A Lady Unrivaled by Roseanna M. White

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Lady Ella Myerston can always find a reason to smile--even if it's just in hope that tomorrow will be better than today. All her life everyone has tried to protect her from the realities of the world, but Ella knows very well the danger that has haunted her brother and their friend, and she won't wait for it to strike again. She intends to take action . . . and if that happens to involve an adventurous trip to the Cotswolds, then so much the better.

Lord Cayton has already broken two hearts, including that of his first wife, who died before he could convince himself to love her. Now he's determined to live a better life. But that proves complicated when old friends arrive on the scene and try to threaten him into a life of crime. He does his best to remove the intriguing Lady Ella from danger, but the stubborn girl won't budge. How else can he redeem himself, though, but by saving her--and his daughter--from those dangerous people who seem ready to destroy them all?

MY THOUGHTS:
Of the three books, I think I most enjoyed Rowena's story in book two; however, I enjoyed getting to know Ella better and seeing the change in Cayton, especially when motivated by Ella's upbeat personality.

I thought the ending for the Fire Eyes was very clever, with no one the wiser but those closest to the jewels. And though Kira wasn't really my favorite character, I was happy that she decided to go back to her homeland and abandon her not-so-great circumstances.

I mostly enjoyed the series and would pick up something by Roseanna again.

Thank you to Roseanna and Bethany House through NetGalley for sending me a copy to read and review!

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**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

God Bless Us Every One by Eva Marie Everson

ABOUT THE BOOK:
A timeless classic can change the future.

Charlene Dixon—called Charlie by family and friends—is devastated at the recent loss of her job. For the last five years, the twenty-seven-year-old has blossomed as the activities director of an exclusive all-girls school. But when a misunderstanding with the head-mistress leads to a pink slip right before the holidays, Charlie packs up dreams and returns to Grandma Esther, who raised Charlie as her own.

When Charlie arrives—broken and confused—Esther immediately puts her granddaughter to work behind the scenes of the local school’s Christmas play, A Christmas Carol. When Charlie disapproves of having to work with Dustin Kennedy, the seventh-grade English teacher, Grandma Esther encourages her to take a deeper look at why the book by Charles Dickens had been written in the first place and what the book could teach Charlie about the needs of the children in their own community.

MY THOUGHTS:
This short Christmas novel was ok...but, not really my thing. Every so often a book blurb catches my eye, despite its contemporary setting (which I really don't care for), and I decide to read it anyway.

Well...God Bless Us Every One was pretty much as I expected...and everything I hoped it wasn't. Somehow, today's lingo and themes just aren't as charming to me as a historical setting. It's hard for me to feel warm and cozy with the mention of iPhones, pumpkin lattes, and (very) present-day artists belting out redone Christmas classics on the radio.

May not be my thing...but it might be yours!

I also thought the relationship between Charlie and Dustin moved too quickly. I mean, I know Charlie had been attracted to Dustin in high school, but on one page they were being reacquainted and by seemingly the next page, they were dating and smooching. Ok?! I just never felt the build-up of any romantic feelings (I know it was a short book, but still...).

So, if you enjoy reading short, Christmas themed stories during the holiday season, you'll probably like this one. I however, prefer jingle-bell-decked horses, pulling red sleighs full of warm, muffler-clad people.

Thank you to Eva and Abingdon Press through NetGalley for sending me a copy to read and review!

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**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Starving Hearts by Janine Mendenhall

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Since her assault, Miss Annette Chetwynd has been plagued by nightmares and worries about an arranged marriage.

She yearns to find her anonymous rescuer. Unfortunately, her health and intellect prevent it. Both repel suitors and cause Annette to doubt God's existence, at least until He answers her prayers in an unusual way. . . .

Mr. Peter Adsley is joining the clergy, and he desires a godly wife by his side. After a failed attempt to obtain one, he engages in a clandestine meeting with the bewitching young woman who keeps crossing his path. But she is so unsettling.

Destined for disappointments, Peter and Annette both endure disgraceful situations. Will Peter's faith sustain him through overwhelming setbacks? Can Annette overcome her doubts? Or will their starving hearts yield to the machinations of a mad man?

