Review: Genteel Secrets

Book Title: Genteel Secrets
Author: S. R. Mallery
Genres: 1860-1865 Civil War, Historical Fiction, Romance, Historical Romance, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense
ISBN: 9781539913528 (153991352X)
ASIN: 153991352XPublisher:  CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Publish Date: 2016-12-07 (110 Pages, Paperback)
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from +AuthorCrossPromotions for an honesty review. I thank them and the author for a chance to read the book and review it. My opinion are not influenced by the author or my ratings
Description: What do a well-bred Southern Belle and a Northern working class Pinkerton detective have in common? Espionage . . . and romance. At the start of the U.S. Civil War, while young men begin dying on American battlefields and slavery is headed toward its end, behind the scenes, female undercover work and Pinkerton intelligence are alive and well. But in the end, can this unlikely Romeo and Juliet couple’s love survive, or will they be just another casualty of war?

Ever wonder what it would like to be a part of civil war or at the beginning of it. I have been interested in my own country’s battles and the war over slavery. That would be the Civil War that takes place in my America history.

I was have been born in the northern part of the civil war. Making me not have slaves. I would not be a slave owner. To me that owing other human beings is something which never happened. I am not one that ignore the fact that it happen though.

I would have let slaves be humans but that me. I know about my civil war in my American history. Genteel Secrets is about a woman that is forced to be a confederacy spy. It tell as story of someone that is against slavery but is born in the south and raised with slaves. It also tell the story of a Pinkerton detective.

The author does a good job portray what Washington and what some folk trying to help the south and some important events and people with helping the South win the Civil war. They seem to be against the government and Lincoln.

Will a northerner and Southern belle be able to survive and live a happy life? You will need to read to find out. If you are into American history this is also a good book to tell about south culture and a bit of the beginning of the Civil War.

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The Mapmakers Children

Book Title: THE MAPMAKER'S CHILDREN
Author: Sarah McCoy
Genre: Historical Fiction, 1860-1865 Civil War, Mystery, Slavery,
Publisher: Broadway Books (336 Pages, Paperback)
Publish Date: February 9, 2016
Disclaimer: I recieved this book free from +trish collins and their publisher for an honest review.
Description: Have you ever wondered if your decisions could change the course of history? Questioned whether or not bad things happen for a reason? In Sarah McCoy's THE MAPMAKER'S CHILDREN: A Novel (in paperback February 9, 2016), two women's lives are inextricably linked as they struggle through personal conflicts and wade through mysterious secrets. As the chapters alternate between these two commanding female protagonists, the reader must redefine courage, family, and destiny alongside these two remarkable women.

Sarah Brown, the fiercely independent daughter of abolitionist John Brown, is a talented artist in 1860's West Virginia. When Sarah discovers that she cannot bear children, she turns her skills toward helping others and becomes one of the foremost mapmakers for the Underground Railroad. Taking cues from Slave Quilt codes, she hides maps within her paintings as the United States moves toward a bloody civil war.

Over one hundred and fifty years later, Eden Anderson, a modern-day woman struggling to conceive a child, moves into an old house in West Virginia as a last-ditch effort to save her marriage and start a family. When she stumbles across part of an old porcelain doll in the root cellar, Eden slowly uncovers a dramatic connection to the Underground Railroad.

McCoy, whose novel The Baker's Daughter was a nominee for the 2012 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Historical Fiction, spent three years researching the Brown family history. This research became the basis for her inventive narrative, one in which McCoy honorably portrays the spirit of the real Sarah Brown and imagines her ties to the fictional Eden. Skillfully plotted and magnificently transporting, THE MAPMAKER'S CHILDREN highlights the power of community and legacy, illustrating the ways in which history and destiny are interconnected on one enormous, intricate map.

Purchase Links

Amazon | IndieBound | Barnes & Noble

I loved this book with each turn of the page. It gave you two stories that went well together. You get a modern mystery. You also learn about history at that time.

This book has you learn about Sarah and her family. We learn about slavery and what it like to be a part of the UGRR? The historical fiction and story go through the past to the future.

What will happen to Sarah and helping other by being so brave? The abolitionist John Brown has a daughter that might really be talented. She and Eden have something in common. Will Eden uncover the secrets of the past to the future?

