The Making of Mrs. Hale (Book 3, A Promise of Hope series) by Carolyn Miller

In this third and final book of the A Promise of Hope series, Carolyn Miller shares Julia's story in The Making of Mrs. Hale. 
In the first book of the series, Winning Miss Winthrop, we are left wondering what will happen to Lord Winthrop's sister, Julia, as she runs away to marry Major Thomas Hale against her family's wishes. Now that her husband is no where to be found, Julia contemplates returning home as she is without money for basic human needs. Will her family forgive her for betraying them?

This book explores whether certain sins are too bad to be forgiven. Many times in christian circles, sin is seen as being on different tiers for severity instead of seeing all sin as grievous before God. Of course, different sins do have different consequences. I liked that the author asks the reader through the characters "what do you believe about forgiveness?" The story is interesting as more and more mystery arises as to where Major Hale has been and why he was gone. I like trying to solve a good mystery. I didn't like the major indiscretion by Major Hale after he was married. It kinda sullied the story line for me. I did think that this final book did wrap-up the series well and didn't leave any loose ends concerning the main characters.

Carolyn Miller is writing another set of Regency Brides novels called the Daughters of Aynsley. Which should be interesting since we are introduced to Miss Hatherleigh Aynsley in The Making of Mrs. Hale.
1. A Hero for Miss Hatherleigh--releasing March 19, 2019
2. Underestimating Miss Cecilia--releasing July 23, 2019
3. Misleading Miss Verity--releasing November 19, 2019

My Rating: ★★★

*** I received a complimentary e-book from Kregel Publications on Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Miss Serena's Secret (book 2, A Promise of Hope series) by Carolyn Miller

In the 1800's, a woman's journey into the art world was difficult to accomplish. Her art would only have been seen as a hobby and not up to par with the men. This novel,  Miss Serena's Secret by Carolyn Miller, is the story of Miss Serena Winthrop who has a growing talent for art, but is also trying to protect her scarred heart from the opposite sex that would only use her to their advantage. When Serena meets Viscount Lord Henry Carmichael, she determines not to be seduced by his cunning charm. But after seeing a completely different side of him while visiting his family estate, she begins to wonder if there ever could be anything between the two of them.
The Viscount has an ugly past that is finally catching up with him. After meeting Serena, Henry knows he would never be good enough for her.  Will the longing of his heart ever go away?

This is the second book in Carolyn's A Promise of Hope (Regency Brides) series, and this series is best read in order. The first book is Winning Miss Winthrop and you can read my review of that book by clicking here.

I thought that this book continued the story line well, and I liked that Lavinia and Nicholas Hawkesbury (from A Legacy of Grace series) showed up in the story too. This story included more of the evil intentions of man's heart than the first book.  And it also addresses some of the prejudice against women during this time period. I liked reading about the art of the time and seeing how Serena grew as an artist in spite of adversity. I also liked the way the author conveyed the change in the characters lives as God orchestrated trials which were out of their control to bring them closer to Himself.  And the author's use of Scripture was encouraging. I'm looking forward to picking up the next book in the series, The Making of Mrs. Hale. So make sure to check back soon to see a review of that book too!

My Rating: ★★★★

You can check out Carolyn Miller's Website here. And take a peek at what the author pictured for the characters and the setting for this book by clicking here and visiting Pinterest.


***I received this e-book from Kregel Publications through Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

The Christmas Heirloom by Karen Witemeyer; Kristi Ann Hunter; Sarah Loudin Thomas and Becky Wade

This past Christmas, Bethany House released a book called The Christmas Heirloom which is four holiday novellas by some pretty famous christian fiction writers--Karen Witemeyer, Kristi Ann Hunter, Sarah Loudin Thomas and Becky Wade.
These stories intertwine as a family heriloom is passed down through the generations from mother to daughter.

I loved this set of stories. They were engaging and entertaining. Bethany House put together a great team of writers and I thought the stories gave all the warm, endearing feelings that you would expect from a set of books set during the Christmas season. I love how the jewlery is passed down through each story as each family's story is so different from the others. Having read Becky Wade's Bradford Sisters series, it was fun connecting to familiar characters in her story.
If you are looking for a fun set of short stories, make sure to pick up this novella set and add it to your home library. And when the Christmas season rolls around again, don't forget to add this book to your gift giving list for your friends and family.

