EVER FAITHFUL By Karen Barnett

Karen Barnett's books with National Parks as the background are a very enjoyable read. I especially enjoyed Ever Faithful. It was nostalgic, romantic, and intriguing all at the same time. 

Elsie Brooks is a park ranger's daughter who has worked summers in the parks most of her life. She is trying to earn enough money to go to college to be a teacher. This summer she ends up with a teaching job at the Civilian Conservation Corp Camp. There she meets Nate Webber who is a very responsible person with leadership qualities; however he seems to avoid her and any homework she hands out. Then she stumbles on the fact that Nate can't read and offers to tutor him in private. As they meet for his lessons, they develop more than a friendship for each other. Things become complicated, however, when suspicions fall on Nate for being the arsonist setting fires in the park.

This is one of my favorites so far by Karen and I highly recommend it with 5 stars. Thanks to Waterbrook and Multnomah for providing this ebook through Netgalley. The opinions expressed are my own.

MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY By Karen Witemeyer

Ms. Witemeyer always writes good books. I can't wait for her next title in a series, they are always detailed in description and character. Her plots are always full of twists and turns and her character's either are eccentric or have unusual occupations. More than Words can Say is a follow up to More than meets the eye. If you read More than Meets the Eye then you found yourself wanting to know more of Zacharias Hamilton, a tough introvert, with a big heart. 

In More than Words Can Say, Zacharias meets his match in Abigail Kemp. She is a feisty, outgoing young lady who knows what she wants...and what she wants is to keep her Bakery Business going and remain the Woman Entrepreneur she longs to be. To do that she has to find a husband, quick, to be her, in name only, partner so that the town council will allow her bakery to stay in business and she can continue to run things as she has.

Zacharias finds himself agreeing to the unusual contract because he's attracted to Abigail and her sticky buns; but Zacharias is not a pushover. Still he becomes a strong supporter of Abby the longer they continue their budding relationship.

Both have deep secrets that could undermine their, in name only, marriage but this read is worth the time to find out what those secrets are and how everything turns out, no pun intended. I received this ebook through Netgalley from Bethany House. The opinions expressed are my own.

THE NOBLE GUARDIAN By Michelle Griep

This is one of my favorites in a while. It is the last in a series about the Bowstreet Runners but can stand alone. I definitely recommend it for your keeper shelf. From the opening scenes you are thrust into a world of adventure, action, and simmering romance.

Abigail Gilbert has been thrust out to travel alone and unguarded, except for a ladie's maid, across a dangerous expanse of country to get to her intended. Although, it does seem strange that a man who is claiming her for his bride is not concerned that she safely get to him. She is rescued by Samuel Thatcher, a horse patrol captain, who is a dark brooding man and extremely miffed with her for traveling unguarded.

She attempts to purchase Samuel's services but he has a job to do and his life is in danger from the biggest thug in the area since he killed the man's brother in saving Abigail and her ladie's maid.

In the end, Samuel ends up escorting Abigail the rest of the way along with a child that an old friend has gotten him to promise to deliver to her aunt. Things go from bad to worse along the way and Samuel is forced to use his expertise to rescue Abigail several more times. Abigail, finds herself falling in love with the enigmatic Captain and with the motherless child.

Abigail arrives at her intended's home with a severely wounded Captain and child in tow to find all is not as she expects. You definitely will want to read this one. Thanks to Barbour Publishing for allowing me to read this ebook through Netgalley. The views and opinions expressed are my own.

VERITY By Lisa T. Bergren

Those who founded the New World had to be strong courageous people. Verity is about a strong woman with sisters just as strong. This is the second in a series by Lisa T. Bergren, The Sugar Baron's Daughters. 

Verity has been awaiting the return of the man she loves, a sea captain, expecting to become engaged on his return. After, not hearing from him, and needing to restock the store she runs on her island home in the West Indies, she sails for New York to see relatives, restock her supplies, and find news of Captain Duncan Mckintrick. However, she finds Captain Mckintrick in jail--but it's not Duncan but Ian his brother and Ian has tragic news for Verity.

