Sweet Mercy by Ann Tatlock

Sweet Mercy by Ann Tatlock

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Seventeen year old Eve Marryat is only too happy to leave the crime ridden streets of St. Paul Minnesota and move to her Uncle Cy's vacation lodge in Mercy Ohio.
A staunch supporter of Prohibition, Eve can't imagine why anyone would break the law! After all she is a "good" person, her family has always been "good" people!
But things aren't always as they seem, and maybe her self-righteousness is only a mile wide and a inch deep!
When Eve finds out her very own family is involved in bootlegging all of her idealistic views are suddenly threatened. Is anyone truly good? Can anyone be trusted?

What a wonderful book about "Mercy"!I was touched by the sincerity of the characters in this book. Some surprising plot twists, and a understanding of the verse "love covers the multitudes of sins" (1 Peter 4:8)

Sweet Mercy comes to such a sweet and beautiful conclusion.... "no one is all bad, just as no one is all good" but the love and mercy of Jesus can still cover the sins of even the vilest sinner who will believe on Him!

I received this book free in exchange for an honest review from Bethany House Publishers. The views expressed here are solely mine.




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Her Good Name by Ruth Axtell

Her Good Name by Ruth Axtell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Espy Estrada lives in Holliston Maine at the turn of the 19th century. Born to a low class family Espy desperately desires to further her poor education. She enthusiastically accepts a job as a house maid for a local professor and his wife, she is thrilled with the opportunity to learn from the professor's wealth of knowledge and extensive library but eventually the professor seems to be noticing more than just Espy's aptitude for learning.
When rumors begin flying concerning the much respected Mr. Stockton, Espy's reputation is ruined before she even knows what has happened. She is determined that everything will be figured out and her reputation restored but then her own beau Warren, a wealthy and respected young man of society who has eyes only for Espy loses all faith in her she gives up and leaves town without an explanation.
Will the truth ever be revealed or will her chances at true love and her good name ever be the same?

I thought this book looked boring! Imagine my surprise when I was absolutely hooked about 10 pages into the story!! I would highly recommend this book as a Historical Fiction/ Historical Romance!
Usually I'm not really that into romance novels but I have to say Ruth Axtell threw me for a loop on this one!

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review!



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Gone South ~ Meg Moseley

Gone South by Meg Moseley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Tish Mccomb is enthralled with the quaint Civil War era home that was once owned by her relatives in Alabama. Deciding to take a chance she moves from her comfortable apartment in Michigan and moves to a small town in Jackson Alabama with hopes that old family ties will make fitting in easier. Unbeknownst to her, is a family secret that has ruined any chances of a happy welcome home!
It seems the only people willing to give her a chance is the local antique dealer and a homeless girl Melanie that Tish takes into her new home despite her shady and somewhat checkered past.
Sometimes she is determined to stay and other times loneliness sets in and she wonders why she ever left her home in Michigan to become an object of scorn for the whole town!

I found myself rooting for Melanie through the whole book. Something about a second-chance story that draws me in every time!!
This book is fresh, not a different twist on a popular genre or a retelling of a New York Times Bestseller.. totally unique and innocent. I appreciate that in a book!

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated here are my own.




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Barefoot Summer ~ Denise Hunter

Barefoot Summer by Denise Hunter

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Madison and Bekket are totally incompatible. He's the son of the town drunk, the "Bad Boy of Chapel Springs" and she is a McKinley, one of the most respected families in the whole county.
Bekket has had a crush on Madison since highschool but he knows he'll never be good enough for Madison McKinley. Not only is he a known trouble maker but he also holds a secret concerning the death of Madison's twin brother Michael.
Madison is determined that the good looking, howbeit infamous Bekket O'rielly doesn't even know she exist much less like her. Also she blames him for the disappearence of her sister Jade.
Determined to fulfill her dead brothers dream Madison signs up for boating lessons to compete in a local sailing competition, ironically her "substitute teacher" is none other than Bekket O'rielly. Thrown together by circumstances friendship and eventually love begans to blossom but can thier love grow in the soil of guilt and distrust or will it wilt under the scorching light of secrecy?

O.k, I thought this book read like a soap opera. There's really no plot other than Madison and Bekket finally falling in love and overcoming thier past.
I also thought that for a Christian book the romance could be just a little steamy. While there was no sex the passion did go farther than a goodnight kiss and a warm hug.

I recieved this book free in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed are my own.



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The Call of Zulina by Kay Marshal Strom

The Call of Zulina by Kay Marshall Strom

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I loved everything about this book! The cover is absolutely stunning, the story captivating(howbeit emotional), and the writing is flawless!
Grace Winslow is the daughter of a English slave trader and an African Princess. Raised as a "proper English lass" Grace has always been protected from the horror that her family has imposed on the lives of so many African families. Until a "slave" insist that he is not the true slave but she is. A slave to her fancy privileged lifestyle, her powerful mother and her greedy father.
Determined to prove him wrong she sets out to prove her independence and discovers a tragedy that cannot be ignored. Can she turn back to the life she "can't live without" or take a stand against evil? The choice is not easy and it is not one that can be made without sacrifices either way.

If you are looking for a book that will keep you in an emotional grip from the first page to the last this book should definitely be considered!

I would recommend this book for ages 13 and up.



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Alone Yet Not Alone by Tracy Leininger Craven

Alone Yet Not Alone: Their Faith Became Their Freedom by Tracy Leininger Craven

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is the true story of Barbara and Regina Leininger.
Captured by Indians and separated by everyone they know, including each other. They refuse to loose hope of seeing their family reunited again. They cling to their faith in God, knowing that they are truly never alone.

This story is fascinating especially because it is based off of a true story that actually occurred in the author's family history, however I thought that the simple writing style did the story no justice.
I do think it would be a wonderful book for middle school age children as it is extremely simple in vocabulary and plot.

There is going to be a movie based off of this story coming out on SEPTEMBER 27th!
By the photos in this "movie edition" book I have to say I'm excited about watching it!!!

I received this book free in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.



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Shieldmaidens and Knights of the Prince Facebook!

As you should know if you regularly follow my reviews, I am absolutely in LOVE with the Knights of Arethtrae series by Chuck Black.
If you haven't read his books yet I recommend you stop right now and do so! 
Either way I have created a page inspired by this inspiring series...  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Shieldmaidens-and-Knights-of-the-Prince/653093431387365

Please stop by "Like", "Share", and leave a comment sharing your thoughts and ideas!
See you there!!

"The King reigns... and His Son!"