Snow on the Tulips - Liz Tolsma

This is a new author for me and I was drawn to the time period and the location.  I won't get into why I'm so fond of the WWII books, you can find my reasons in one of my Sarah Sundin reviews.

Gerrit has survived his own execution, but he is gravely wounded.  Searching for help, he knows that people's fear of the Nazi's could prevent anyone from assisting him.  He is part of the Dutch Resistance and will do everything he can to recover and get back to doing his part against the Germans.

Cornelia is hiding her brother from having to assist the Germans, but Gerrit's presence puts that in jeopardy.  There is only one hiding place in her house and it is reserved for her brother.  She's already lost her husband to the Nazi's and isn't willing to risk anyone else she loves.

As time passes and Gerrit gets stronger, Cornelia realizes that she is starting to care about Gerrit, but doesn't want to risk her heart again.  Even though she doesn't want to get involved, circumstances force her hand and she comes face to face with her fears.

This was a really good book.  The characters are based on a real story and I have a great respect for the author for taking a piece of history and memorializing it for future generations.  We take for granted the sacrifices made for our freedom, and the stories of WWII are fading fast.  Since this book takes place during the war, there is heartbreak and death.  It's not a happily ever after for every character we meet, but don't let that stop you from reading the book.

In May 2014, another book along the same lines, Daisies Are Forever, is due out.  It's about an American in Germany during WWII, but I can't find that it's listed as part of a series.  It's definitely on my watch list.  Snow on the Tulips is a great book and I recommend it.  Good Book!

The Heiress of Winterwood (Whispers on the Moors #1) - Sarah Ladd

As far as I can tell, this is the first release from this author.  I admit that I was drawn to the cover and the title.  The series title, Whispers on the Moors, was also intriguing and I wanted to give the author a chance.

Amelia's close friend has died and entrusted her with the care of her newborn.  Amelia takes care of the baby for the next few months and feels that she is the child's mother. When the child's father comes back from the sea, Amelia is afraid little Lucy will be taken away from her and that is something she is not willing to accept.  Her solution is to propose marriage to the captain, the husband of her late friend.  Her current fiance is not willing to let Lucy stay with them after the marriage and Amelia will not have her inheritance, and no way to support Lucy, if she isn't married.  The solution to marry the captain seems her only solution.

Captain Graham Sterling is not so sure about that.  Feeling he failed his wife and child, he isn't as willing to quickly agree to her plan, leaving Amelia nervous about her future. When Graham witnesses Amelia's fiance showing his true colors, he knows he can't possibly abandon her to that fate.  After her family finds out about their plans to marry, things start going south and they're going to have to work together to make sure things don't spiral out of control.  And when they do, they're going to discover a lot about themselves and each other.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.  It was well written and the characters developed.  I look forward to the next book in the series, The Headmistress of Rosemere, with anticipation.  It tells the story of William, Graham's brother.  We do read a decent amount about his character and issues in this book, but I'll save my judgement on reading them out of order until I read the next one.  Many times, you meet characters in one book and their story is in another, but if the background is well stated, the book can stand alone.  The Headmistress of Rosemere is due out December 31, 2013.  The Heiress of Winterwood gets my Good Book! review.

A Match Made in Texas (novella collection) - Karen Witemeyer, Regina Jennings, Carol Cox and Mary Connealy

Anonymous notes show up around the town of Dry Gulch, Texas, helping women find true love.

A Cowboy Unmatched is by Karen Witemeyer and is the first story.  In it, we get to read about Neill Archer.  He has three other brothers and you can read about two of them in Short-Straw Bride and Stealing the Preacher.  In this novella, we read how Neill has been traveling around trying to make the money to buy his own ranch and prove himself.  Clara is pregnant, alone and needs a friend.  Her no-good husband is dead and her father-in-law is determined to take the baby from her.  Clara is going to have to decide whether she trusts Neill enough to save her baby and her heart.  Good story, Witemeyer is a great writer and I always enjoy her books.

An Unforeseen Match by Regina Jennings is up next.  I’ve read Sixty Acres and a Bride in the past and enjoyed her writing style.  Grace has a disease that is slowly taking away her sight.  Now that she can no longer teach, the school board has purchased Clara’s old ranch to give Grace a place to live.  Clayton is a scarred man on his way to the land rush in Oklahoma when his horse dies and he’s stuck in Dry Gulch.  Clayton challenges Grace to try and be more independent.  He is able to be himself since he believes she can’t see the huge scar that mars his face.  As time passes and it gets closer to the time for Clayton to leave, he imagines that maybe he can be the man Grace needs.  Will misunderstandings keep them apart?  Great story, flowed well with the first one.

Next up is No Match for Love by Carol Cox.  I’ve read Love in Disguise and Trouble in Store in the past.  In this story, Lucy takes a job looking after Andrew’s aunt.  It seems that his aunt is seeing cows jumping over the moon.  The aunt isn’t happy about her nephew arranging a nursemaid for her, but Lucy’s circumstances compel the woman to give her a chance.  The sightings don’t stop and once Lucy sees the strange sight, will they be able to convince Andrew that they’re not crazy and find out the truth?  This story was cute and a nice little read.

Finally we have Meeting Her Match by Mary Connealy.  My only previous experience with this author was with the book Out of Control.  Hannah has been taking care of everyone around her for a long time.  When her mother dies unexpectedly, Hannah takes her place running the household.  She is resigned to a spinster life, but her father remarries and basically kicks her out of the house.  Mark has admired Hannah from afar for many years but is completely tongue-tied around her and gives her the impression he’s not interested in her.  The end conversation was a little weird at times, but all in all it was a good ending to a neat book.

Overall, I liked this book and thought it flowed well and each author’s contribution was well written.  Good Book!

*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Miss Merriweather's Marriage (Short story prequel - The Secret Lives of Will Tucker) - Kathleen Y'Barbo

I saw this short story was up for free and decided this was going to be the best way to test and see if I liked the author's writing style.

Millicent is in Georgia with her family.  It seems that her parents and even her brother are on the lookout for her groom.  She, on the other hand, hasn't given anyone a chance in a long time and doesn't plan on going along with their schemes.

Winthrop is an unusual man who catches her eye, but she's not sure what to make of him. When he shows an interest in who she really is, Millicent has to re-evaluate her plans.