Ian has pledged to find those responsible for his brother's demise. In the meantime, he finds himself drawn into the Rebel's cause in the colonies and against his home country of England.

Having met Verity, he finds they are mutually grieving his brother and his brother has left horses intended for Verity so he takes his ship to help Verity ferry her goods home. He begins to have feelings for Verity and she for him and return but they both feel guilt because of Duncan. At home, Verity and her sisters have their own troubles with an abusive man who disagrees with their stance for freed men versus slavery. This same man has come into power and has no qualms misusing it.

Ian sails back for the colonies and finds trouble waiting for him while Verity runs into her own share of trouble. When will Ian return? Will it be too late? Will their love be torn apart by the looming Revolution for freedom? A very satisfying read. Thanks to Bethany House Publishers for allowing me to read this book through Netgalley. The views and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

A MODEST INDEPENDENCE By Mimi Matthews

The story of Jenny Holloway and Tom Finch is a very romantic read. They both find themselves drawn to each other but prefer to pursue their own interests above a relationship.

Jenny wants to use her recently acquired modest indepence to travel and while she's at it discover what really happened to the Earl of Castleton in India.

Tom wants to continue his safe and secure existence as a solicitor. But, when Jenny approaches him with the desire to use her funds to travel to India. He balks at her traveling unaccompanied. He finds that he has feelings for her and he hopes he can persuade her that she has feelings for him in return.

As they travel from London across seas, through, Egypt, and then India, they find themselves taking liberties and in each other's arms. It is a struggle to maintain their ruse of brother and sister to protect Jenny's reputation. 

Ms. Matthews does a great job with describing the angst of their relationship, allowing, the romance to blossom, while describing the scenic backdrop, and including a little mystery as well.

But will Jenny choose Tom or her new found freedom...and Tom will he let go of Jenny because he loves her? This is a great read, 5 stars, worth your investment of time. Thanks to Victory Editing for allowing me to read this ebook through Netgalley. The opinions expressed are my own.

DRIFTWOOD BAY By Irene Hannon

Irene Hannon is already one of my favorite authors for romantic suspense; but Driftwood Bay is more on the line of simple contemporary romance. Still, it is very good and grabs your attention from the beginning. Dr. Logan West has relocated to the town of Hope Harbor with a grief stricken little girl and destructive pup in hand. He is struggling with the single Father status and finds his neighbor has built walls around herself both literally and physically. 

Jeannette, despite her desire of solitude, finds herself drawn to the little girl, Molly, and to the persevering Doctor who has changed his life completely to help his charge.

Throw in the town of Hope Harbor has decided to befriend a syrian immigrant family who have lost much from their war ravaged home including a wife, father, and brother--leaving a motherless child with a father who has with drawn.

This is another wonderful read from a great series that I highly recommend for your reading shelf. Thanks to Revell Publishing for allowing me to read this book from Netgalley. The opinions expressed are my own.

THE ARTFUL MATCH By Jennifer Delamere

Last in the London Beginnings series, The Artful Match can stand alone. It is a delightful tale that follows Cara Bernay in her search for work and a home for survival while she pursues her gift of art. Cara has recently lost her job as a Nanny due to her brief lapse in judgement which put a child in harm's way. She has decided not to pursue being a child's Governess ever again; however, when she meets Langham Burke an aspiring artist with issues of his own, she finds herself on her way to his country estate under the protection of his brother Henry Burke the Earl of Marstowe. Henry is burdened with the debt of their estate and the precocious child whom everyone believes is his and he knows to be Langham's. 

Cara is drawn into helping with the child against her better judgement but she has a gift with children. She is also drawn to Henry and feels he reciprocates the feelings until a visiting family with a marriageble aged daughter come to visit and Cara is relegated to servant status.

The misunderstandings and mysteries escalate to a near tragic ending. This book is well worth your time and earns 5 stars. Thanks to Bethany House Publisher's for allowing me to read this book throug Netgalley. The views expressed are my own opinion.