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Category Archives: Christian Historical Fiction Review Index
Baroness by Susan May Warren
Lily and Rose, daughters of an empire coming of age in the roaring twenties, can have anything they want … except freedom.
Expected to marry well and to take the reins of the empire, they have their lives planned out for them. But, Lily, Esme’s daughter longs to return home to Montana, to adventure outside the confines of New York City. And Jinx’s daughter Rosie dreams of the bright lights of the newly emerging silver screen. But following their dreams – from avant garde France, to Broadway, to the skies in the world of barnstormers and wing-walkers will take all their courage.
And if they find love, will they choose freedom or happily ever after? Continue reading
Love’s Sacred Song by Mesu Andrews
Wisdom came as God’s gift, but sacred love was forged through passion’s fire
Standing in the shadow of his famous father, young King Solomon wavers between fear and bravado, longing for a love that is true and pure–a love that can be his cornerstone.
A shepherdess in the northern city of Shunem, Arielah has known since she first laid eyes on Solomon that it was her destiny to become his bride. When her father secures a promise from Solomon to marry Arielah as a treaty bride to help unite the kingdom, it seems her dreams will come true.
But how can this simple shepherdess live as part of Solomon’s harem? Can Solomon set aside his distractions to give himself completely to just one woman? Or will he let duty, deception, and the daily routine divide his heart?
Mesu Andrews expertly weaves the words of the Song of Solomon into this touching story of the power of love from a master storyteller. Continue reading
Before the Scarlet Dawn by Rita Gerlach
In 1775, Hayward Morgan, a young gentleman destined to inherit his father’s estate in Derbyshire, England, captures the heart of the local vicar’s daughter,
Eliza Bloome. Her dark beauty and spirited ways are not enough to win him, due to her station in life.
Circumstances throw Eliza in Hayward’s path, and they flee to America to escape the family conflicts. But as war looms, it’s a temporary reprieve. Hayward
joins the revolutionary forces and what follows is a struggle for survival, a test of faith, and the quest to find lasting love in an unforgiving wilderness. Continue reading
The Trouble with Brides by Deeanne Gist
Get three historical romances in one omnibus edition from award-winning, bestselling author Deeanne Gist. This special edition introduces new and value-minded readers to Dee’s unbeatable blend of laugh-out-loud humor, poignant drama, and irresistible romance.
Includes three of Dee’s most popular novels: “A Bride Most Begrudging “(more than 170,000 sold ),” Courting Trouble, “and “Deep in the Heart of Trouble.” Continue reading
Sarai by Jill Eileen Smith
He promised her his heart. She promised him a son. But how long must they wait?
When Abram finally requests the hand of his beautiful half sister Sarai, she asks one thing–that he promise never to take another wife as long as she lives. Even Sarai’s father thinks the demand is restrictive and agrees to the union only if she makes a promise in return–to give Abram a son and heir. Certain she can easily do that, Sarai agrees.
But as the years stretch on and Sarai’s womb remains empty, she becomes desperate to fulfill her end of the bargain, lest Abram decide that he will not fulfill his. To what lengths will Sarai go in her quest to bear a son? And how long will Abram’s patience last?
Combining in-depth research and vivid storytelling, Jill Eileen Smith brings to life the beautiful and inscrutable Sarai in this remarkable story of love, jealousy, and undaunted faith.
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The Messenger (Review by Author Holly Weiss)
The publishing industry evidently shies away from books set in Revolutionary times. The inclusion of spy and Quaker elements in The Messenger tipped the industry’s scales, giving us a thought-provoking and entertaining read. The book forces us to determine in what situations spying is acceptable or admirable. Faced with the dilemma, would you choose a cause in which you believe strongly or your faith? Continue reading
Beauty for Ashes by Dorothy Love
She’s a beautiful young widow. He’s a Southern gentleman with a thirst for adventure. Both need a place to call home.
It’s 1876 and eligible bachelors are scarce in Hickory Ridge. But Carrie Daly has found love. Not the weak-in-the-knees kind, but something practical. Still, she isn’t quite ready to set a date with Nate Chastain.
