Guest Review by Bonnie Roof of Elaine Marie Cooper's "Road to Deer Run"

Road to Deer Run

Road to Deer Run (CrossRiver Media Group, 2015)

By Elaine Marie Cooper

Review by Bonnie Roof

In 1777, nineteen-year-old Colonial woman Mary Thomsen finds wounded British soldier Daniel Lowe lying on her Massachusetts colony farmland. At first fearful of aiding an enemy - she is reminded of the biblical account of the Good Samaritan, her sense of right and wrong demands she must help Daniel. Managing to help support Daniel's weight while the two walk to an abandoned American wigwam, which Mary and her younger brother used as a playhouse when children, Mary hides Daniel and rushes home to secure medical supplies. Leading her mother, a midwife, to believe she is leaving to give medical aid to a wounded dog - Mary returns to the wigwam to nurse Daniel. When he develops a fever from the infection of his wound, and without enough protection from the cold late October weather, Mary realizes the time has come to ask for her mother's help; yet fearing her reaction due to the recent death of Mary's younger brother, Asa, by British soldiers.

Mary's mother, Ruth - a widow, still grieving over her youngest son's death, and concerned for older son James' safety while away fighting for America's freedom - refuses to fully engage in Daniel's care. Until...while sharing bible scripture with her youngest daughter Sarah, she reads Proverbs 25:21: "If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink". A woman of deep faith, she prays for God to remove her bitterness towards the King's troops and restore forgiveness - then makes the decision to bring Daniel into her home for healing treatment. The dangers involved in hiding Daniel, a smallpox epidemic, and an incident of drunken abuse aren't the only elements of drama which kept my eyes glued to the pages of "Road to Deer Run".

Elaine Marie Cooper paints an unforgettable story of forgiveness, redemption, romance, deep faith, courage, hope, and the horrors of war during the American Revolution. Based on true events and the lives of her great-great-great-great grandparents - there is much realism of characters, precise historical facts, suspense, and one of the sweetest, most tender love stories I've read. My initial attraction to the book being it's beautiful, compelling cover featuring it's heroine portraying such depth of distress on her face - I found it hard to put down once I began reading, it's characters remained in my heart after finishing the book. A touching story of deep inspiration! 

Road to Deer Run - publisher CrossRiver Media Group, is followed by book 2 of the Deer Run Saga, "Promise of Deer Run" (June, 2016), and book 3, "Legacy of Deer Run" (December, 2016). "Saratoga Letters" will be released by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas in October, 2016.  

GIVEAWAY: Winner's choice of paperback or ebook copy (ebook only outside the USA).

Guest Reviewer: Bonnie Roof is a reviewer on the Overcoming with God blog. She lives in beautiful Kentucky, is an avid reader, and loves God and His people.  

After the Rain by Rita Gerlach - Review by Tina Rice

After the Rain by Rita Gerlach

After The Rain
Five Stars ***** 

by Rita Gerlach

Review by Tina Rice

Louisa Borden is from a wealthy family who make their home in 1908's Chevy Chase, Maryland. Her grandmother, Beatrice—who is not only domineering, even cruel at times—insists she marry Rupert Eastcott and live far away in a lonely castle in England. Louisa has no intentions in marrying Rupert—a man she does not love and barely tolerates. One day as she is riding she is thrown from her horse and lands along the bank of Rock Creek. Laying on the cold, wet, muddy bank Jackson O'Neil—a handsome stranger—comes along, picks her up and carries her to safety thereby changing her life in a way she never would have dreamed. Even though she finds him fascinating and charming, he is not of her class....but it doesn't seem to matter to her heart. Jackson was smitten from the moment he laid eyes on Louisa. Can there really be a future for them?

Rupert soon informs her of a shocking secret about Jackson that crushes her tender heart. Adding to her broken heart, her grandmother gives her another shock when she shares a long held secret that shatters her even more. On top of these revealed secrets, a terrible tragedy strikes—one that could forever change her life. With nowhere else to turn, she takes the train to Chestnut Creek, Virginia to visit her loving and fun-loving widowed aunts. 