This story is a prequel to the author's series, The Secret Lives of Will Tucker.  The story was even shorter than I thought, consisting of four chapters: The Race, The Chase, The Hunt and The Capture.  The story takes up 3/4 of the book and the remainder is a preview of the first book in the series, Flora's Wish.  The second book in the series is called Millie's Treasure.  The final book, which is due out February 2014, is called Sadie's Secret.

The series looks interesting and I'm going to put it on my watch list.  It looks to involve the Pinkerton's and a criminal named Will Tucker.  This story was very short, making it hard to make a fully informed decision, but the characters were entertaining enough and I look forward to reading more.  Good Short Story!

The Icecutter's Daughter (Land of Shining Water #1) - Tracie Peterson

Tracie Peterson is a great author.  The only issue I end up having is that some of her series make it so that you have to read the whole series to get any closure to the story. This series isn't like that and I was glad to get to read the first book.

Merrill has grown up in a household full of men.  She's been taking care of her father and brothers since her mother's death and not giving much thought to her own future.  When a new man comes to town, he catches her eye, but some of the things she overhears makes her doubt his character.

Rurik has come to Minnesota to help out his uncle who is severely ill.  He is fond of Merrill, but his former fiance shows up in town and now Rurik has another problem.  She wants to reinstate their engagement and she is willing to cook up lies to make that happen.  Rurik wants Merrill to believe in him, but even if she does, will anyone else believe his innocence?

This book was a great read.  You get a glimpse into the life of an icecutter and also the custom furniture business.  The characters are well developed and the story interesting. Book 2 is called The Quarryman's Bride and the third title is The Miner's Lady.  This story is stand alone, which is important to me.  Both the other titles are on my watch list and I hope to read them sometime in the future.  Good Book!

When Love Calls (The Gregory Sisters #1) - Lorna Seilstad

I really enjoyed this author's first series, Lake Manawa Summers, and was happy to see that she had started another one.  The Lake Manawa series consists of Making Waves, A Great Catch and Ride of Her Life.  This new series is about three sisters who rely on each other to make their dreams come true.

Hannah has given up her dream of becoming an attorney so that she can take care of her sisters after her parents' death.  Unable to keep their family home, Hannah is forced to enroll as a switchboard operator at the telephone company.

Lincoln feels guilty he was sent to tell the Gregory sisters that they have to move out of their home and tries to make it up to them.  At first, Hannah is resistant but slowly warms to him.  When Hannah's friend is arrested for arson, Lincoln takes the case to help out.

Hannah is wary of a relationship with Lincoln since he has aspirations of politics.  She feels that she won't fit into that world and holds him at arm's length.  Working on her friend's case with Lincoln makes her wonder if she'll be able to be herself and also have a relationship.

This was a good start to the series and I look forward to reading more.  The next book, While Love Stirs, is due out May 2014 and is the story of the middle sister, Charlotte, the sister who enjoys cooking.  I'll be on the lookout for that book and the one about Tessa. Good Book!

The Lawman Claims His Bride (Charity House #4) - Renee Ryan

This book is one of those smaller, Harlequin-like, books that are good, clean fun.  When I saw it up for free, I decided to give it a shot.  This was also a new author for me.

Logan is a U.S. Marshal.  After 5 years he is on his way back to claim Megan as his bride. Unfortunately, she is in a jail cell, suspected of murder.  The problem is that she has lost her memory and can't remember what happened.  Determined to find the truth, Logan feels the need to take Megan away from Denver and to the safety of his family's farm.  To do that without a chaperon, they decide to get married.

Megan is frustrated about the memory loss, but she also has these unexplained fears about her husband.  He has done nothing but treat her with respect and kindness and she vows to make the marriage work.  Even if that means proving to Logan that he needs her just as much as he thinks she needs him.  He's trying a little too hard to try and protect her and she's trying to figure out how to prove she's not a fragile vase.

This book was about what I expected.  I had the killer figured out early which made the ending a little anticlimactic for me.  The characters were nice enough and it appears that this book is part of a series.  The Charity House series consists of The Marshal Takes a Bride, Hannah's Beau, Loving Bella, The Lawman Claims His Bride, Charity House Courtship, The Outlaw's Redemption, and Finally a Bride.  If they popped up for free, I would pick them up, this one was a nice little read.  Good Book!

Twice Promised (Blue Willow Brides #2) - Maggie Brendan

After reading Deeply Devoted, the first book in the series, I was looking forward to the next one.  Once I got started, though, I ended up dealing with holidays and headaches and wasn't able to finish it as quickly as I wanted to.

In this book, we get to read about Greta, who is the sister of Catharine, the heroine in the first book.  Greta has lost the love of her life and has now decided that she'll try becoming a mail-order bride.  It worked out for her sister, so why shouldn't she give it a shot?  The last name of the man she agrees to marry attracts her interest, as it is the same as her deceased fiance.  She's hoping that he might be a cousin or other relation.

When she arrives in Colorado, she finds out that not only is the groom unaware of the situation, but his brother, who was the real author of the letters, has asked two women to come and basically interview to be the bride for his brother.  The women have become friends and agree to give the situation a month to work itself out.

Jess has agreed to give his brother's idea a chance, but only if his brother agrees to court the woman that he doesn't.  When his brother agrees, they use an unusual method of choosing who courts whom.  The problem arises when no one seems to fall in love with who they are supposed to.  Afraid to hurt anyone's feelings, everyone chooses secrecy when a little honesty would go a long way!

This book has the secrets of the previous book, but it was more amusing this time.  The way everyone tiptoed around each other, especially the brothers, was funny.  The only problem I had with the book was that Greta never even considers the possibility that her fiance could have been the brother that Jess lost.  While she believes that her fiance's family was in Wyoming, when she finds out about the death, she's not even curious about his name.

The next book in the series is about Anna, whom we see a small glimpse of in the first two books.  While Catharine and Peter are mentioned a few times, I believe it would be possible to read these out of order and not be disappointed.  The final book, Perfectly Matched, came out in October.  I've got it on my watch list and hope to read it in the future!  Good Book!

Sabrina's Man (Western Justice #2) - Gilbert Morris

Recently I had the opportunity to read the first book in this series, Rosa's Land.  While it wasn't my favorite book, I wanted to give the series another chance.

Waco is a criminal.  He has been betrayed by the woman he loved and his best friend.  While he is off to war, they run off together and take everything he had.  Bitter by the treatment, he ends up on the wrong path and eventually in jail.

