Showing posts with label Tina St.Clair Rice. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

My Heart Belongs in the Shenandoah Valley: Lily’s Dilemma by Andrea Boeshaar -- Review by Tina St.Clair Rice

MyHeart Belongs in the Shenandoah Valley: Lily’s Dilemma (My Heart Belongs) by Andrea Boeshaar

Review by Tina St. Clair Rice

This story is set in 1816 Middletown, Virginia where Lillyanna “Lily” Laughlin lives with her Aunt Brunhilda “Hilda” Gunther and two younger brothers, 14-year-old Jonah and 12-year-old Jed. Since the recent death of her father, Lily now cares for her brothers as well as their small farm and home. However things soon change when she learns she no longer owns part of the land across from her beloved home. Her guardian, Silas Everett, sold it without even discussing it with her and her family to a stranger, Captain McAlister “Mac” Albright. I enjoyed the way Lily and Mac initially meet, although it was rather embarrassing for Lily, and hoped maybe something more than friendship would develop between them. Unfortunately Lily and her family's troubles were only beginning thanks to a very deceitful and evil man. Lily and her family quickly became favorite characters. I admire Lily’s dedication to caring for her family. Not only is she lovely and has a beautiful singing voice, she has a giving heart, strong work ethic, kind spirit and strong faith. Will her new neighbor see all those godly qualities in her?

I felt for Mac and the reason he left his family home and moved to the Shenandoah Valley. He has had his own troubles in the past but with his friend, John Blake to help, he hopes to make a fresh start in Middletown. Will his past troubles follow him there? He soon became another favorite character in this story. He is physically strong...and very handsome...which he will need in order to work the farm and orchard he just bought, and his honesty and integrity are admirable.

Mac’s friend John, Lily’s two brothers and aunt, along with some of the other secondary characters are just as endearing and bring much to the storyline. John especially, who is lighthearted and fun and often brings smiles and laughter. There is one character who I did not like at all, Silas Everett. He is an evil, conniving man, out for his own selfish wants regardless how he obtains them or who he hurts in the process.

The author certainly developed the characters in this story well...some I grew to love and one I did not like at all. The characters experience humor, more than one sweet romance developing, adventure and suspense, deceitfulness and conniving, evil intentions, trust….others and oneself as well as trusting and learning God’s plan for each of them, love and faith. I enjoyed the spiritual aspect of the storyline. Oh, I love the ending, perfect!

The historical details and descriptions of the Shenandoah Valley are beautifully done and invite the reader to step off the pages into the valley itself. The author has a note in the back of the story explaining the history of Middletown of 1826 which is very informative. I like that the stories in each of the My Heart Belongs series (10 stories) are based on actual historical locations and plan to read the other 8 that I have not read yet.

~I received an e-book copy via Net Galley (no monetary gain were exchanged), this is my honest review~

Bio: Tina St.Clair Rice is Colonial Quills' Reader/Reviewer. A former nurse, Tina lives in Maryland with her family. Tina enjoys Christian historical fiction and is a beta reader for several authors.

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Review of Saratoga Letters by Elaine Marie Cooper

Saratoga Letters by Elaine Marie Cooper

Reviewed by Tina St.Clair Rice

5 stars *****

Saratoga Letters spans two eras two hundred years apart—1777 battlefield of the Revolutionary war and 1977 reenactment of the Battle of Saratoga. Elaine Cooper has penned two-in-one gripping, heartwarming stories that pulled me into the characters lives from the first page. It has historical detail that paints a vivid picture of a time of war, not only its physical but also the emotional toll it has on the communities, their lives and the soldiers on both sides.

….Part 1: September 19, 1777 Saratoga, New York
As Abigail Gillingham mourns the recent death of her beloved father, her cruel, abusive, loyalist uncle forces her to nurse wounded soldiers—British soldiers—in a nearby British army hospital marquee. He informs the matron of nurses, Mrs. Carberry, that Abigail is “Mrs.” Gillingham as only married women are allowed to nurse the wounded soldiers. Bless Mrs. Carberry's heart, she saw right through Abigail's uncle and will protect her from him. The next days and weeks are hard for Abigail for many reasons, yet she strives to ease the patients suffering and pray over them. I admire her strength and the way her heart changes toward her patients—her enemy—and her faith. Enemy or not, one gentle soldier with intense blue eyes captivates her—how can her heart yearn for a young soldier who is British? Is it possible to find love in the midst of such tragedy and suffering? There is evil present and Abigail must stay on her guard so as not to be caught in its grasp.

British soldier Corporal William Carpenter is seriously wounded and taken to the hospital marquee where he is cared for by a lovely, red-haired nurse. As he watches her care for her patients he finds himself drawn to her but tries to guard his heart as she is married. As he grieves for the loss of so many of his fellow soldiers and healing from his wounds, he also sees an evil that is threatening those around him. But how can he keep it at bay being so weak from his wounds? I love William's heart for others and his strength in the midst of such suffering and pain and his faith. Can he help Abigail when she needs it most?

We get a glimpse of the suffering and pain of those caught in the war. Not only those with physical wounds but wounds of the heart as well. As a retired RN, I found the descriptions of the hospital marquee, how the wounded are cared for, the medicinals used and the nursing practices of the time very interesting. It is heartbreaking enough to see soldiers who are so very young but to see children caught up in the battles truly breaks my heart.