After the Rain is an unforgettable story set in the Edwardian era that takes the reader back to a time where the past meets the future. The real-to-life characters experience struggles, heartaches, joys and love just as we do. I loved Louisa's strength and giving heart and Jackson's integrity, faith and compassion. Maude and Mildred, the two widowed aunts, are full of wisdom and fun—I loved their enthusiasm for life. There are humorous moments, one scene involving a mule and motorcar had me laughing out loud—I still chuckle whenever I think about it. I also cried—some sad tears and some happy tears—along with the characters and was on the edge of my seat during some suspenseful situations. There are more unexpected surprises that take the story-line in directions I had not anticipated. The descriptions of the country side, town and Edwardian era are so well written I could envision it all as I read along. I enjoyed the historical aspects in the story and how they were woven throughout the story seamlessly. Instead of one romance there are actually four. Rita Gerlach has written a remarkable story that will stay with me for a long time.

CFP: Thanks so much for coming on board with CQ as a Reader/Reviewer, Tina!!! 

Gabrielle Meyer's "A Groom for Josette" -- Reviewed by Guest Gracie Yost

                                                                                      

The Convenient Bride Collection from Barbour (2015)

Gabrielle Meyer's "A Groom for Josette" is a novella in The Convenient Bride Collection (Barbour, 2015).

Guest Review by Gracie Yost

When one thinks of getting married, it's most likely because you fell in love with someone and want to spend the rest of your life with that person. That's how it's supposed to happen right? Marriages haven't always consisted of two people who fell in love. In fact, many were nothing more than an arrangement made by two people born out of necessity.

   Our heroine, Josette Leblanc, finds herself in a precarious position. She has recently learned that at the stroke of midnight on her half-brothers 21st birthday, her father’s entire estate and business will be handed over to her half-brother. The thought of this happening terrifies Josette. Stephen is a known gambler and incompetent. If he gains control of the estate and business, along with  guidance from his mother, not only would Josette become penniless and homeless, but everything would fall into ruin.

    Is there a way for Josette to secure her fathers legacy? And, in the process save herself  from a life unimaginable? Mr.Trestle, her fathers lawyer, informs her of the only way he knows of which could prevent all this from happening. His answer shocks her, "Get married and return with the marriage certificate by the deadline and the estate will remain in your control."

   What will Josette do? She has three weeks in which to find a husband, get married and return with proof of the union. But how? And, who? Answering a newspaper advertisement for brides, Josette travels to the town of Little Falls, Minnesota, in search of  a husband. But, questions remain heavy in Josette’s mind. Will her family’s heritage prevent her from finding a husband as it had in the past? As a daughter of a fur trader and an Indian mother, she knows her chances of finding a husband are slim. But, she retains her hope and faith in God, that he will see her safely through this turmoil.

 

Author Gabrielle Meyer

     I highly recommend Gabrielle Meyer's, "A Groom for Josette". You will be on the edge of your seat as you journey with Josette. You will feel her sadness and share her joy as Josette’s prayers are answered in a way that she never dreamed or imagined possible.

I give this wonderful Novella 5 stars! *****

CFP: Guest Reviewer, Gracie Yost, loves to read Christian fiction, especially Christian Historical Romance.  Thank you, Gracie, for this wonderful review!

GIVEAWAY: Winner's choice of ebook or paperback.  Leave a comment to enter!

Review of Lumberjacks' Ball by Sr. Mary Lou Kwiatkowski

The Lumberjacks' Ball by Carrie Fancett Pagels


A Must READ for Christian Romance Readers!

The Lumberjacks' Ball (The Christy Lumber Camp Series, Book 2) 
by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Review by Sr. Mary Lou Kwiatkowski

This is one of the best novels I have ever read. I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a real page turner and I did not want to put it down. I loved the cover and the whole story line. I loved the characters Carrie created (even Sister Mary Lou).

What a wonderful Christian Romance. It was so well written and enjoyable. I definitely give this book a five star rating, plus, plus, plus. Thank you, Carrie.

Bio: Our guest reviewer is Sr. Mary Lou Kwiatkowski. She is a former nurse and a nun serving in Pittsburgh, Sister of the Holy Family of Nazareth. She's a Christian fiction reader and reviewer.

CFP: Thanks so much, Sr. Mary Lou, for your kind review!!! And I loved creating a character named after you! She will be appearing in the next book, currently titled, Lilacs for the Lumber Camp. And I feel pretty sure she'll show up for all those weddings that we hope will eventually happen for the Christy family and all their friends!

Did you hear? The first book in the series, The Fruitcake Challenge, an Amazon bestselling Christian Historical Romance (hitting #1 spot December, 2014) is a Selah finalist. The winner will be announced in two weeks at the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers' Conference.

GIVEAWAY: Ebook copies of BOTH books OR paperback copy of one, winner's choice!