Review: River to Redemption

I briefly read the back cover of River to Redemption by Ann H. Gabhart which reads,

"Orphaned in the cholera epidemic of 1833, Adria Starr was cared for by a slave Louis, a man who passed up the opportunity to escape his bondage and instead tended to the sick and buried the dead. A man who, twelve years later, is being sold by his owners despite his heroic actions.

Now nineteen, Adria has never forgotten what Louis did for her. She's determined to find a way to buy Louis's freedom. But in 1840's Kentucky, she'll need all of the courage and strength she possesses - and more."

I clamped onto the word orphan at the beginning and thought to myself, "Hey! It's another orphan train book!" I just finished Together Forever by Jody Hedlund (Book 02, Orphan Train) so I guessed that this would be another author writing about orphan trains. Needless to say, I was surprised the entire time I was reading! Sometimes, it's good to not know the synopsis of a book and just dive right into it.

It was a heavy book in the way of overcoming grief and finding your path in life. Cholera took a toll on hundreds of thousands of people and Gabhart shared a small snippet of time with the reader. It was fascinating to find out that she took two historical people - Louis and Matilda - and shared a story about them. It was beautiful to read about deep and unshakable faith as well as faith that was clouded by hurt and grief. They did what needed to be done and the Lord would take care of the rest. It was a reassuring read.

This is a standalone title, but I'm hopeful for a sequel about Adria Starr. We'll see what the future holds!

Time Period: 1833
Location: Springfield, Kentucky, USA

Reviewed from a library copy.

Title: River to Redemption
Author: Ann H. Gabhart
Publisher: Revell
Release Date: July 3, 2018
ISBN: 9780800723644

Review: Together Forever

Together Forever is the second book in Jody Hedlund's series, Orphan Train. Books one, With You Always, was published in 2017 and was a fantastic read. This second title is equally mesmerizing. Once I cracked open the book, I could not put it down.
I would recommend reading With You Always before reading Together Forever, but if you can't wait you can jump in and read this one first in the series. Book one focuses on building a city in the the western land of Illinois. Book two shares the story of placing children from New York into homes located in the West (today's Mid-West).

Again, I had preconceived notions about Together Forever. I thought the story would pick up in Illinois where With You Always left off. Nope. Readers will head back to New York and go on a new adventure. Yes, characters from book one are in book two, but this could almost be a standalone. Hedlund writes a very compelling story and is fantastic at honing in on the main characters while sharing tidbits from previous characters. I definitely closed the book satisfied, but craving more from the world she created. I cannot wait for the next installment in her Orphan Train series!

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 as a gift from Jody Hedlund.

Title: Together Forever
Series: Book 2, Orphan Train
Author: Jody Hedlund
ISBN: 9780764218057

Review: How to Window Box

Are you looking into starting a gardening? Are looking to build a garden in a small space? How to Window Box by Chantal Aida Gordon and Ryan Benoit could be the book you seek. They offer ideas and information about "small-space plants to grow indoors or out."

Window boxes can be enjoyed inside your home or in the great outdoors. They can be huge or tiny depending on the plants you use or the size of your containers. This book focuses on small size window boxes, but there are other gardening books that feature containers of various sizes. Gordon and Benoit also offer a wide range of garden types - edible, beach, bog, floral, and more. Each created box type has general plant information (light, soil, water, feeding, etc.), names of possible plants you can use (genus and species), instructions on putting the box together, tips, and notes on how to personalize your window box.

It's a fun little book to add to your gardening collection. It would be fun to create window boxes for yourself or to give as a gift.

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

Title: How to Window Box
Author: Chantal Aida Gordon, Ryan Benoit
Publisher: Clarkson Potter
ISBN: 9781524760243

Review: A Loyal Heart

A Loyal Heart is Jody Hedlund's four title in her medieval series, An Uncertain Choice. As with her previous stories, it was full of action from beginning to end. The series has ties to her previous books, An Uncertain Choice, A Daring Sacrifice, and For Love and Honor, but it can also be read by itself without previously reading the series. (I would recommend reading the previous titles, because they are so good!)

Her newest YA novel features Aldric, the brother of Sir Bennett from A Loyal Heart. He has been working to rebuild his life after the loss of his wife. He is under the command of Lord Pitt, who sends him to besiege Lady Olivia's castle. Olivia's father and Lord Pitt are enemies, but it goes further than that with a battle of beliefs and loyalty to family, kingdom, and the Lord.

Hedlund captured my attention from chapter one. It was hard to set A Loyal Heart down. I wanted to read it in one sitting! I did forget that this series rotates point of view between characters - one chapter is Aldric's and another chapter is Olivia's. I'm glad Hedlund kept the format she began with book one, An Uncertain Choice. It was an excellent read. I can't wait for her next book. I'm not sure if another story will be added to An Uncertain Choice series, but she has written other amazing stories. I would highly recommend diving into another series, if you haven't picked one up yet!

Reviewed from a review copy.

If you'd like to connect with Jody Hedlund, here's a few places you can connect with her:

Facebook : Author Jody Hedlund
Twitter : @JodyHedlund
Website : jodyhedlund.com
Pinterest : pinterest.com/jodyhedlund
Instagram: @JodyHedlund

Title: A Loyal Heart
Author: Jody Hedlund
Series: Book 04, An Uncertain Choice
ASIN: B0797F1YZC

Review: Daisy Cakes Bakes

One of Kim Nelson's claim to fame is her appearance on ABC's Shark Tank with her baked goods. I honestly had no idea. I picked up this book because this month (March) has Pi Day in it and the cover looked lovely.

The photographs and text layout in the book are well done. Nelson includes recipes on cakes, cupcakes, cookies, bars, confections, frosting, fillings, sauces, pies, fritters, ice creams and puddings. She also includes hints, recipe variations, and recipe pairings. The binding on this book works very well - it remains open when you're looking at a recipe! One cool recipe that I will highlight is "Make Your Own Pan Grease." Why buy a can of spray oil when you can whisk some up at home? Thanks, Kim Nelson for sharing your love of cooking, a little piece of your family history, and sweet treats!

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

Title: Daisy Cakes Bakes
Author: Kim Nelson
Publisher: Clarkson Potter
ISBN: 9780451499417

Review: The Ladies of Ivy Cottage

The Ladies of Ivy Cottage is the second installment in Julie Klassen's series Tales from Ivy Hill. If you are picking up this book before reading book one, The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill, I would recommend setting it down and getting your hands on the first installment. The story's focus shifts from the The Bell Inn to Ivy Cottage. The characters of Ivy Hill appear in both books and it's a story worth savoring.

I took my time reading this book. I didn't want it to end and I wanted to follow all the characters and their lives in the book. The characters from book one appear in book two with new people arriving in Ivy Hill. Perhaps not new the town, but new to the main characters in the story. Mysteries arrive with some being solved and others remaining unsolved. Klassen kept the feel of an excellent BBC or PBS television show well. Every chapter felt like an episode. I want to re-read this book all ready and I cannot wait for book three, The Bride of Ivy Green, which is coming out in December 2018.


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

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





Reviewed from an author gift copy. Thank you, Julie Klassen!!

Title: The Ladies of Ivy Cottage
Series: Book 2, Tales from Ivy Hill
Author: Julie Klassen
Release Date: December 5, 2017
ISBN: 9780764218156

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