***I received this complimentary e-book from Bethany House Publishers through Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Of Fire and Lions by Mesu Andrews

Many of us who grew up in the church are very familiar with the Bible stories of Daniel being thrown into the lions den and Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego being cast into the fiery furnace. But how many of us have actually thought about what these amazing stories where like for the real people that lived them? New this week, Of Fire and Lions by Mesu Andrews is a novel that takes the reader through these very stories, and helps the reader's mind to imagine what life would of been like for these Hebrew captives in the land of Babylon.

From the Back Cover:
Belili wears her children's disdain like a heavy cloak. The weight of their contempt threatens to crush her spirit, but she has perfected the art of survival. She first learned it when she escaped death nearly seventy years ago as the Babylonians ransacked Jerusalem and took its finest young people as captives. Years later she survived among idol worshippers and in King Nebuchadnezzar's court by donning an identity that shrouded her with guilt and shame.
She's kept secrets from Daniel, her childhood friend and the love of her life, but as the Medo-Persian Army invades, the thread of Belili's deception unravels and her tightly wound secrets begin to unfurl.
When tensions mount in the land of their exile, Belili will do anything to keep her family safe even though each step leads them closer to the truth. Will Daniel die in a pit of lions before she can make things right between them? Or will the God who rescued Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego save her husband and replace her spirit of heaviness with a garment of praise?

My Thoughts:
This story was so interesting in spite of being a story that I've known since I was a child. Reading through this novel with all the added historical context was eye-opening since my western mindset has a hard time understanding all the religious and cultural differences that would of been present in the land of Babylon. I think this story helped me to think through the Biblical context better and brought the Hebrew captives' story to life. Of course, the author has filled in the details we do not know and given her perspective of what could of possibly been going on behind the scenes.  So we must read keeping that perspective in mind. I thought this book was a fun read, and it made me want to re-read the biblical story of Daniel and his Hebrew friends to see what we actually do know from scripture.

My Rating: ★★★★

About the Author:

I’ve been married to Roy Andrews since 1984—who I’ve known since we were both third-graders. You can read more about our story in my Personal Testimony. We have two grown daughters. They’re married now and presenting us with adorable grand babies—our reward for not killing them when they were children. Family adds the spice to my life and keeps my nose buried in my Bible!
During my younger years, I was an over-the-top extrovert; however, in 1997 My Chronic Illness Battle began a transformation that changed the core of my being. I once thrived on people, teaching, speaking. DO-ing ministry of every kind, but when I could no longer DO ministry they way I’d once done it, I had to learn a new way to BE content. You can download a free copy of the Daily Scripture Prayer that helped me through that transition.
God never wastes our suffering, and it was during those long hours, days, and weeks in bed that my passion for biblical novels awakened. Now I love to read it AND write it.

Visit her website: Mesu Andrews

***I received this complimentary book from Waterbrook. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

With This Pledge (A Carnton Novel) by Tamera Alexander

Take a trip back in history as Tamera Alexander’s newest book, With This Pledge, takes a look at the historic battle of Franklin, Tennessee at the end of the Civil War. In spite of all the horrific tragedy and pain of war going on around them, Miss Elizabeth Clouston and Captain Roland Ward Jones find a growing attraction to each other. This historic story is actually based on their true love story and taken from real letters they wrote to each other.

This is one of those stories that will stay with you for a long time after you read it. The story was beautifully told and truly painted a vivid scene of the realities many faced as the North and South fought against each other. I cannot imagine the horror of having a battle fought in my own "backyard" and seeing hundreds of wounded men needing help. I thought the characters of the story were well-developed, and I liked how they invited the reader into their journey as they shared their stories. The author did a wonderful job with historical accuracy, and it is plain to see that she did a lot of research to put this book together. This story is definitely one to add to your home library.  All fans of historical fiction will love it!  Also, there was a previous novella before With This Pledge that introduced this new 3 book series. The novella is called, Christmas at Carnton. So make sure to pick that one up too! Look for the following two books for this series next year (2020).

My Rating: ★★★★★

***I received this complimentary book from BookLook Bloggers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.