MY THOUGHTS:
I love that Jane Austen style, so I wanted to read Starving Hearts. Upon receiving the book, I noticed it was quite long (289 pages!)...with very small print.

The story read very movie-like, and though that is usually something I like, as it makes the reader feel like they are truly experiencing the story, I found Starving Hearts to be a bit wordy and tedious to work through. I had a hard time connecting with Annette, though I found quite interesting the people's perception during that time period of a health issue such as hers.

Mr. Slike, who is all things nasty, and the slavery side (bordered on the 'too descriptive') also made for very uncomfortable reading.

But, unfortunately, what disappointed me most, was the occurrence of profanity. About 2/3 of the way through the book (page 183), Peter's father swears. In less than 20 pages later (page 202), Mr. Adsley again uses inappropriate language.

This is something I just cannot tolerate. I find it very offensive and totally wrong in a 'Christian'-labeled story. I cannot recommend it.

That's what I thought! Click HERE to see what other reviewers are saying!

Thank you to Janine and Heritage Beacon through Litfuse for sending me a copy to read and review!

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**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Like a River from its Course by Kelli Stuart

ABOUT THE BOOK:

An epic novel exposing the ugliness of war and the beauty of hope.

The city of Kiev was bombed in Hitler's blitzkrieg across the Soviet Union, but the constant siege was only the beginning for her citizens. In this sweeping historical saga, Kelli Stuart takes the reader on a captivating journey into the little-known history of Ukraine's tragedies through the eyes of four compelling characters who experience the same story from different perspectives.

Maria Ivanovna is only fourteen when the bombing begins and not much older when she is forced into work at a German labor camp. She must fight to survive and to make her way back to her beloved Ukraine.

Ivan Kyrilovich is falsely mistaken for a Jew and lined up with 34,000 other men, women, and children who are to be shot at the edge of Babi Yar, the "killing ditch." He survives, but not without devastating consequences.

Luda is sixteen when German soldiers rape her. Now pregnant with the child of the enemy, she is abandoned by her father, alone, and in pain. She must learn to trust family and friends again and find her own strength in order to discover the redemption that awaits.

Frederick Hermann is sure in his knowledge that the Führer's plans for domination

are right and just. He is driven to succeed by a desire to please a demanding father and by his own blind faith in the ideals of Nazism.

Based on true stories gathered from fifteen years of research and interviews with Ukrainian World War II survivors, Like a River from Its Course is a story of love, war, heartache, forgiveness, and redemption.

MY THOUGHTS:

I found this book difficult to read. The four separate characters weren't woven together as much as I was expecting and the spiritual thread was almost non-existent.

(Near the end of the book, Ivan and his wife encounter and embrace a very Catholic-feeling kind of religion - a priest, stained glass windows, and icons of Mary and Jesus).

Luda's story was also very hard to read. I understand that such horrific things happened, but some of the language used by her father just made me uncomfortable.

It just felt like a book of sorrows. Oh, yes, I understand that so much of WWII was sorrowful...but, I do like reading about the hope and joy that some found despite the awfulness going on around them. Or at least some hope and joy that some may have found post-war.

That's what I thought! Click HERE to see what other reviewers are saying!

Thank you to Kelli and Kregel through Litfuse for sending me a copy to read and review!

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**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

An Elegant Façade by Kristi Ann Hunter

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Lady Georgina Hawthorne has worked tirelessly to seal her place as the Incomparable for her debut season. At her first London ball, she hopes to snag the attention of an earl.

With money and business connections, but without impeccable bloodlines, Colin McCrae is invited everywhere but accepted nowhere. When he first encounters the fashionable Lady Georgina, he's irritated by his attraction to a woman who concerns herself only with status and appearance.

What Colin doesn't know is that Georgina's desperate social aspirations are driven by the shameful secret she harbors. Association with Colin McCrae is not part of Georgina's plan, but as their paths continue to cross, they both must decide if the realization of their dreams is worth the sacrifices they must make.

MY THOUGHTS:

I really, really enjoyed this second story in Kristi Hunter's Hawthorne House series.

I must admit that it had been awhile since I read the first book, A Noble Masquerade...and at first I didn't remember Georgina. An Elegant Façade CAN be read as a standalone, but the two stories overlap for several chapters in the beginning (this was very unique -- I've never read a book with parts of the same story told from another's perspective). So...it's nice - and somewhat helpful - to read them both!