You do learn about slavery and what our country was going through at that time. Eden may find a story that connects to the Hills from the past to present.

SARAH McCOY is the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of the 2012 Goodreads Choice Award for Best Historical Fiction nominee The Baker's Daughter as well as The Time It Snowed in Puerto Rico and the novella "The Branch of Hazel" in Grand Central. She has taught English writing at Old Dominion University and at the University of Texas at El Paso. She calls Virginia home but presently lives with her husband and their dog, Gilly, in El Paso, Texas.

Sarah enjoys connecting with her readers on Twitter at @SarahMMcCoy, on her Facebook Fan Page or via her website, www.sarahmccoy.com.





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Hearts Made Whole by Jody Hedlund

Book Title: Hearts Made Whole
Author: Jody Hedlund
Genre: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Series, Historical Romance, 1860-1865 Civil War, 1866-1877 Reconstruction
Series: Beacons of Hope #2
Publisher: Bethany House
Publish Date: June 2, 2015 (384 Pages, Paperback)
Where to Buy: Author Website
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book from +Litfuse Publicity Group for an honest review that in a book tour
Description: After her father's death, Caroline Taylor has grown confident running the Windmill Point Lighthouse. But in 1865 Michigan, women aren't supposed to have such roles, so it's only a matter of time before the lighthouse inspector appoints a new keeper---even though Caroline has nowhere else to go and no other job available to her.

Ryan Chambers is a Civil War veteran still haunted by the horrors of battle. He's secured the position of lighthouse keeper mostly for the isolation---the chance to hide from his past is appealing. He's not expecting the current keeper to be a feisty and beautiful woman who's angry with him for taking her job and for his inability to properly run the light. When his failings endanger others, he and Caroline realize he's in no shape to run the lighthouse, but he's unwilling to let anyone close enough to help. Caroline feels drawn to this wounded soul, but with both of them relying on that single position, can they look past their loss to a future filled with hope...and possibly love?

We meet Caroline Taylor and her family. What a story this. We see Ryan Chamber who has gotten the cross from his sister, Emma in the first book called "Love Unexpected".

We learn about how Caroline Taylor deals with her loss of her father. We see how she deals with raising her siblings. Caroline finds out from the lighthouse inspector that he hired a man for the job of the lighthouse keeper.

Then we meet up with Ryan Chambers at the Roadside Inn. He asks for directions to the Windmill Point Lighthouse. The story get better has you turn the page. Things start getting worse for them. What is going on in this community and at the Windmill Point Light?

There seems to be action at every turn. Mr. Simmons and Mr. Finich seems to want Caroline out of the lighthouse but why. We meet Arnie Simmons and seem eager to want Caroline Taylor. Will Arnie stop at nothing to get Caroline Taylor? Surprises await them all. Can Ryan and Caroline learn to trust in faith, hope and forgiveness?

The author writes another fastening story. I can not wait to continue on with the next book. Want to learn about Emma and her brother Ryan prior to Ryan getting the cross or how he had the cross? You can read my review to "Love Unexpected" to find the answer.

 Don't miss Jody Hedlund's new book, Hearts Made Whole, a story of loss, forgiveness, hope, and true love set in 1865 Michigan. When Ryan's failings endanger others, he and Caroline realize he’s in no shape to run the lighthouse, but he’s unwilling to let anyone close enough to help. Can Caroline forgive the hurting man who costs her the role she loves?

Celebrate the release of Hearts Made Whole by entering to win an Afternoon at the Beach prize pack and RSVPing to Jody's June 23rd author chat party!

 

One grand prize winner will receive:

• A copy of Hearts Made Whole
• A picnic basket set
• A beach bag
• Flip flops
• A beach towel

One second-place winner will receive:

• A copy of Hearts Made Whole
• A lighthouse journal

One third-place winner will receive:

• A copy of Hearts Made Whole
• A lighthouse necklace

 

Enter today by clicking the icon below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on June 23rd.Winner will be announced June 23rd at Jody's Facebook party. RSVP here!