Sabrina is a spoiled young woman who feels that she is in control of everything.  When her sister starts to show interest in a man the family disapproves of, Sabrina puts off dealing with it until it's too late.  Now her sister is gone and Sabrina will do whatever it takes to get her sister back, even if it means teaming up with a criminal like Waco.

I found that this book followed the formula of the first book.  We learn about the back story of the characters long before they meet.  In this book, Waco and Sabrina don't even meet until after halfway through.  To me, this makes the book a little too unbalanced for me and it almost feels like two stories that happen to come together later on.

I wanted to like this book, I really did.  Even after being prepared ahead of time that the story might be similar to the first book, I was somewhat disappointed.  In the end, this series just isn't for me and I'm sorry for it.  This book can be read as a standalone.  The third book in this series, Raina's Choice, is due out June 2014.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Deadly Devotion (Port Aster Secrets #1) - Sandra Orchard

This was a new author for me.  It wasn't free, but it sounded interesting and I wanted to give it a chance.

Kate's good friend has died.  The police has ruled the death a suicide, but Kate knows that her friend's faith in God would have prevented her from taking her own life. Determined to clear her friend's name, Kate goes to the police station to demand that they reopen the case and find the killer.

Tom came back to Canada to be near his father.  Also, his job in the FBI while in the states wasn't something that he wants to talk about.  His partner chose the wrong woman and it cost him his life.  Tom thinks that he could have prevented it and feels guilty.

Kate goes around town snooping where she doesn't belong and getting herself into lots of trouble.  Her wariness of the police doesn't prevent her from becoming friends with Tom and spending time with his family.  Their friendship is tested and the trust they are building is shattered.  Even though she's mad at Tom, she needs his help to catch the killer.

All in all, these characters reminded me of the dog in the movie Up.  Every time they found a clue, they immediately abandoned whatever they were doing and pursued it.  It was a total "squirrel!" moment.  The information on the herbs and poisons was pretty interesting and overall the book was okay.  The second book in the series, Blind Trust, is due out next June.  The fact that I didn't really look forward to picking this book up to read it tells me all I need to know.  The book isn't bad, this series just isn't for me.

A River to Cross - Yvonne Harris

In the past, I was able to read another book by this author, A Vigilante's Bride, and enjoyed it.  Apparently, I read it before I started my blog.  I was able to get this book for free.  It isn't part of a series.

Elizabeth is living near the Mexican border in Texas.  Her brother is a newspaper editor and has been covering the unrest in Mexico.  Angered at the articles, some of the people he is talking about track him down at a courthouse and kill him.  In the chaos, one of the men kidnaps Elizabeth and takes her back to Mexico.

Jake, a Texas Ranger, receives word that there has been some trouble and heads back to discover his friend dead and goes on a quest to rescue Elizabeth.  Technically, they aren't supposed to go across the river to Mexico, but they take the chance and do their best to get Elizabeth back to safety in Texas.  Along the way, they are helped by unlikely friends and end up learning about each other.

Elizabeth doesn't want to feel anything for Jake.  Since her Army husband died three years ago, she has sworn not to fall in love with someone with that kind of dedication again.  The prospect of pain is something she plans to avoid.  But the more time she spends with Jake, the more she observes the many layers that make up the man and is intrigued by what she sees.

I did like this book.  It was a quick, easy read and a good pick for a dreary day.  If there was anything that bothered me, it would probably be the integration of little tidbits by the villains of the book.  I felt they were a bit unnecessary and since they were so short, they were kind of tacked on and didn't really add anything.    At this time, I don't see anything on the horizon but would like to read more of this author.  Overall, I I liked this book and give it a Good Book! review.

Rosa's Land (Western Justice #1) - Gilbert Morris

While looking at the current freebies, I was surprised that this one by Gilbert Morris had almost slipped by me.  This year was the first time I had read this popular Christian author. I started with the first two books in the Lady Trent Mysteries: The Mermaid in the Basement and A Conspiracy of Ravens.  I'm still waiting patiently for the last one in that series, Sonnet to a Dead Contessa.  Rosa's Land sounded like something that I would like to read and picked it up.

Lafayette (Faye) has been influenced since childhood by his mother.  Where his brothers are tough businessmen, Faye is gentle and a painter.  When he tries to come to the aid of a woman in distress, he is beaten badly and has to have someone come to his aid.  On the way to a painting lesson, he becomes a hero in the eyes of a young woman.  He feels drawn to her, but she isn't really interested in tainting Faye's pure spirit.  After much thought, Faye decides that he's going to prove to himself that he can take care of himself. He decides to go out west and be a marshal.

Rosa has been working in a saloon to try and make ends meet for her family.  Her father has been ill for a long time.  When her uncle shows up and tells the family that Rosa's grandfather wants them to come live with him, it gives them a way to escape their situation, but they are going to have to fight to keep what they have.  After a deadly encounter, Rosa heads to the fort to ask for help, but all the judge gives her is a man who is clearly out of his depth.  She's not impressed and sets out to prove to Faye that he doesn't belong.

While the story was good overall, I felt like it was a bit unbalanced.  A lot of time was spent on Faye's development regarding his initial love interest and time in the wild, but the end seemed to suffer for it and seemed a little rushed.  Rosa doesn't even appear in the book until Part Two and so I was kind of wondering where she was in the beginning.  I think that the final showdown could have been much better if the amount of depth matched that of the beginning of the book.

The next book in this series, Sabrina's Man, is due out in December.  The third book is called Raina's Choice and is set to come out June 2014.  Sabrina's Man doesn't center around any characters that were in this first book.  All in all, it was a pretty good read. Decent Book!

Shadows of the Canyon (Desert Roses #1) - Tracie Peterson

This book popped up for free and I was intrigued.  Tracie Peterson is a great writer and I enjoy her books.  After reading a few pages, I realized I was reading about the Harvey Girls, a topic I have read about in the past.  I did a little searching and found I was correct. Peterson has written another series about the Harvey Girls called Westward Chronicles, which consists of three books: A Shelter of Hope, Hidden in a Whisper, and A Veiled Reflection.

Alex is a Harvey Girl and has been working at the resort for four years.  Most of the Harvey restaurants are designed to get people in and out in a short amount of time, but this one at the Grand Canyon is more about luxury and enjoyment.  Embarrassed by her father's adulterous behavior, she wishes he would go away.  When Senator Winthrop brings a party of people, her problems grow.