….Part 2: September 1977, Redlands, California and Saratoga, New York
Pediatric nurse Abby Carpenter agrees to accompany her brother, Scott to the bicentenary celebration and reenactment of the Battle of Saratoga in Saratoga, New York to honor their deceased father. Unexpected surgery keeps Scott from going and Abby travels alone. She meets Ian Thacker, a British constable who is also attending the event. Over the next weeks Abby and Ian spend a lot of time together and have a mutual attraction. But how can they have a future together when they live thousands of miles away from each other? I appreciate the letters included in the book that sheds more details regarding Abigail and William, Abby and Ian's stories. Mystery and danger follow and Ian vows to protect Abby at all costs. Twists and turns in the storyline kept me turning the pages with an unexpected ending.

Back Cover Copy:
It is 1777. The Battle of Saratoga, a turning point of the Revolutionary War, encourages the American Continental Army with their first great victory. But there seemed little to celebrate for one patriotic woman forced to nurse wounded British soldiers right in their war camp. Thrust into deception by a cruel Loyalist uncle, Abigail is forced to lie in order to survive, all the while dealing with fears that challenge her faith. Danger stalks her everywhere, yet her salvation springs from an unexpected source.

Then...
Two hundred years later, on the anniversary of the Battle of Saratoga, thousands arrive from Europe and the United States to celebrate the event—including descendants from the war. One young American, Abby, meets another offspring of a British soldier. When her life is threatened, Abby turns to the only person she knows at the event—her British ally. Can she trust him with her life? Or will he betray her in the same way Loyalist spies betrayed her ancestors? Perhaps letters from long ago will reveal the truth.
(published by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas)

About the Author:

Award winning author Elaine Marie Cooper is the author of Saratoga Letters, Fields of the Fatherless, Bethany’s Calendar and the historical trilogy called the Deer Run Saga. She has been captivated by the history of the American Revolution since she was young. She grew up in Massachusetts, the setting for many of her historical novels.

Her upcoming release is Legacy of Deer Run (CrossRiver Media, Dec, 2016), Book 3 in the Deer Run Saga.

You can purchase Saratoga Letters here

Monday, October 3, 2016

CelebrateLit Blog Hop with Tina Rice for Roseanna M. White

A Lady Unrivaled
#3 Ladies of the Manor Series

(Bethany House)

by Roseanna M. White

Reviewed by Tina St. Clair Rice

Five Stars *****

A Lady Unrivaled is book three in the Ladies of the Manor Series. Set in 1913 England, The Cotswolds, Ralin Castle where Lady Ella Myerston is visiting her good friend Brook—Duchess of Stafford. Ella has very specific reasons for visiting Brook and is determined to keep her reasons to herself...for now. She had me chuckling when she was sneaking around the castle to get to the massive library (oh, what a library it is!) unnoticed. Now why would she want to get to the library unnoticed? What was she sneaking around for—I am not saying?

I love Ella's heart—full of love for her family, friends and God—overflowing on all she does, her optimism in all situations, gentleness and grace, loving and compassionate, joyfulness, ready smile and laughter, brave and oh so mischievous. I think her optimism and smiles bothered some, which may be why she is thought to be unaware of what is going on around her. However, she has chosen to find joy in all things and is far more aware of things than others realize. She is also determined to keep those she loves out of danger and from more tragedy—a danger that seems to follow the mysterious gems the “fire eyes”.

Oh so handsome James Azerly—Earl of Cayton lives not far from Ralin Castle with his nine month old daughter, Lady Adelaide—or Addie. Addie is a precious little girl that captures the hearts of those around her—she certainly captured mine. James is a complex man, his past is not one he is proud of. However he is a changed man after giving his heart and life to Jesus, he—with God's help—has changed his way of life to a godly one, but his past won't let him be and he has questions. I appreciate that we can see how he struggles with the “old” man he once was and the “new” man he is now. I love his heart, integrity, love and devotion to his daughter. I especially love the interaction between Ella and James!

It was great to revisit many of the characters I fell in love with in the first two books and learn of their lives since then. Plots get more dangerous with even more daring attempts to obtain the mysterious “fire eyes”. I had my suspicions as to who actually was responsible for the evil lurking about, the escalating dangerous situations Ella, James and their loved ones found themselves in. Certain characters are not who they appear to be, to their own advantage of course. Surprise developments in the storyline, twists and turns, and unexpected dangers kept me reading—holding my breath at times, just one more chapter and then another chapter. At certain parts of the story I found myself laughing and crying at others. I appreciate the inspirational elements woven throughout the story—learning to trust ones-self and God, redemption, intrigue, forgiveness, joy, suspense, danger, love, betrayal, faith and a surprising ending. The descriptions of the era are such that I could envision the country-side, castles, walking alongside Ella as she strolls in the woods and the clothing—I felt as if I walked among the characters. I appreciate the list of characters and their relationships in the front of the book. A Lady Unrivaled is a gripping, heartwarming story that will stay with the reader—this reader at least—long after the last page.

~I received a copy of A Lady Unrivaled from the publisher, (no monetary gain were exchanged), this is my honest review~

Enter to win

a complete set of the Ladies of the Manor series,
including A Lady Unrivaled, and a tin of Prince of Wales tea,

straight from HRH Prince Charles's Highgrove Shop in Tetbury, England!