Jody Hedlund is an award-winning and bestselling historical fiction author. She won the 2011 Inspirational Reader's Choice Award, the 2011 Award of Excellence from the Colorado Romance Writers and was a finalist for Best Debut Novel in the 2011 ACFW Carol Awards. Currently she makes her home in central Michigan, with her husband and five busy children. She loves hearing from readers on Facebook and on her blog.

Find Jody online: website, Twitter, Facebook



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Review: The Quilted Heart

Book Title: The Quilted Heart
Author: Mona Hodgson
Publisher: WaterBrook Press
Pub Date: January 21, 2014
Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Civil War, Series
Series: Quilted Hearts
Declaimer: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Press. I did it for an honesty review. They have not told me what to write or what way to do it.

Description: Like a beautiful patchwork quilt, the three novellas in The Quilted Heart tell stories of lives stitched together with love and God’s unending grace.

Once a week, Elsa Brantenberg hosts the Saint Charles Quilting Circle at her farmhouse on the outskirts of the riverside town of St. Charles, Missouri. The ladies who gather there have all experienced heartache related to the intense hardships of the Civil War, and together, they are facing their painful circumstances with friendship and prayer. Can the tattered pieces of their hearts be stitched together by God’s grace?

Dandelions on the Wind
When Maren Jensen took a job on Elsa Brantenberg’s St. Charles, Missouri farm, she never expected to call the place her home. As she grows to love Mrs. Brantenberg and her granddaughter, Gabi, Maren is transformed from a lonely mail-order bride-without-a-groom to a beloved member of the Brantenberg household. But when Gabi’s father, Rutherford “Wooly” Wainwright, returns to the farm unexpectedly, everything changes for Maren, and she feels compelled to find another job. Are her choices in obedience to God, or is she running from His plan?

Bending Toward the Sun
Dedicated to her education and to helping her father in his general store, Emilie Heinrich is convinced she doesn't have time for love. But when a childhood friend returns to St. Charles, Missouri, after serving in the Civil War, his smile and charm captures Emilie’s eye and her heart. Will she be forced to choose between honoring her father and a future with a husband and family of her own?

Ripples Along the Shore
Change is brewing in St. Charles. A group of brave souls are preparing to head west on the Boone's Lick Wagon Train, led by the mysterious and handsome Garrett Cowlishaw, who served as a Confederate soldier in the war that killed Caroline’s husband. Despite her dislike for him, Caroline is tempted to join the wagon train and start fresh somewhere new, but when Mr. Cowlishaw forbids her—a single woman—to travel with them, will one man’s prejudice destroy Caroline’s hope for a new future? Or will the ripples of God’s love bring the answer she needs?

Thoughts: I just loves series. I have already review the first book to this series. I really like learning about Civil War era. I do not know what bring it out or if it the writing. I just enjoy the story behind it. You can learn so much. Why it just a wonderful thing to see the bonds of friendship and what all can bring people together. The stories are all different but it all great to read. To me it just makes me wonder and these stories also take me back in that time era. What life might have been if I was born in that era.

Site Reviews:

Rating:

Review: Prairie Song

Book Title: Prairie Song
Author: Mona Hodgson
Series: Hearts Seeking Home #1
Genres: Christian Fiction, Romance, Historical Fiction,
Publisher: WaterBrook Press
Pub: August 6th 2013 (320 Pages, Paperbook)
Book Source: Receive for free and I did not have to review it unless I want to and I want to for the fact I could do giveaway of the book if I win.

Synopsis:
The first step in a challenging journey is often the one that means the most. 
 
Though it means saying goodbye to the beloved friends and spiritual mentors of her St. Charles, Missouri quilting circle, Anna Goben is certain that she needs to enlist her family in the Boones Lick Company wagon train. The loss of her beloved brother in the Civil War has paralyzed her mother and grandfather in a malaise of grief and depression and Anna is convinced that only a fresh start in the Promised Land of California can bring her family back to her. Although the unknown perils of the trail west loom, Anna’s commitment to caring for her loved ones leaves no room for fear—or even loving someone new.

During the five-month journey, trail hand Caleb Reger plans to keep a low profile as he watches over the band of travelers. Guarding secrets about his past and avoiding God’s calling on his life, Caleb wants to steer as far from Anna as she does him, but she proves to be just as he assessed her from the beginning— independent, beautiful trouble.