Luke has been in love with Alex for quite some time, but she only sees him as a friend. Her view of men has been affected by her father's treatment of her and she feels that all men are the same.  Bundling Luke into that category is a little unfair, but Alex has to realize that on her own.  One of the Winthrop party has taken a liking to Luke and he can't seem to get rid of her.

These two get into a lot of trouble.  Winthrop's assistant is willing to do anything, and I mean anything, to make sure the senator gets into the White House and has no conscience.  He uses anyone and everyone to accomplish that goal and eliminates anyone who gets in his way.  Alex'a mother arrives on the scene and now the stakes have been raised when Alex and her mother are not only threatened by Winthrop's assistant but also by Alex's own father.

I enjoyed this book.  I found Alex to be a little heartless at times when she would prejudge Luke and have no faith in him.  She eventually learns the difference but what will she do about the danger surrounding herself and others at the hotel?  Book 2 is called Across the Years and book 3 is called Beneath a Harvest Sky.  Looking at the main characters in book 2, it appears that it doesn't have a significant connection to this book and can be read as a standalone or out of order.  Good Book!

For Love or Loyalty (The MacGregor Legacy #1) - Jennifer Hudson Taylor

In the past, I have read Highland Blessings and Highland Sanctuary.  Since I enjoyed both those books, I was glad to be given the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this, the first in the author's new series, The MacGregor Legacy.

In Scotland 1760, Malcolm returns to his village to find that the clan who hates his family, the Campbells, have attacked people and kidnapped his mother and sister and sent them to the colonies to be sold as indentured servants.  In retaliation, he decides to take Lauren, the clan leader's daughter, to America and exchange her for his family.

Lauren tries to look at Malcolm the way God does.  She cares about the fate of Malcolm's mother and sister almost as much as he does and she proves it with her actions.  From the moment they are thrown together, they seem drawn to one another.  Malcolm comes to regret his plan and vows to find another way to release his mother and sister while proving his devotion to Lauren.

I can't believe how much I liked this book.  I had to force myself to put it down to save my eyes, but still finished it in two days.  While things are nicely wrapped up at the end, there are plans for more to the series.  Next March, book 2 is due out called For Love or Country.  The setting of this book is about 20 years after the first one, making it a safe bet that the books can stand alone. That is my favorite type of series.  Book 3 is due out October 2014 and is called For Love or Liberty.  I am looking forward to reading both of them. Good Book!

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Measure of Katie Calloway (Michigan Northwoods #1) - Serena B. Miller

This entire series has me a little confused.  This book is listed as book 1 in an unnamed series.  A few weeks ago, I finished what is labeled book 3, A Promise to Love.  The book listed as book 2, Under a Blackberry Moon, just came out in October.  It's very odd to come across an unnamed series written out of order, but we'll see how it goes.

Katie has had enough.  Her husband, Harlan, is an abusive man who has escalated since the South lost the Civil War.  Finding a trap meant to kill Katie, she takes her young brother and runs away.  Avoiding her family in Pennsylvania, she heads for Michigan and takes a job as a cook in a lumber camp.  The owner, Robert, is an honorable man whom she respects a great deal and becomes fond of.

Robert saw enough carnage during the war that he has vowed to never operate on anyone again.  He now tries to earn his living during the lumber season and clearing enough land to make it from one year to the next.  Finding a unique soul in Katie, he is drawn to her spirit and heart.  She has enough care to share with everyone in the camp, but Robert knows that there is a secret around Katie.

This was a good book and I really liked it a lot.  I liked the amount of research that the author put into the story and appreciated that I wasn't hit over the head with it.  I wished there had been more facts that had inspired the author in the back, but the little that was there was interesting.  The thing I love about historical fiction is the truths that would be lost if someone doesn't make sure they aren't forgotten.

I understand how Under a Blackberry Moon ended up being labeled book 2, the characters are prominent in book 1, but I'm not quite sure how they ended up published out of order.  I was glad to see the characters that book 2 surrounds, because I was wondering what happened to Moon Song and Skypilot.  I'm not sure about reading book 1 and 2 out of order.  I think it will depend on how much background we get in Under a Blackberry Moon.  I believe that it is safe to read book 1 and 3 out of order.  I look forward to finishing out the series in the future.  Good Book!

Serendipity (Only in Gooding #5) - Cathy Marie Hake

This particular series has been a joy and also interesting to try and keep track of.  In certain places, the series is referred to as Texas Historical series and in others it's called Only in Gooding.  The books that make up Only in Gooding are: Fancy Pants, Forevermore, Whirlwind, That Certain Spark, and Serendipity.  This author also has another series, California Historical series, which consists of Letter Perfect and Bittersweet.  Now I've been able to read all except for That Certain Spark and Bittersweet. They're still on my watch list and I look forward to reading them one day.

In this book, we start out in Carver Hollow, where Maggie lives with her uncle and a group of ragtag men who carve wood and come to her house for meals.  Her life consists of bartering her treasures with people and preserving her traditions.

On his way back to Texas, Todd's mother becomes ill and he is forced to get off the train and seek help.  He ends up on Maggie's doorstep.  She's the only healer in the area and Todd is wary of her skills at first.  He soon comes to see her as a capable cook and caregiver.  Since he is barely able to keep his farm running, his mother's condition is going to require some extra help and he now looks on Maggie as a solution to his problems.

While both Todd and his mother are accepting of Maggie at first, that quickly changes. Once it's made known that Todd plans to wed her and bring her back with them, Todd's mother begins her verbal assault of everything that makes Maggie who she is.  Once they get to Texas and Todd sees the extent of what Maggie has brought with her, he begins to try and change her.  As she tries to help out with her superior bartering skills, she has to deal with Todd's disapproval and his mother's bitter tongue.

While I liked the book overall, I'm not sure I was happy about it.  Let's just say that you'd be hard pressed to find anyone less likable in the book than Todd's mother.  I wasn't a real fan of Todd for most of the book either.  The mother acted like a donkey while her son had the brains of one!  Being the last of the series, it was a nice standalone as well as giving you a peek at some of the other characters in the previous books.

This was a nice read.  I would have had it finished sooner had real life not gotten in the way! This author has become one that I look forward to reading. Her style has a lighthearted humor that had me smiling at some points in the book.  I also felt some pain in this one. Maggie deals with a lot and my eyes misted over once or twice.  That woman is a saint!  Good Book!