Georgina's 'flaw,' as she thinks it is, causes her to appear almost untouchable. I found Georgina's struggle with such a malady during that time period to be very interesting. As she is challenged by Mr. McCrae, a gentleman beneath her notice, I couldn't help but begin to like her more and more as I realized how her façade was just that. Her responses and mannerisms weren't really HER...but, my empathy and compassion grew during the fearful journey to find the real HER.

A very unique and enjoyable story that lends understanding to one of today's learning disabilities. I am hoping that Kristi will be writing next about the Hawthorne brothers! Because I'll certainly be reading them!

Thank you to Kristi and Bethany House through NetGalley for sending me a copy to read and review!

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**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

The House on Windridge by Tracie Peterson *Bonus novella*

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Rediscover this classic romance from bestselling author Tracie Peterson.

Jessica is alone in the world except for her infant son. She returns to the ranch where her life began, but Jessica doesn't know whom she can trust. Will Windridge become the home she has always longed for, or will it be the scene of her final betrayal?

Also included is a bonus historical prairie romance from author Joyce Livingston.

MY THOUGHTS:

The prologue was actually my favorite part of The House on Windridge...and I wished the story had continued straight from there. It was good, had me hooked, and I was disappointed in the 20+ year gap that picked up the characters' lives. Oh well...

Still, the story was a nice prairie romance. Quite a twist to have a daughter come back 'home' to run a ranch she's never really been a part of. At times Jessica rubbed me the wrong way, but her insecurities, though not loveable, were understandable.

Devon, Buck, and Katie were the perfect characters to help a girl like Jessica along...and the romance was sweet.

Thank you to Tracie and Barbour through NetGalley for sending me a copy to read and review!

Did you find my review helpful? Please rate it on Amazon and Christianbook.



**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Dawn at Emberwilde by Sarah E. Ladd

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Isabel Creston never dared to dream that love could be hers. Now, at the edge of a forest filled with dark secrets, she faces a fateful choice between love and duty.

MY THOUGHTS:
Don't you just love computer errors? I had a nice review all written and saved...and my laptop crashed. Apparently the crash corrupted my file, as OpenOffice can't seem to recover it. I hate when that happens! I can't ever remember everything I so eloquently said! ;-)

Well, let's just cut to the chase and say that Sarah's descriptions are rich and exciting. I love historical British Victorian/Regency kind of tales! Isabel is startled by her unknown family's summons, though she dearly longs for a home. However, it is quickly obvious that her aunt isn't welcoming to her niece or her younger sister. Isabel's uncle seems eager to marry her off, and the mysteries of the dark woods outside her window only add to the awkward and uneasy situation.

Dawn at Emberwilde will keep you reading to see if Isabel ever finds love and home.

Another lovely novel by Sarah! I loved it!

Thank you to Sarah and Thomas Nelson through NetGalley for sending me a copy to read and review!

Did you find my review helpful? Please rate it on Amazon and Christianbook.



**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

The Reluctant Duchess by Roseanna M. White

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Lady Rowena Kinnaird may be the heiress to a Highland earldom, but she has never felt good enough--not for her father, not for the man she thought she'd marry, not for God. But after a shocking attack, she's willing to be forever an outcast if it means escaping Loch Morar.

Brice Myerston, the Duke of Nottingham, has found himself in possession of a rare treasure his enemies are prepared to kill for. While Brice has never been one to shy away from manor-born ladies, the last thing he needs is the distraction of Lady Rowena, who finds herself in a desperate situation. But when Rowena's father tries to trap Brice into marrying his daughter, Brice makes a surprising decision.

Rowena wanted to escape the Highlands, but she's reluctant to marry a notorious flirt. And when she learns that Brice is mixed up in questionable business with a stolen treasure, she fears she's about to end up directly in the path of everything she was trying to avoid.

MY THOUGHTS:
It's been a long time since I read book one, The Lost Heiress, and at first I wasn't quite sure if I needed to remember that storyline. It would be helpful to remember Justin and Brook's story, though they are only barely mentioned in book 2...but, once the Fire Eyes were mentioned, most of what was important from Brook's story came back to me.

