelihood at stake and a large loan due, she must quickly find a way to save the inn."


At the end of the book, there was an author's note from Julie Klassen. She talked about her desire to write a novel in the style of a British television show. Think "Larkrise to Candleford" or "Cranford" from the BBC. After reading (and enjoying), The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill, that is where my mind went when I finished the book. Well-written, Author Klassen! I think you succeeded in your writing goal. I felt like I was a part of the community and I wanted to know more about everyone in Ivy Hill. I am looking forward to the next installment of Tales from Ivy Hill. I also feel that this is a book I would read again.

For additional information about the series, Tales from Ivy Hill, visit the website.

Time Period: 18oo's
Location: Ivy Hill, England

Reviewed from a library copy.

Title: The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill
Series: Book 1, Tales from Ivy Hill
Author: Julie Klassen
Release Date: December 6, 2016
ISBN: 9780764218132


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Review: Never Forget

Never Forget is the fifth and final book in Jody Hedlund's series Beacons of Hope. The entire series goes as follows: Love Unexpected, Hearts Made Whole, Undaunted Hope, Forever Safe, and Never Forget. 

Victoria's fiance, Nathaniel Winthrop III, from Forever Safe is dissatisfied with his life. While sailing with a friend, he gets knocked over board and is lost at sea. He washes ashore on Rose Island and found by light keeper Abbie Watson. Now Abbie needs to manage three men - her ill grandfather, the stranger from the beach, and a man from the Lighthouse Board.

Beacons of Hope series is tied together by lighthouses and faith. The previous titles were located in Michigan and Massachusettes. Hedlund travels to a new state to share a new (and final) tale in the series - Rhode Island.








Reaching the conclusion of a series is exciting, satisfying, and saddening. I love a complete series, but sometimes it's hard to say goodbye. I know Jody Hedlund will keep writing. Her books will be new and exciting and she'll finish her other series. Beacons of Hope was so much fun to read! Thank you for a fun adventure! I look forward to your new books that will be coming in the future.

Time Period: 1880
Location: Rose Island Lighthouse, Rhode Island, USA

Reviewed from a complimentary copy. Thank you, Jody Hedlund!

Title: Never Forget
Series: Book 5, Beacons of Hope
Author: Jody Hedlund
Release Date: January 4, 2017
ISBN: 9780692770879