Where Willows Grow (Heart of the Prairie #10) - Kim Vogel Sawyer

This was my last book in this series that I needed to read.  I did pick and choose to some degree and enjoyed most of them.  The ones I skipped are about the Mennonites, and personally I am not overly fond of that genre of fiction.  The complete list is:
1. Waiting for Summer's Return
2. Where the Heart Leads
3. A Promise for Spring
4. Fields of Grace
5. A Hopeful Heart
6. Courting Miss Amsel
7. A Whisper of Peace
8. Song of My Heart
9. A Home in Drayton Valley
10. Where Willows Grow.

Harley has been working hard to keep his farm going through a never-ending drought. Desperate to provide for his family, he decides to sell the mules and take a job elsewhere in Kansas building a castle.  He loves his wife but sees her growing discontent with her lot in life and wants to prove himself to her.  They are both stubborn and argue before he leaves.

While he is gone, both of them have a change of heart regarding the way they left things and want to make amends.  Unfortunately, the neighbor that Harley asked to help his wife out has been hopelessly in love with her since they were children.  Seeing this as an opportunity to gain what he wants, Jack goes to any measure he finds necessary to keep the two of them apart.

I did like this book, although I was irritated with Anna Mae at the beginning of the book. She is upset that Harley is leaving and didn't consult her.  Instead of trying to talk about the problem, she acts like a spoiled child and gives him the silent treatment.  Other than that, they both come to realize that it is best to make sure you don't leave things unsaid. Anna especially learns this lesson when a man from another town brings news of the castle project.  And all I can say about Jack is he is a bad, bad man!

The concept of the castle was unusual and I had the feeling that it was based on fact.  I looked it up online and there is a castle in Lindsborg, Kansas.  The place is called Coronado Heights Park.  I waited to find out a little bit about it at the end, but all I saw were dedications from the author.  I enjoy when authors incorporate truth like this, I just wish there had been a bit about it at the end of the book.  Likable characters, good story line - Good Book!

The Tutor's Daughter - Julie Klassen

I've come to look forward to reading books written by Julie Klassen.  So far, I've been able to read The Silent Governess, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, and Lady of Milkweed Manor. I really liked all of those so it was an easy choice to pick this one up.

Emma helps her father who runs a school teaching young men.  Since her mother died, Emma has noticed his declining devotion to his work.  Hoping to get some business, she writes to a family that had sent two of their sons, one a trouble-maker and the other a friendly young man, to encourage the family to entrust their other two sons.  Instead of sending their sons, the family invites Emma and her father to reside at the house and teach the boys.  Thinking the change of scenery might be beneficial for her father's spirits, they agree to make the journey.  They aren't at the house long before strange things begin to happen to Emma.

Henry regrets his pestering of the tutor's daughter and notices how she's grown up. Unfortunately, it seems like his stepmother would never approve and his younger brother, Philip, appears to have his eyes on Emma anyway.  Henry is wrapped up in family secrets and knowing that strange things are happening to Emma causes him additional worry.

This story has the gothic elements of Jane Eyre with the midnight mysteries in Emma's room and other parts of the house, but it also has the two brothers fighting for Emma's heart.  One brother seems to be more substance than she thought and the other has all the appearance of substance but doesn't quite live up to it.  As with her other books, I really enjoyed this book.  Next up is The Dancing Master, due out in December.  I'm already tracking it!  Good Book!

Outlaw - Ted Dekker

If you've read any of my reviews of Ted Dekker novels in the past, you'll know that he is my favorite author.  There isn't much that he's written that I didn't enjoy and after reading the four sections to Eyes Wide Open, (Identity, Mirrors, Unseen and Seer) I was looking forward to the next part of The Outlaw Chronicles.

Outlaw begins int he 1960's with a violent storm.  Julian and her infant son are fighting for their lives on board a sailboat until the ship breaks apart.  After the captain dies and the boat sinks, men in a small boat approach Julian and take her out of the water, but it's not necessarily to save her.  Without her child and alone in a world that she can't relate to, she does her best to stay alive.

The things she has to do cause her to doubt God and rail against Him.  As times goes on, she learns that the events of the day of the shipwreck are not exactly the way she believes them to be.  She is made aware of a fact that will turn her life upside down once again, leaving her without bearable options.  Once her eyes are opened, she becomes part of a greater story than she imagined.  I won't go into detail about the second half of the book - I don't want to add spoilers!

The amazing thing about Ted Dekker's books is that there are so many levels to them. You have the story itself, which is always a window to another world, be it real or imagined.  There's also the deeper meanings that Dekker seamlessly adds to his books that can cause the reader to rethink the way they look at the world.  After I finished this book, I went back and read the end of Seer, the end of Eyes Wide Open, and refreshed my memory in regards to Outlaw.

The reason I love Ted Dekker's books so much is that it doesn't matter what the topic is, he has such a great style that he can make it interesting.  I would never dream of picking up a book about a tribe in New Guinea had it been written by any other writer.  He’s just that good.  This book is related to Eyes Wide Open, another great book, but it isn’t necessary to read them in order.  I recommend them both without hesitation.  Great Book!

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Against the Tide - Elizabeth Camden

Elizabeth Camden has become one of the authors that I look forward to reading.  When I pick up one of her books, I know that I'm going to be reading something that is a unique story with great characters.  In the past, I have seen that in The Lady of Bolton Hill, The Rose of Winslow Street, and Into the Whirlwind.  All great books and I was anxious to read this one.

Lydia spent part of her childhood on a boat and the rest of it in an orphanage.  Her knack for languages has landed her a job at the Navy Yard translating things from around the world.  She loves her job and enjoys that everything in her life seems to be in order.  All that changes when she faces losing her home.  She needs to come up with some extra money fast.

Bane likes to mess with Lydia's neat and tidy world.  If he was in a position to be attracted to a woman, it would be Lydia.  Not only does his past prevent him but also the present course of his life.  He was deeply involved in the opium trade and since he became a Christian, he now is on a mission to bring down the trade that he helped establish.  He also has determined to get back at the man who made him into who he used to be.  Since that man is always after Bane, he can't endanger Lydia by letting her into his world.

As with her other books, I was impressed.  I loved the characters and the originality of the story.  The historical notes at the end opened my eyes to some of the ways the opium trade affected so many lives, especially children.  I don't see anything else on the horizon from Camden, but I'll definitely be on the look-out.  Good Book!

