THE GOLDEN BRIDE By Kimberley Woodhouse

This is another in the Mayflower series done by several different authors. It is a very good historical series. I've enjoyed most of the books and learned alot of interesting facts shared by the various authors. The Golden Bride can stand alone, however, as a good read. 

Most of the story follows Olivia Brighton as she travels to San Francisco to join her brother after her parents have died. She marries quickly for survival and becomes a widow just as quickly. She arrives in San Francisco jaded and determined to endure a just fate of spinsterhood. But she grows in her faith and in emotional maturity as she helps her brother manage his restaurant and as she joins forces with Daniel's best friend Joseph to improve the plight of their new city.

Romance blooms slowly between Olivia and Joseph while Joseph struggles to find those responsible for an underground slave trade and abuse of children. Daniel has given Olivia a trunk that had belonged to their mother and holds the journals of several of her ancestors including her mother. She finds commonalitiy with them and encouragement from their struggles and achievements.

I recommend this book for your summer reading pile and thank Barbour Publishing for allowing me to read this book through Netgalley. The opinions expressed are my own.

WHEN YOU ARE NEAR By Tracie Peterson

When You Are Near is the first in a new series by Tracie Peterson called the Brookstone Brides. It has an unusual setting of a traveling Wild West Show. Ella is the main performer doing acrobatics from the back of horses and she is the daughter of the owner. Now her father has passed away and she and her mother must find a way to move on.

Ella has decided she will close off her heart to love but she finds her heart being vied for by two men. Jason, who is an investor in the show and now has more say in where they will perform has set his cap for Ella and doesn't intend to take no for an answer. When they return home to their ranch for the winter hiatus, there is Wes, the man whom she has truly given her heart to years before but whom she thinks still sees her as a girl; besides, Wes is married or was, as his wife has died and Wes is full of guilt and also fear for Ella.

Complicating things, is the death of their wrangler, a runaway fiancee, and a vagabond brother. This is a very entertaining read which I recommend for your summer reading. Thanks to Bethany House for allowing me to read this ebook through Netgalley. The opinions expressed are my own.

WHAT'S NEXT By Daniel Ryan Day

So this is a diversion for me, a book that is not a romance (as my blog is normally for Christian or Clean Romances) but a great read and one that all of us can find thought provoking.

Thanks to Discovery House for allowing me to read this ebook through Netgalley. The opinions expressed are my own honest thoughts. What caught my eye was the blurb that came with the netgalley email recommending this book. Actually, it was the first sentence: "Stuck in a dead-end job and not sure what to do next?" It caught my eye because my son and I had been discussing this very problem he was struggling with, so, of course, Mom had to read this book and get him a copy.

We all know that, in the end, there won't be a perfect answer to our struggle to answer the above question but the fun and informational thing is digging for the truth.

Now, if you aren't a christian or at least consider yourself a person of faith, then you won't care what Mr. Day has to say; but if you care to know what God might have to reveal to you on the matter then this book is chock full of encouragement and insightful advice--more importantly, backing it up with scripture.

Mr. Day uses his own personal experiences and those of people he knows as well as brings biblical characters to life with apt descriptions of how their stories might impact our own situations while using humor and down to earth conversational tones. The chapters are short with "pull out" quotes for emphasis. You'll find yourself turning pages and wanting to continue with the next chapter because it's like Mr. Day is right there with you chatting about what is so deeply personal and important in your life, the next step. Even more important, you find yourself ready to delve into God's Word and wanting to hear from Him.

I recommend this book for your keeper shelf and to share with others.

A SILKEN THREAD By Kim Vogel Sawyer

I loved this story very much and the style as told from each character's point of view worked very well and kept the story moving right along as if it wasn't a page turner already.

A Silken Thread's setting is about 30 years following the Civil War in Atlanta, Georgia and the author deals with the racism that existed and was aggravated by the emotions evoked from the War. Seeing experiences and feelings through the eyes of Quincey, Willie's friend who is black lent a unique perspective to the story.

Willie and Langston were contrasts in class and character. Laurel began as an immature young lady who deeply cared for her mother and was loyal to family even if her initial goals for husband material were a little misguided.

The Cotton Exposition being held in Atlanta becomes the catalyst for bringing all the characters together. Each has their own desires to achieve. Willie has his ailing Father to support, Laurel, has been dictated by her siblings the responsibility of seeing to her Mother, Langston needs a wife in order to honor the dictates of his parents, Quincey needs money to help his family and more than that, wants respect as a human being and a man.

Against this backdrop, A Silken Thread holds the key if you can find it. I give this 5 stars and my highest recommendation which is to place it on your keeper shelf. Thanks to Waterbrook Multnomah Publishing for allowing me to read this ebook through Netgalley. The opinions expressed are my own.

THE WARRIOR MAIDEN By Melanie Dickerson

The Warrior Maiden is one of many Young Adult novels by Melanie Dickerson and is a great quality romance for any age group but especially for her target audience of which I'm not one.

I enjoyed the story of Mulan and Wolfgang very much. It is loosely based on a fairytale story. Her Characters, descriptions of battle, and scenery are enthralling. I found myself laughing at the twists Mulan finds herself in when she is pretending to be male.

A very enjoyable read I give 4 stars and recommend for all ages. Thanks to Thomas Nelson Publishing for allowing me read this ebook through Netgalley. This review is my expressed honest opinion.

SWEET ON YOU By Becky Wade

Final in a series about the Bradford Sisters, Sweet on You, is a sweet summer read. Becky Wade always draws you in and makes you invest in her characters. I give this 4 stars and recommend it for your summer reading stack.

Youngest sister, Britt is in love but mostly with chocolate and cooking; however, she has a best friend Zander with whom she has a vested interest since they were 14. Zander left for a European Book Tour touting his first novel because his feelings for Britt had evolved to the point he couldn't handle just friends anymore. Now his uncle has died supposedly from a heart attack and he is back.

Zander and Britt have a close relationship, able to finish each others sentences, understanding each other's quirks. They value their friendship so much that they want to protect it at all cost; but, for Zander, the cost could be too much.

They find themselves in the middle of a mystery surrounding the death of Zander's uncle; and even stranger, the fact that he might have been leading a double life. Things escalate to a point of danger and to a point of no turning back in their relationship.

It's worth your time to read but I felt it a little anti-climatic at the end or maybe a lack of closure on so much angst and mystery which is unusual for this author--but that is just my impression--and it did have a HEA ending. It may not seem so to others. I still consider her a favorite author and highly recommend her to you.

Thanks to Bethany House Publishers for allowing me to read this ebook through Netgalley. This review is my expressed honest opinion.

THE UNEXPECTED CHAMPION By Mary Conneally

John McCall is a Pinkerton agent sent to find the Chilton's grandson and bring him back to Philadelphia. But he ends up snowbound in the High Sierras and then arrives in the middle of a gunfight. He finds himself paired with Penny Scott as her family tries to find out who is behind the foul man who tried to murdered them all; but Penny and John are kidnapped and almost murdered. They espcape and after several days of misadventures find themselves back in Dismal and forced to marry at gunpoint.

This is a very fun read with many hilarious parts as well as serious issues that the characters must deal with and solve. Mary Conneally is a master of humorous but romantic historical novels. I highly recommend anything she writes. 

The Unexpected Champion is a part of a series although it could probably stand alone; however knowing the other characters history makes it more enjoyable. 5 Star read. Thanks to Bethany House Publishers for allowing me to read this ebook through Netgalley. This review is my expressed honest opinoion.