Led by a pillar of hope, the group faces rough terrain that begins to take a toll on their spirits. Will the wilderness of suffering lead them astray, or will the gentle song of love that echoes across the prairie turn their hearts toward God’s grace and the promise of a new home?

My Thoughts:
This book is really good. I loved it from the beginning. You will be reminded of a book from the other series that you may think that it connected to it. It was really intruding. You will learn how to deal with some really serious issues.

The issues are a various of different things. One person in this book can show how they deal with geif and it not all good. You get to experience some things going on Trail as well. I would recommend this book to any one that likes historical fiction, a bit of civil war era, romance.

Though I am not going to make you decide I will let you decide for yourself if you want to read it or not and rate for yourself.

My Reviews: Goodreads/ Shelfari/ Librarything/ Novel Crossing

My Rating:

Review: Dandelions on the Wind

Book Title: Dandelions on the Wind
Author: Mona Hodgson
Publisher: WaterBrook Press
Pub Date: February 19, 2013
Genre: Christian Fiction, Christian Historical Fiction, Historical Fiction
Series: Quilted Hearts #1
Book Source: E-book, Honesty Review for Blogging for Books

Synopsis:
When Maren Jensen took a job on Elsa Brantenberg’s St. Charles, Missouri farm, she never expected to call the place her home. As she grows to love Mrs. Brantenberg and her granddaughter, Gabi, Maren is transformed from a lonely mail-order bride-without-a-groom to a beloved member of the Brantenberg household.

But when Gabi’s father, Rutherford “Wooly” Wainwright, returns to the farm unexpectedly, everything changes for Maren. Despite the failing eyesight that caused her suitor to reject her, she can see that Wooly desperately needs to reconnect with the family he abandoned when his grief sent him running toward the army—and into the Civil War. She also senses there could be something more between the widower and herself, if either can move beyond their past hurts.

Comforted and counseled by the wisdom of the women in her beloved quilting circle, Maren begins to discover the cost such decisions demand of her heart. Are her choices in obedience to God, or is she running from His plan? Is it too late for love to be stitched into the fabric of her life?
My Thoughts:

Maren is helping a widow raise her granddaughter after a war. But soon something unexpected happens. Wooly come back and wants to raise his daughter. His grandmother has a hard time welcoming her son in law back from the war.

Did the war break a family or did the loss to almost everything also destroy the family. Wooly come back he want to see his daughter and help around the farm. He has his regrets as well as Maren. Can both get over past hurts or will their be no second chance at love.


My Reviews: Goodreads/ Shelfari/ LibraryThing/ Novel Crossing/ Barnes and Noble/

My Rating:

Review: All Things New

Book Title: All Things New
Author:  Lynn Austin
Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Civil War
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Pub Date: October 2012 (416 Pages, Paperback)
Book Source: Won in a Giveaway on Early Reviewer

Synopsis:
In the aftermath of the Civil War, Josephine Weatherly and her mother, Eugenia, struggle to pick up the pieces of their lives when they return to their Virginia plantation. But the bitter realities of life after the war cannot be denied: their home and land are but shells of their previous grandeur; death has claimed her father and brother; and her remaining brother, Daniel, has returned home bitter and broken. The privileged childhood Josephine enjoyed now seems like a long-ago dream. And the God who failed to answer any of her prayers during the war is lost to her as well.

Josephine soon realizes that life is now a matter of daily survival--and recognizes that Lizzie, as one of the few remaining servants, is the one she must rely on to teach her all she needs to know. Josephine's mother, too, vows to rebuild White Oak... but a bitter hatred fuels her.

With skill and emotion, Lynn Austin brings to life the difficult years of the Reconstruction era by interweaving the stories of three women--daughter, mother, and freed slave--in a riveting tale.
My Thoughts:
This book I loved. I was so into the book. It surely talks about what life was like once the Civil War ended. The North won. It tell about the south trying to get life back to normal and how they wanted the way it was. This book show you of how some slaves were treated during this time.