A Promise to Love (Michigan Northwoods #3) - Serena B. Miller

As far as I can tell, this is the first time I have read this author.  On amazon, this book is listed as book #3, but I can't find evidence of what series it is referring to.  I did, however, make the connection that this book follows The Measure of Katie Calloway.  It seems that the characters in that book make an appearance in this book, but after realizing who they were, their role in this book is small enough that reading this out of order isn't a big deal.

In this book, Ingrid has come from Sweden to meet her twin brother, Hans, and make a new life in Michigan.  When her brother doesn't write, Ingrid begins to think that something has happened to him and now has to make her own way.  Unfortunately, she has ended up in the employ of a spoiled woman who abuses Ingrid and punishes her repeatedly. Fed up, Ingrid leaves and is now looking for another way to provide for herself.

Joshua Hunter's wife has just died mysteriously.  His in-laws are blaming him for her death, claiming that he must have poisoned her.  At the inquest, he is absolved of responsibility of his wife's death, but the in-laws push the case that he is unable to provide for the children.  The judge agrees, but Ingrid has seen kindness in Joshua and offers to be a mother to the children.  Feeling like this is the only way he can keep his children, he agrees to a marriage.  As time passes, Joshua tries to tell himself that he will never love anyone again, but time and unknown details might just change his mind.

I really enjoyed this book and ate it up.  I found Ingrid to be a great character and her plan for bringing Bertie back home, based on true events, was amusing.  The amount of research and true events that was weaved into the story was great and I'm happy to say that I've found myself a new author.  I've got The Measure of Katie Calloway already waiting on my Kindle.  Had I known it came before this one, I would have read it first.  Also, the author has written some Amish novels, which I'm not a fan of, but has released another book, Under the Blackberry Moon, just today.  It's on my watch list and I look forward to reading more.  Good Book!

Bourne (River of Time 3.1) & Tributary (River of Time 3.2) - Lisa T. Bergren

These two are novellas that are meant to be read after the River of Time series: Waterfall, Cascade and Torrent.  Make sure you have read this series BEFORE you dive into these novellas - you'll have no clue what's going on if you don't.

In Bourne, we pick up where Torrent left off.  Men are wounded from battle and there is a new threat to the Betarrinis and those they have come to love.  Lia still doesn't quite feel like she belongs but knows she won't be going back.

Tributary was my favorite story of the two.  Alessandra has gotten a head wound while out hunting.  Lia and Gabi know that they have no choice but to take her back to their castello even though it is obvious that this girl has come from their enemies.  As Alessandra heals, she comes to realize that everything she believes is not as black and white as she first thought.

I really loved this series and these two novellas.  Finding some closure for Lia, Luca and Rodolfo was nice although not everything is wrapped up in a neat little bow.  It has been over two years since I read the River of Time series, but there were enough reminders to help me remember what had been going on - great job by the author on that one!  You still have those moments where the "teen" aspect of the book shines through in the language.  For me, it sort of broke up the flow but it wasn't bad enough to change my opinion of the stories.

These are available separately, but I recommend you buy them together for two reasons. The first is that it is cheaper to buy them together.  They are $2.99 separately and $3.99 together.  For some, the difference is minimal, but when you buy/read as many books as I do, every little bit helps.  The second reason is that both stories are definitely worth reading and you'd be missing out by only reading one.  Great Series!  Great Novellas!

A Home in Drayton Valley (Heart of the Prairie #9) - Kim Vogel Sawyer

I've been reading through this series, picking out the ones I thought sounded interesting. The ones I've read so far are Waiting for Summer's Return, A Promise for Spring, A Hopeful Heart, Courting Miss Amsel and Song of My Heart.

Tarsie is a young, independent woman who is trying to make ends meet.  Her best friend, Mary, has been sick for quite some time and when Tarsie finds a book telling about the ideal place to live: Drayton Valley, Kansas.  She wants to get Mary out of the unhealthy air in New York and get to the cleaner air in Kansas.  It will also get Mary's children to a better place to grow up and Mary's husband, Joss, away from liquor.

Joss grew up with a father who was always angry and drank all the time.  He loves Mary and is devastated when he realizes how sick she really is.  He starts to wonder if she will even get to see Kansas.  As she's dying, Mary asks Tarsie to take care of her children but also Joss.  Tarsie's not so sure she can do it, but she vows to try.

This was an interesting read, but I must say it was a little depressing at times.  Tarsie does her best to show God's love to Joss, but he treats her with indifference and plans to leave first chance he gets.  The way he treats his children is the way he was treated even though he vowed not to become like his father.  At the end of the day, it was a good book about how anyone can turn their life around and I enjoyed it. I've got one more to read from this series, Where Willows Grow, and I look forward to reading it soon.  Good Book!

Betrayal (Where the Heart Lives #2) -- Robin Lee Hatcher

Almost a year ago, I read Belonging, the first book in this series.  At that time, I couldn't find any more information about the series and was disappointed.  Little did I know that the series moved on without me! This series is about three siblings that were separated on the orphan train.  Now they are working their way back to each other.  The first book was about Felicia.

Hugh is on his way to find his sister, Felicia.  On the way, his horse comes up lame and he ends up at the ranch owned by Julia.  Hugh keeps to himself, but he feels that Julia is hiding just as much as he is.  As he comes to feel for her, he holds back the details of his past.  People judge him by it even though he knows he is a new man in Christ.  Even knowing that, he has learned it is better to be on his own than risk the pain of betrayal.

Julia doesn't really miss her husband.  When he was alive, he abused her and punished her for not giving him a child.  It's not in her nature to be trusting, but she asks Hugh to stay and help her get the cattle to market.  When he agrees, she also decides to hold back.  She feels that her past will push away any feelings Hugh might have growing for her.

This was a nice short read and I enjoyed it.  The final book in the series, Beloved, just came out at the end of September and I have it on my watch list.  I hope to find out what happened to Diana very soon.  Good Book!

Rock Harbor Search and Rescue: Lost and Found - Colleen Coble

After reading the first book in this series, Rock Harbor Search and Rescue, and knowing that my daughter enjoyed it, it was a no-brainer to pick this one up.

We pick up where we left off with Emily, but it’s not to the point you feel like you’re missing something if you haven’t read the first book.  I think that’s important, especially with series written for the younger crowd.  Emily is faced with a whole new set of problems and tries to solve them all on her own again.

Her best friend, Olivia, discovers that she has been adopted and the girls go about trying to find out why Olivia’s parents have never told her.  They can’t ask, because that would ruin a surprise anniversary party, so they enlist the help of a local reporter who has been helpful in the past.