I loved Rowena and her Scottish brogue right away. And even Brice, though I found it odd he called Rowena 'darling' as soon as they were married, was easy to like – as he made a conscious choice to love.

Feelings eventually came, but Brice's choice to love Rowena, despite the circumstances, showed the true definition of love.

I found some of the physical descriptions of Rowena's attack tiring. It seemed to be mentioned more than necessary...and I did not like that Rowena's father just stopping short of vulgarity in reference to a woman near the end of the story.

Overall, I loved this honest look at true love.

Thank you to Roseanna and Bethany House through NetGalley for sending me a copy to read and review!

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**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Having a Martha Home the Mary Way by Sarah Mae

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Is it possible to find a balance? To care for your heart―and your home―at the same time?

Journey with Sarah Mae on this easy, practical 31-day plan to get you moving and have your house looking and feeling fresh. But even more than that, you’ll gain a new vision for the home of your dreams, and how to make it a place of peace, comfort, and community. Originally published as the e-book 31 Days to Clean and now revised and expanded in print for the first time, Having a Martha Home the Mary Way will inspire you to find a happier, healthier . . . cleaner way to live.

MY THOUGHTS:
This book is just like exercise: if you WANT to do it, and COMMIT to do it, you WILL see change!

I found Sarah Mae's writing style to be friendly and encouraging. She wasn't better than me...she struggles with feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, and tired...and comparing herself with someone else's 'clean' home.

I really enjoyed the Martha/Mary format to the book. Most of us fall into one of those categories...and need work on the other! Each chapter is short – super short! No need to feel that this book will take hours to wade through, adding only one more overwhelming task to our day.

Sarah Mae writes a short, engaging chapter before giving the reader two challenges: a Mary challenge, which takes a look at God's Word to motivate and calm your soul; and then a Martha challenge, which motivates you to take on a simple cleaning task for that day to get your home back into order.

I really thought Having a Martha Home the Mary Way was wonderful and doable...and, again, I know it CAN work...IF I do it! So, if you need a little push, let Sarah Mae encourage and motivate you in 31 days to a marked difference in your home! You, too, CAN do it...if you WANT to and WILL!!

Thank you to Sarah Mae and Tyndale through Tyndale Blog Network for sending me a copy to read and review!

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**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Room for Hope by Kim Vogel Sawyer

ABOUT THE BOOK:
In a desperate time, can Neva find forgiveness for a grievous wrong—and make room for hope?

Neva Shilling has a heavy load of responsibility while her husband travels to neighboring communities and sells items from his wagon. In his absence, she faithfully runs the Shilling Mercantile, working to keep their business strong as the Depression takes its toll, and caring for their twins.

When a wagon pulls up after supper, Neva and her children rush out—and into the presence of the deputy driving a wagon carrying three young children. The deputy shocks her with the news that Warren and his wife have died, insisting it was their last request that the three children go live with “Aunt Neva.”

Neva’s heart is shattered as she realizes that Warren’s month-long travels were excuses for visits with his secret family. She wants nothing more than to forget Warren, but can she abandon these innocent children to an orphanage? Yet if she takes them in, will she ever be able to see them as more than evidence of her husband’s betrayal and love them the way God does?

MY THOUGHTS:
Ooh, I loved this newest story by Kim!

Kim has such a way with her characters and often makes me teary-eyed within the first few chapters of her stories. Room for Hope evoked those sniffles.

I absolutely loved the Depression Era setting, as well as the addition of hobos (and their secret code) in the story.

And Kim's characters are always so great! I loved and empathized with Neva. I ached for Bud, Belle, Charley, Cassie, and Adeline. I was suspicious of Arthur and full of hope for Jesse.

Room for Hope is a wonderful story of true forgiveness. You should pick up a copy for yourself!

Thank you to Kim and Waterbrook Multnomah through Blogging for Books for sending me a copy to read and review!

Did you find my review helpful? Please rate it on Amazon and Christianbook.



**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

With This Ring: A Novella Collection of Proposals Gone Awry by Witemeyer, Jennings, Connealy, and Jagears

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Four top historical romance novelists team up in this new collection to offer stories of love and romance with a twist of humor that will delight readers.

