A Chance at Forever by Melissa Jagears

     Determined to proctect the children of Teaville, Kansas, from the bullying she experienced as a child, Mercy McClain finds fulfillment working at the local orphanage and serving on the school board. When Aaron Firebrook, the worst of her childhood bullies, petitions the board for a teaching position, she's dead set against his getting the job.

     Aaron knows he deserves every bit of Mercy's mistrust, but he's returned to his hometown a changed man and is seeking the forgiveness of those he wronged. He doesn't expect Mercy to like him, but surely he can prove he now has the children's best interests at heart.

     Will resentment and old wounds hold them back, or can Mercy and Aaron overcome the past in time to battle the threats against the future of the town's orphan's?

MY THOUGHTS:

I am a huge fan of Melissa Jagear's work and I have patiently waited for her newest novel, A Chance at Forever, the third book in her "Teaville Moral Society" series. This newest book is a story of faith, love, redemption, and forgiveness.

The main characters, Mercy and Aaron, have issues from their past and present that they are trying to overcome. Aaron, in his youth, was known as George and he was a class A bully. It just so happened that Mercy was one of his targets as she has a deformed arm that he poked fun at. Mercy has a hard time believing Aaron has changed but the more time she spends with him and observes how he interacts with the orphans she soon finds that maybe more than just his name has changed.

This book is a beautiful story of love and how when we turn our lives over to God, things can change.

I would highly suggest this book to anyone who loves a good clean historical novel.

On a 5-Star scale = 5 Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank the author Melissa Jagears and Bethany House Publishers for my copy of A Chance at Forever. I received my complimentary copy with no expectations of a positive review.

Smiles & Blessings,

Hearts Entwined - Four Historical Romance Novellas of Love (With a Twist of Humor)

Hearts Entwined is a book filled with four novellas by authors Karen Witemeyer, Mary Connealy, Regina Jennings, and Melissa Jagears. They are stories of love with some humor mixed in.

FROM THE BACK COVER:

"The Love Knot" (Karen Witemeyer) - When Claire Nevin's troubled younger sibling sends her an unexpected package by rail, the gift and the man who delivers it--an unexpected face from the past--threaten to upend Claire's life forever. Fighting to hold on to all she has built, will she lose what matters most?

"The Tangled Ties That Bind" (Mary Connealy) - Connor Kincaid returns home determined to win the hand of the woman he was too young for when he left. But Maggie is training to be a doctor in a distant town, while Connor's about to settle on a ranch. Will either be willing to give up their dream? Or will they both have to give up the love of a lifetime?

"Bound and Determined" (Regina Jennings) - As punishment for his recklessness, Private Bradley Willis is sent on an errand to help a retired cavalry officer move a herd across Indian Territory. No one told him the herd would be camels instead of cattle, nor that the officer's headstrong daughter, Ambrosia Herald, would seem to be trying to undermine the whole enterprise. He's definitely been saddled with more than he's bargained for.

"Tied and True" (Melissa Jagears) - Wealthy Marianne Lister is in love with business assistant Calvin Hochstetler, but he can't see past the difference din their socail status. When Marianne takes a job to prove that she is prepared for a life of hard work alongside the man of her dreams, will it be enough to convince Calvin to risk it all for love?

MY THOUGHTS:

I do love books that include several novellas as they are great books to carry with me when I have to sit waiting for appointments. This book is exceptionally good because I enjoy all four authors. However, for this blog I am highlighting Tied and True by Melissa Jagears.

Ms. Jagears always presents a sweet romance with strong storylines. I love the characters in this novella and how the author showed that stations in life really don't matter as long as you have the love of the Lord in your hearts.

The heroine, Marianne Lister comes from a wealthy family but has cared for Calvin Hochstetler, a business assistant, for a long time. She flirts with him but he keeps his distance as he knows his station in life is far below hers. But Marianne's heart belongs to Calvin and she is detemined to prove to him that money doesn't mean anything to her, She decides to get a job in a factory to prove to Calvin she doesn't need her family's money.

I enjoyed how Ms. Jagears allowed the reader to see Marianne's big heart. In fact I believe the reader sees it faster then Calvin sees it.

I would highly recommend this anthology of novellas for anyone who enjoys clean historical novels.

I would like to thank author Melissa Jagears and Bethany House for my copy of Hearts Entwined. I received my complimentary copy with no expectations of a positive review.

Smiles & Blessings,

In Places Hidden by Tracie Peterson

The search for her missing brother leads to the most dangerous part of the city...

Camrianne Coulter's brother Caleb is a successful San Francisco attorney. But when three months go by without a word from the usually communicative Caleb, Camri boards a train to the booming West Coast city to find out for herself why he hasn't written. When she arries at his home, nobody seems to know where he is, or what has become of him.

Camri's search for her brother leads her deep into the political corruption of the city--and into the acquaintance of Patrick Murdock, who Caleb successfully defended from a false murder charge. Getting to know this handsome Irish contractor challenges all of Camri's privileged beliefs, but Patrick is unshakably loyal to her brother, and he seems to know more a bout what happened to Caleb than anyone else.

As the two edge closer to the truth behind Caleb's disappearance, they risk angering the powerful forces that control the city. Can Camri trust Patrick to protect her from the dangers that lie hidden in San Francisco backstreets.

MY THOUGHTS:

I must admit I haven't read many books  by Tracie Peterson and after reading her book, In Places Hidden, that will definitely have to change. This book is the first in her new series, "Golden Gate Secrets" and I can honestly say I can hardly wiat for the next book in the series, In Dreams Forgotten" which is due out in July 2018.

The story is set in 1905 and it is the story of three women who meet on a train heading to San Francisco. Thay each have their own mission that is leading them to this city and they all agree to help each other in their quests to achieve their goals. In so doing these decide to live together at Camri's brother's four bedroom house.

The characters are definitely well-developed and I loved how I was pulled into the lives of Camri and Patrick. I found both characters, along with the secondary characters quite engaging and look forward to getting to know all the characters even better in the next book.

This is a Christian historical novel that is filled with deception, mystery, romance and a lot more. I highly recommend this book to lovers of great Christian fiction.

On a 5-Star scale = 5 Stars!!!!!

I would like to thank Bethany House Publishers for my copy of In Places Hidden. I received my complimentary copy with no expectations of a positive review.

Smiles & Blessings,