Not only do the girls try to figure out Olivia’s past, Emily’s mother is back in town and wanting to get back in touch with her daughter.  Emily’s not sure she can trust her, but knows that no matter what her mother is planning, God wants her to forgive.  There’s also been a fire at the school and the evidence isn’t quite what it seems.  When her stepmother, Naomi, goes missing, Emily isn’t sure things can get much worse.

I have no issues recommending this series.  It was a nice enjoyable read for me and it definitely doesn’t disappoint.  The action goes right up until the end and I think will keep the kids motivated to read it through.  The only caution I have is that I believe this series would be more appropriate for ages 10 and up.  Amazon has it listed as age 8, but due to content, length and writing style, I think it would be more enjoyable for 10 and up.  Hope to see more in the future!  Good Book!

* I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Unspoken - Dee Henderson

I have read a lot of Dee Henderson's books in the past including the entire O'Malley series.  I've always enjoyed her ability to mix suspense, mystery and romance in a real page-turner.

Bryce is bored.  As a coin dealer, his life has gotten monotonous and he is praying for something to shake up his life.  That prayer is answered in the form of Charlotte.  She appears one night under mysterious circumstances and intrigues Bryce.  She's offering him the opportunity to buy a collection of coins.  If he says no, she's going to open up a coin store right next door and be his direct competition.

As the mystery surrounding Charlotte begins to unravel, Bryce wants to help her with her goals of distributing her grandfather's estate.  Bryce comes to realize that the estate is much more than he imagined.  Charlotte has a troubled past and hasn't said a word about the four years she spent kidnapped.  Even though is has been 18 years, her past is still chasing her.

I hate to say this, but I wasn't very fond of this book.  I had issues getting into the story.  I don't know anything about antique/rare coins and the amount of detail about the coins became too much for me.  There were also random details that I felt could have been left out and made the book easier to read.  It definitely could have been shorter.  I skimmed part of the second half of the book and thought that the suspense at the end was well done, but overall it probably could have lost 50-100 pages and the story wouldn't have been as bogged down with random details. And I still don't like antique coins.  It was just okay.

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A Talent for Trouble (Ladies of Distinction #3) - Jen Turano

In the past, I have been able to read the novella to this series, Gentleman of Her Dreams, and also the first book in the series, A Change of Fortune.  I’ve had the second book, A Most Peculiar Circumstance, on my watch list for quite a while, but haven’t seen a drop in it yet.

Felicia has just had a letdown.  Her secret infatuation with the local reverend, which appears to be no secret at all, has ended with him married to another woman.  For four years, Felicia had altered who she was to try and attract this man’s attentions.  Now that he is gone, Felicia’s mother has seen fit to try and match her up with someone as soon as possible.

Grayson has had a troubled past and has vowed to never marry again.  His past mistakes have made him, in his eyes, unworthy of forgiveness from God and thereby unsuitable as a husband to any young woman.  Problem is, Felicia is both maddening and intriguing at the same time.  While he wants to spare her from his past, saving her from one of the troubles she tends to get into brings his past right to her door.

As with the other books I have read by Jen Turano, this was another great read.  I didn’t feel like I had missed much by having to skip the second book, although mention was made of botched marriage proposals.  Apparently all the men in these books make a mess of their proposals.  Other than that, as long as you realize it’s a happily-ever-after, you’re not going to spoil much by reading them out of order.  I do hope that this series doesn’t follow the usual trilogy format, as we still don’t have resolution for Agatha and I think it would be a great story from a relatively new author.  She’s a great writer and her characters make me smile.  Definitely hope to see more from her!  Good Book!

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Traces of Mercy (Mercy Medallion Trilogy #1) - Michael Landon, Jr. & Cindy Kelley

Anyone who has watched many movies on Hallmark channel has heard of Michael Landon, Jr.  The first movie that comes to my mind is Love Comes Softly.  Seeing that he had written a book had me intrigued.  I hadn’t heard of Cindy Kelley, but it looks like they worked together to release a book back in 2009.  Doesn’t look like something I would read, but this title did.

The beginning of the book grabs you right away.  The Confederate sniper that we meet has an unexpected encounter.  When she loses her memory, all she has are the men’s clothes she is wearing and a medallion.  Since she doesn’t remember her name, the nuns she is staying with call her Mercy.

Rand seems like a knight in shining armor.  He is really interested in Mercy and doesn’t care about her past.  His prominent family is concerned about the consequences should Mercy remember she has a husband and family, but Rand seems to think it’s not an issue.

Elijah meets Mercy at a party and feels like he’s met her before.  When he figures out how he knows her, it could put everything that Mercy has planned for her future at risk.  What will she do to keep her dreams alive and what will it cost her?

This was a real page-turner.  Mercy’s amnesia is frustrating for both the character and the reader.  I couldn’t put the book down and just had to know what was going to happen.  I wanted to know if Mercy would find out who she really was.  Would she remember everything?

I have to warn you that this is a trilogy AND you are left with a major cliffhanger at the end of this book.  If you don’t want to be invested in an entire trilogy, you may want to pass, but I must warn you that you’ll be missing out.  I’m not normally a fan of these types of trilogies, but I’m looking forward to the next title in this series.  Good Book!

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Rock Harbor Search and Rescue - Colleen Coble

In the past, I have read many of Colleen Coble's books.  I saw this one aimed at a younger crowd and decided to give it a shot.  My daughter read it as well.

Having read the Rock Harbor series, I was pleased to see many characters that I had read about in the past including Bree.  She is the head of the Search and Rescue team in Rock Harbor and influences Emily, Naomi's stepdaughter.  Since this book is aimed for the younger crowd, it made sense to make it about Emily and a great choice.

Emily is 14 and loves to create jewelry.  Since being rescued in the forest by Bree's dog, Samson, she has also been wanting to have a puppy of her own to train for SAR.  She helps out Naomi from time to time and feels like she's ready.  After her parents tell her she can have the puppy she desires once she has the money, she decides to sell some of her jewelry pieces at a festival.  While watching a neighboring booth for a while, one of the lady's more expensive pieces goes missing and it seems like most everyone is ready to blame Emily.  Even her own father doubts her innocence and forces her to hand over her puppy money to the lady.

Poor Emily has so much to deal with.  Her birth mother is due to get out of prison early, everyone thinks she is a thief, and her former best friend is being mean to her every chance she gets.  Emily is determined to prove her innocence, but she only has limited time to get together the money before the puppy is scheduled to be sold.  It's up to her and her best friend, Olivia, to find the true culprit.

