Review of The Heart's Charge by Karen Witemeyer

 

About the Book ~

For Years They've Been Nomads for Justice, but a Final Mission May Just Lead Their Hearts Home.

Members of the legendary Hanger's Horsemen, Mark Wallace and Jonah Brooks arrive in Llano County, Texas, to deliver a steed, never expecting they'd help deliver a baby as well. Left with an infant to care for, they head to a nearby foundling home, where Mark encounters the woman he nearly married a decade ago.

After failing at love, Katherine Palmer has dedicated her life to caring for children, teaming up with Eliza Southerland to start Harmony House. Eliza understands the pain of not fitting society's mold, being illegitimate and of mixed ancestry. Yet those are the very attributes that lead her to minister to outcast children. The taciturn Jonah intrigues her by defying all her stereotypes of men, but there are secrets behind his eyes--ghosts from wars past and others still being waged.

When the Horsemen hear rumors of missing children, they stay to investigate, sticking close to Harmony House and its beautiful owners. As they work together to uncover the truth, love and danger grow hand in hand until a final sinister scheme threatens to destroy them all.

For more information about Karen Witemeyer and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

If you're looking for a fast-paced, quick western with twice as much romance, then The Heart's Charge by Karen Witemeyer should be added to the wobbly TBR pile on your nightstand!

The Heart's Charge pulled me into its western world and gave me all the John Wayne vibes! I enjoyed how the story centered around the home for outcast children; it really tugged on my heartstrings! Additionally, Mark and Katherine get a second chance at love as sparks fly between Jonah and Eliza, so their romances were sweet and fun. While the villain didn't surprise me, I thought the author laid out those plot twists well. However, as much as I enjoyed Jonah and Mark's friendship and seeing their interactions while they wooed their respective ladies, their stories felt condensed within the single book. That said, I did enjoy the way their stories built upon each other.

The Heart's Charge is sprinkled with lots of spiritual truths as Jonah, Mark, Katherine, and Eliza healed from their respective wounds. However, the most striking and overarching message proved to be that you can't define a person by their worst mistake. The different ways the heroes and heroines grappled and surrendered to this truth painted a beautiful picture of the way God defines us -- covered in His love, grace, and mercy!

Three Stars ~  The Heart's Charge by Karen Witemeyer is a fun, romantic western! The Heart's Charge is the second book in the author's Hanger's Horsemen Series, but the story can be read without reading the previous book.

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer loves to write romantic and comedic stories that proclaim God’s deep love for us. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and an avid blogger. In her spare time, Joy loves to sing (especially Disney songs), drink large quantities of coffee, and take flowery photos for Bookstagram. When Joy isn’t fighting with fictional people, she’s hanging out with her husband and their adorable little girl. Connect with Joy via www.vjoypalmer.com!

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

Review of Come Back to Me by Jody Hedlund

 

About the Book ~

The ultimate cure that could heal any disease? Crazy.

That's exactly what research scientist Marian Creighton has always believed about her father's quest, even if it does stem from a desire to save her sister from the genetic disease that stole their mother from them. But when her father falls into a coma after drinking a vial of holy water believed to contain traces of residue from the Tree of Life, Marian must question all of her assumptions. He's left behind tantalizing clues that suggest he's crossed back in time. Insane. Until Marian tests his theories and finds herself in the Middle Ages during a dangerous peasant uprising.

William Durham, a valiant knight, comes to Marian's rescue and offers her protection . . . as his wife. The longer Marian stays in the past, the more she cares about William. Can she ever find her father and make it back to the present to heal her sister? And when the time comes to leave, will she want to?

Bestselling author Jody Hedlund is your guide down the twisting waters of time to a volatile era of superstition, revolts, and chivalry in this suspenseful story.

For more information about Jody Hedlund and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

Come Back to Me by Jody Hedlund is SO enthralling, riveting, and consuming that I am utterly distraught that I don't have the next book in the series RIGHT NOW! Excuse me while I weep bitterly for a moment...

Come Back to Me is a marvelous blend of time-traveling fantasy and romance! The author crafted a stunningly unique story with whispers of National Treasure meets the Bible meets a Christian version of Outlander. And while I've never been a fan of Outlander (we've all got our quirks, so please don't throw imaginary tomatoes at me!), I am going to be obsessed with the Waters of Time Series thanks to the awesome sauce that is Come Back to Me! Without giving away spoilers, I was very impressed and riveted by the author's ability to weave a Biblically-inspired, time-traveling tale with a high-stake modern suspense and a sweeping Medieval romance.