MY THOUGHTS:
I don't normally reach for novellas unless I like the authors. With This Ring was written by 3 authors I have read and enjoyed, and as I needed some lighter reading while my dad was recovering from surgery, I requested the book for review.

4-1/2* - The Husband Maneuver by Karen Witemeyer: Karen starts the collection off with a bang in her story. For those of you who read A Worthy Pursuit, you'll love hearing what happens to Stone's friend, Daniel Barrett, or 'Dead-Eye Dan,' as he has been portrayed in action-packed dime novels which he despises.

I loved that each chapter started out with pages from the scorned dime novel...and followed up with the 'real life' Daniel.

And I loved Marietta. She loved Daniel, but wasn't pushy in her attempts to show him. Well, she wasn't subtle, exactly...but, she was sweet and respectful...and you could feel her extreme longing that Daniel would notice her. I loved watching their relationship unfold.

As for the other three short stories, they just didn't capture or hold my interest as much as Daniel and Marietta's story.

2-1/2*- Her Dearly Unintended by Regina Jennings: Unfortunately, this one was my least favorite. The beginning started out exciting with Mary Ellen, the cow, and the raging river, but as the story progressed, I didn't really like Mary Ellen. She was so...sharp. Disagreeable. Way too OCD (and I'm a bit OCD myself, so that's saying something). ;-) Josiah seemed like a nice guy, I really couldn't understand her dislike...but I guess that's the way some women react to past hurts without explanation. And, the stranger was so creepy...I never reconciled myself to what he ended up being and felt weird about him the whole time.

4* - Runaway Bride by Mary Connealy: I have only read a few of Mary's earlier books, and they weren't really my thing. So, I was surprised that Runaway Bride ranked second for me of these four stories. Carrie flees from an arranged marriage, and Big John Conroy is the one sent to bring her safely to her sister. Carrie can't leave her younger brother behind, and John finds himself really liking the spunk and courage of the two siblings. Of course, we rarely run unless something is chasing us, and Carrie's intended groom is hot on her trail.

As expected, John suggests that Carrie's only hope for safety is marriage...to him.

3* - Engaging the Competition by Melissa Jagears: I did like that Harrison wasn't perfect – was blind as a bat without his glasses – but I never really felt the attraction between him and Charlie (Charlotte), who didn't seem that dense to not realize her 'better than boys' attitude could be blocking true love. Reading of fuzzy faces, though sad reality, (as both my husband and I were once with eye wear before Lasik!), lacked the warmth and romance I enjoy.

So, With This Ring was mostly as I've come to expect of novellas – some of it I liked, some I didn't, and some surprised me! But, I would recommend picking it up, if just to read the story about Dead-Eye Dan (loved the last dime novel chapter that Daniel rewrote)!

Thank you to Karen, Regina, Mary, and Melissa and Bethany House through NetGalley for sending me a copy to read and review!

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**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Blue Ribbon Trail Ride by Miralee Ferrell

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Thirteen-year old Kate and her friends came up with the perfect way to raise money for her autistic younger brother and others to attend summer camp---a horse scavenger hunt! As local businesses donate money and prizes, Kate keeps the entry fees in her mom's antique jewelry box.

But when the box and the money disappear, Kate and her friends must unravel the clues, hold on to hope, and solve the mystery along the Blue Ribbon Trail Ride.

MY THOUGHTS:
I am always on the lookout for appropriate reading material for my children. My 9yo daughter loves to read and it is difficult to find books that I can approve. I was excited to check out Blue Ribbon Trail Ride, as my daughter has also hit that 'horse lover' age!

Very generously, the publisher sent me all four books of Miralee's Horses and Friends series, so though I only have to review the last book, Blue Ribbon Trail Ride, I read all of them to get a feel for the characters. I would recommend reading the first four books before picking up Blue Ribbon Trail Ride. It could be read by itself, but getting to know and understand the characters is best if you read the preceding books.

Blue Ribbon Trail Ride follows Kate and her friends as they come up with a grand idea to raise money to send Kate's autistic brother to camp. As the preparations are in full swing, the cash from the contestant's entry fees disappears! Kate and her pals, along with two new characters: Mouse and Jake, start sleuthing to find the culprit! As with any good mystery, it will keep you guessing page after page...and surprise you at the end!