I think this was a good read and I enjoyed it.  It had me guessing as to the motive and how Emily would be able to find the culprit and clear her name.  It is listed as ages 8 and up, but as the mother of a 9 and almost 11-year-old, I would up that to at least 10 years old.  I base that on the length and the depth of the writing.  Overall, I was glad I read it and look forward to reading the next one, Rock Harbor Search and Rescue: Lost and Found, which is due out October 8.  Good Book!

My daughter's opinion: " I really liked this book.  I was on the edge of my seat or area the whole time. I read it before my mom so HA!  PEACE!"

A Home for My Heart - Anne Mateer

In the past, I have had the opportunity to read Wings of a Dream and At Every Turn.  I enjoyed those and looked forward to reading this one.

Sadie has been at the Raystown Home for Orphan and Friendless Children since she was very young.  As she grew, she felt like she had to make up for her past.  When the opportunity comes up for her to become the matron of the Home, she agrees.  She's been in love with Blaine for many years and hopes that the pay increase will help them gather the money they need to buy property together faster.  The head of the Home can't be married, but Sadie doesn't see this as a problem since she knows that Blaine needs more time to raise the money he needs.

The problem is that Blaine had planned on surprising Sadie with the land that he has just purchased.  When Sadie is told and breaks the news that she has no plans of going back on her word to run the Home, they feel like they have hit an impasse.  In her efforts to forget Blaine, Sadie tries to fill her head with another man, but she just can't shake her feelings for Blaine.  On top of that, her extra responsibilities at the Home are wearing her down.  Will there be a solution to the problems at the Home as well as her relationship with Blaine?

This was a fairly decent read, but there weren't any surprises.  It was a well written book, but the story line is predictable. I got a little annoyed at the way Sadie treated Blaine over and over again.  While I could appreciate the moral inserted of God's timing being perfect, it didn't end up being one of my favorite books.  It was still a decent read and I'll still be on the lookout for more from this author.  Decent Book!

*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley through the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

A Whisper of Peace (Heart of the Prairie #7)

I've been working my way through this series, picking and choosing the ones that interest me.  I've been able to read Waiting for Summer's Return, A Promise for Spring, A Hopeful Heart, Courting Miss Amsel, and Song of My Heart.  This series is easily read out of order for the most part.

Lizzie has been excommunicated from her tribe in Alaska.  Now that her mother is dead, she is determined to fulfill her mother's last wish to make peace with her grandmother and then go find her father in San Francisco.

Clay and his stepsister, Vivian, have come to Alaska to bring God's Word to the people. While he is intrigued by Lizzie, visiting with her could jeopardize everything he is attempting to accomplish in the village.  Standing up for himself and the woman he is coming to care about is going to test both of them.

Vivian is fighting her own demons.  Her mother and stepfather doubt her ability to help her brother.  They think that she's too fragile and at times she can tell Clay feels the same way.  Determined to prove herself and pay for her past "sins," she befriends Lizzie where the two learn from each other.

This was a good read.  I was mildly disappointed with the end where too much time had passed with events that I felt warranted explanation.  The acceptance by the grandmother of Lizzie and Clay could have used some depth and I just didn't understand Vivian's short explanation of what had happened to her.  Ideally, I believe it could have been another book, but overall this was an entertaining read.  Good Book!

Lovelier than Daylight (The Saddler's Legacy #3) - Rosslyn Elliott

I bought this one quite some time ago and have just given up hope of reading these in order.  Back in May, I was able to read Fairer than Morning, the first book and was happy with it.

Susanna is the niece of Will and Ann, whose story we heard back in the first book.  She is on her way to Westerville to attend college at Otterbein.  On her way there, she stops to check on her sister and family only to find the house deserted.  Her worry turns to despair when she learns that her sister is missing and the children have been sent to the orphanage.

Johann works for his father brewing beer.  While his passion lies in writing for the newspaper, he feels a dedication to his father.  He meets Susanna, but they are instantly at odds when she discovers his profession.  Having seen the effects of strong drink first hand, she tries to hold her feelings at bay even while she tries to find a way of freeing the children and finding her sister.  A saloon in Westerville brings an opportunity for both sides to show what they're made of.

I'm not sure why, but I wasn't as pleased as I normally would be to see the characters of the previous book old and not as spry as they were the first time I read about them.  I also found out more than I wanted to about Ben, the subject of book 2.

Overall, this book didn't appeal to me as much as the first one.  I took the second book off my watch list and finished this one feeling indifferent.  I missed the saddle-making, there was very little of it in there.  Susanna was one of those characters that was self-righteous and irritated me with the way she treated Johann.  The man treated her with patience and grace, only making me dislike Susanna more.  While I wanted to like the book, I grew up in Columbus, I found it lacking.  In the end, I just can't recommend it.

Skip Rock Shallows - Jan Watson

The summary for this book interested me, so I picked it up.  As far as I can tell, this is my first read from this author.

Lilly has come to Skip Rock to take over position as the doctor for the mining town.  The men are wary of her at first, as with all books about early female doctors, and she has to earn the trust of the town.  It seems that once she finds her place, she isn't in a rush to leave.  Her fiance from Boston arrives to check on her, but she begins to question her love for him.

Tern is in Skip Rock undercover to check on conditions in the mine and make sure that the men are being treated fairly.  He recognizes Lilly from a circumstance in their past where their lives crossed in an unfortunate manner.  While Tern has loved Lilly all his life, he doesn't feel like she could ever forgive him or have any sort of feelings for him.

This book was an interesting read, but I'm not sure that it was as good as it could have been.  There were so few interactions between Tern and Lilly that I wondered how she so easily fell in love with him.  Perhaps it was implied in some of the memories they had from the past, but I don't think it was explained well enough to make the relationship make sense.  I also can appreciate the author's use of appropriate terminology for the time period, but most of the odd words weren't explained.  It seemed like the circumstance in the past that brought them together in the first place was more of an afterthought than it was a part of why they were drawn to each other.

This is part of a series, but it isn't labeled as such.  The next book in the series, Tattler's Branch, just came out at the end of August and is the continuation of Lilly's story.  I happened to notice that by accident.  Since it is a continuation of the story and I feel like I got the happy ending I needed in Skip Rock Shallows, I have made the decision to end my journey with Lilly and Tern here.  Decent Book - just not one of my favorites.