While some of Will and Marian's romance was tinged a touch of insta-love, I thought it worked for their story. Additionally, I appreciated how the author steered away from the physical side of their marriage and onto establishing love on a mind, body, and soul level. Will and Marian each bore scars and thus choose to bury their hearts into the routines of their respective lives before they met. Their love story is a beautifully imaginative look at how Godly love not only knows no bounds but also has the power to heal a broken heart. I also loved how the author was able to include a stirring message about living in the present -- achieved by a little trip to the past!  

Five Stars ~ Come Back to Me by Jody Hedlund is a romantic tale that will hold readers in rapt awe! Come Back to Me is the first book in the author's new Waters of Time Series, and I would highly recommend reading the books in order.

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer loves to write romantic and comedic stories that proclaim God’s deep love for us. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and an avid blogger. In her spare time, Joy loves to sing (especially Disney songs), drink large quantities of coffee, and take flowery photos for Bookstagram. When Joy isn’t fighting with fictional people, she’s hanging out with her husband and their adorable little girl. Connect with Joy via www.vjoypalmer.com!

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!

Review of A Lady in Attendance by Rachel Fordham

 

About the Book ~

Five years in a New York state reformatory have left a blemish on Hazel's real name. So when she takes a job as Doctor Gilbert Watts's lady in attendance in 1898, she does so under an alias. In the presence of her quiet and pious employer, Hazel finds more than an income. She finds a friend and a hope that if she can set her tarnished past in order, she might have a future after all.

As Gilbert becomes accustomed to the pleasant chatter of his new dental assistant, he can't help but sense something secretive about her. Perhaps there is more to this woman than meets the eye. Can the questions that loom between them ever be answered? Or will the deeds of days gone by forever rob the future of its possibilities?

Rachel Fordham pens a tender tale of a soft-spoken man and a hardened woman, as well the friends who stand by them, as they work toward a common purpose--to expunge the record of someone society deemed beyond saving--and perhaps find love along the way.

For more information about Rachel Fordham and her books, check out her website here!

My Thoughts ~

If you're looking for a story that will warm your heart with a sweet romance and deep truths, then A Lady in Attendance by Rachel Fordham will give you all the cozy vibes!

The setting of A Lady in Attendance immediately charmed me, largely because I related to Gilbert and Hazel on a vocational level as I was a dental assistant for a time. Seeing a field in which I worked portrayed in a historical era was great fun, being both whimsical and nostalgic! Additionally, the author really kept my attention not only with the unfolding romance but also with mystery, murder, suspense, and a surprising plot twist. While I don't love the particular trope found there, I thought the author showed skill in both the initial shock and resolution surrounding that plot twist.

Gilbert was a sweet, steadfast hero who found himself becoming bolder and braver throughout the story, subtly showing how your God-given spouse can and should influence you for the better. Hazel's past sins, mistakes, and the injustices inflicted on her opened her eyes to forgiveness -- for everyone but herself! She truly struggled with forgiving herself, so her journey to accepting that the past didn't define her AND seeing the good that God wrought from her past brought tears to my eyes a time or two!

Four Stars ~ A Lady in Attendance by Rachel Fordham is a lovely romance with profound truths that will leave a warm feeling in your heart! A Lady in Attendance is a standalone, but the author has other novels in her backlist for readers to enjoy.

Disclaimer ~ In accordance with FTC regulations, I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not compensated, nor was a positive review required. All opinions expressed are my own.

See you next time, and God bless you guys!!!

Hugs!

~V. Joy Palmer

V. Joy Palmer loves to write romantic and comedic stories that proclaim God’s deep love for us. She’s a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and an avid blogger. In her spare time, Joy loves to sing (especially Disney songs), drink large quantities of coffee, and take flowery photos for Bookstagram. When Joy isn’t fighting with fictional people, she’s hanging out with her husband and their adorable little girl. Connect with Joy via www.vjoypalmer.com!

Connect with Joy on her website, personal blog, devotional blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Amazon Author Page!

Any questions? Check out my Disclosures and Policies Page!