Griff Rutledge is passing through to collect an old debt. Formerly a member of Charleston society, Griff has been estranged from his family for years. Determined to lead an unencumbered life, he is on his way to explore the gold fields and cattle ranches of Australia. But when he’s asked to train a Thoroughbred for an upcoming race in Hickory Ridge, he decides to stay a bit longer.
Despite objections from the townsfolk, and her fear that true happiness has eluded her, Carrie is drawn to Griff’s kindness and charm. But Griff isn’t sure if he wants to settle down. It will take a leap of faith for them to open their hearts and claim God’s promise of beauty for ashes. Continue reading
Heart’s Safe Passage by Laurie Alice Eakes
One woman takes the treacherous journey toward redemption . . . and love.
All Phoebe Lee wants out of life is to practice midwifery in Loudon County, Virginia. But when she refuses to accompany her pregnant sister-in-law to help save her husband from an English prison during the War of 1812, Phoebe finds herself pressed aboard a British privateer.
Captain Rafe Docherty promises to get Phoebe’s brother-in-law out of prison in exchange for information Rafe needs to exact revenge on the man who destroyed his family. As he realizes his attraction to Phoebe, she determines to get ashore before her patient goes into labor–and before her own heart is in danger. But an enemy in their midst threatens to end their plans–and their very lives. Continue reading
Words Spoken True by Ann H. Gabhart
One woman stands ready to defend her newspaper . . . even if it means losing out on love
Adriane Darcy was practically raised in her father’s newspaper offices. With ink in her veins, she can’t imagine life without the clatter of the press and the push to be first to write the news that matters. Their Tribune is the leading paper in Louisville in 1855.
When Blake Garrett, a brash young editor from the North with a controversial new style of reporting, takes over a competing newspaper, the battle for readers gets fierce. After Adriane and Blake meet at a benefit, their surprising mutual attraction is hard to ignore. Still, Blake is the enemy, and Adriane is engaged to the son of a powerful businessman who holds the keys to the Tribune’s future. Blake will stop at almost nothing to get the story–and the girl.
Set against the volatile backdrop of political and civil unrest in 1850s Louisville, this exciting story of love and loyalty will hold you in its grip until the very last page.
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Sonoma Rose by Jennifer Chiaverini (+ Giveaway)
As the nation grapples with the strictures of Prohibition, Rosa Diaz Barclay lives on a Southern California rye farm with her volatile husband, John, who has lately found another source of income far outside the Federal purview.
Mother to eight children, Rosa mourns the loss of four who succumbed to the mysterious wasting disease currently afflicting young Ana and Miguel. Two daughters born of another father are in perfect health. When an act of violence shatters Rosa’s resolve to maintain her increasingly dangerous existence, she flees with the children and her precious heirloom quilts to the mesa where she last saw her beloved mother alive. Continue reading
The Cowboy Tutor by Linda Ford
With the mortgage due and funds scarce, Madge Morgan can’t afford distractions. Especially not from Judd Kirk, her sister Louisa’s meek tutor and—according to their mother’s plans—suitor. Madge’s focus is on her housekeeping job…little knowing Judd’s connection to her employer, or his real reason for coming to Golden Prairie.
At last, Judd has found the man who swindled his mother. Yet if he seeks revenge, he risks losing the one thing he wants even more: a woman with faith enough to rekindle his own. A woman with strong values and a gentle heart. A woman like Madge. Continue reading
Summer of Promise by Amanda Cabot
Though she had planned to spend the summer in Vermont, Abigail Harding cannot dismiss her concerns over her older sister. Charlotte’s letters have been uncharacteristically melancholy, and her claims that nothing is wrong ring false, so Abigail heads west to Fort Laramie, Wyoming. When her stagecoach is attacked, Wyoming promises to be anything but boring. Luckily, the heroics of another passenger, Lieutenant Ethan Bowles, save the day. Continue reading