As a girl, I would have thoroughly enjoyed these books.

As a mother, I have cautiously ok'd this series for my daughter. The themes of loyalty, true friendship, forgiveness, and hard work are great, though a child will most likely be interested in the slight mysteries involved in each book.

What concerned me most is some of the slang used in the stories. 'Hurl,' 'dweeb,' 'sissy,' 'dissed,' and referring to a boy as 'hot,' were some of the words I found inappropriate. I also didn't enjoy the many pop-culture references that occurred in book 4 by Jake. These references were of movies, songs, whatever that we have not watched in our home.

Aside from that, any horse-loving, reading girl will enjoy Kate's adventures.

That's what I thought! Click HERE to see what other reviewers are saying!

Thank you to Miralee and David C. Cook through Litfuse for sending me a copy to read and review!

Did you find my review helpful? Please rate it on Amazon and Christianbook.



**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Beyond the Orphan Train series by Arleta Richardson

ABOUT THE BOOK:
In the tender style of Little House on the Prairie, the Beyond the Orphan Train series tells the story of the Cooper children who ride the orphan train to a new life.

These four charming books will engage young readers with a forgotten era in American history when thousands of homeless children were relocated from the East Coast to live with families in the Midwest.

Written for children ages 8 to 12, this fictional series captures the lives and adventures of Ethan, Alice, Simon, and Will Cooper as they travel from an orphanage in Pennsylvania to a farm in Nebraska to a new home in Mexico. Along the way, they encounter snakebites, dust storms, and other trials but ultimately learn that God will never leave them.

MY THOUGHTS:
I had hoped the Orphan Train series would appeal to my 9 year old daughter who is a voracious reader, but her interest just didn't go past the first few pages.

So, I read the four books, and I could see why it was difficult to get past the beginning. Ethan's story starts out pretty sadly and seriously. And, for the most part, the book continues to keep the somber theme.

The story felt like several small incidents that weren't tied in smoothly. I loved that Ethan was a real boy – and I loved knowing that these events really happened: like painting the pig, the circus train, and Pancho Villa! – but the overall flow of the story was a bit choppy.

Because Ethan's new family wasn't really loving, in a nurturing and compassionate way, I only felt sorry for him and his siblings, wishing for them the same tender care that his friend Bert received.

Eh, but that's life...and history. Like Mrs. Richardson, the orphan trains fascinate me...and I enjoyed hearing a true-to-life, less-than-glamorous tale.

Still, the Orphan Train series is worth the read. Just be aware it's a bit more serious than most children's books. Perhaps my daughter – or son – will prefer these books when they hit the higher end of the recommended age bracket (8-12).

Thank you to Arleta and David C. Cook through NetGalley for sending me a copy to read and review!

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**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**

Beyond the Silence by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse

ABOUT THE BOOK:
In the 1890s a nanny accepts a position in California, but upon arrival she learns that her six-year-old charge hasn’t spoken since his mother’s death, fueling troubling rumors about her employer that do not align with the man she comes to know.

MY THOUGHTS:
I'm not sure if Beyond the Silence was more Kimberley Woodhouse's work or not, but I enjoyed this much more than the last few books of Tracie Peterson's that I've picked up.

The prologue caught my interest immediately – how could it not?! – and I couldn't stop turning the rest of the pages for the rest of the story. In fact, once I ended the book, I was still thinking about the characters and wishing I could keep reading about them! They were well thought out and, except for the 'bad guys,' I loved all of them, from the housekeeper to the field workers to the mercantile man.

Woody and Little Jimmy's story is one that tugged on my heart, and sweet, but strong, Lillian brought such healing and hope into their lives that I couldn't help but love her. Beyond the Silence definitely ran the gamut as far as emotions go, everything from intrigue...sorrow...hatefulness...genuine compassion and love...and innocence.

I loved it...and I think you will too!

Thank you to Tracie, Kimberley, and Bethany House through Bethany House Blogger Review Program for sending me a copy to read and review!

Did you find my review helpful? Please rate it on Amazon and Christianbook.



**DISCLOSURE: I was given a free product in exchange for an honest review. Please read my full disclosure policy HERE.**