It tell a story about slave were once they were treated. There another story though as well but it I do not want to give way much. If you enjoy Historical fiction or History of America this is really a good book to read. If you do not read Historical Fiction, I still recommend it you for it something to read and different then your your normal genre. You choose for yourself.

Book Reviews: Goodread/ Shelfari/ LibraryThing/

My Rating:

Review: A Sound Among the Trees

Title of Book: A Sound Among the Trees
Author: Susan Meissner
Genre: Civil War, Historical Fiction, Military, Romance, Young Adult, Adult, Mystery
Publisher: WaterBrook Multnomah
Pub Date: October 4 , 2011 (336 Pages, Paperback)
Book Source: Paperback
Author Contact: Twitter / Website /

Synopsis:
A house shrouded in time.
A line of women with a heritage of loss.As a young bride, Susannah Page was rumored to be a Civil War spy for the North, a traitor to her Virginian roots. Her great-granddaughter Adelaide, the current matriarch of Holly Oak, doesn’t believe that Susannah’s ghost haunts the antebellum mansion looking for a pardon, but rather the house itself bears a grudge toward its tragic past.When Marielle Bishop marries into the family and is transplanted from the arid west to her husband’s home, it isn’t long before she is led to believe that the house she just settled into brings misfortune to the women who live there.With Adelaide’s richly peppered superstitions and deep family roots at stake, Marielle must sort out the truth about Susannah Page and Holly Oak— and make peace with the sacrifices she has made for love.

My Thoughts:
The young bride that moves into her husband's first wife home is first scared that there a ghost in the house. She not understand what it was doing to the people inside the home or what the people inside the house was doing to the family.

A mystery unfolds itself though Marielle. Caroline come home to help explain what was going on and what was happening Carson and her mother. Her mother does not know what going but think the house is stuck. Things start to clear up about Susannah Page in letters when Caroline less her in on what the truth is and what is happening.

I do not want to give away how it ends or any of the secret the books has to offer. Though I will tell you it tell you about the part of the Civil War and the Battle of Fredericksburg. It tell about romance and in love. But I will let you decide If you want to pick it up and want to read. Just because I like to read about Civil War a bit does not mean you would not to so you may decide that you want so I will let you decide for yourself. Now if I were asked I recommend this book for sure.

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My Rating:

Note: "I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. It is my honesty Review."

Review: Beloved Enemy

Title of Book: Beloved Enemy
Author: Al Lacy
Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Civil War, Fiction
Series: Battles of Destiny # 3
Publishers: Multnomah
Pub Date: February 1, 1994 (356 Pages, Paperback)
Book Source: Paperback, Sent to me from Waterbrook for Review
Contact Author: Al Lacy
Where to Buy: Waterbrook multnomah

Synopsis:
Jenny's allegiance lay with the Confederate Army. But her heart belonged to the enemy. Faithful to her family and the land of her birth, young Jenny Jordan covers for her father's Confederate spy missions. But as she grows closer to handsome Union soldier Buck Brownell. Jenny finds herself torn between devotion to the South and her feelings for the man she is forbidden to love. Overwhelmed by pressure to assist the South, Jenny agrees to carry critical information over enemy lines. But when she is caught in Buck Brownell's territory, will he follow orders to execute the beautiful spy or find a way to save his Beloved Enemy?

My Thoughts:
This book is got me hooked as soon as I started reading the Preface. This book is great for though that love the Civil War. I got this book and started reading before the other two in this series. This book is Fiction somewhat. There is some true folks from our true american History that is in this book along with some fiction folks.

This book is based on the start of the Civil War. It starts out with Abraham Lincoln traveling to the White House. Then it goes into the Battle of Bull Run. There is some really interesting things and our history in this book. I do not want to spoil the book by giving any thing away. If you have not read this book I strongly read it. My mom is quite interested in reading the book and she barely picks up the same books as I do. If you want to read about the Civil War then I suggest that you read this book called "Beloved Enemy".

You read about the Lincons In Ingratiation and the Battle of Bull Run Creek and who start the Civil war.You   learn about Confederate Spies and what happens to them. This is something I would recommend to everyone to read.

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My Rating:

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Note: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. My review is reflected by feeling and thought on the overview of the book.