Audio Book Review: The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz

This is a wonderful Christian historical romance.
The Colonel's Lady
Written by: Laura Frantz
Narrated by: Laura Jennings

Length: 13 hrs and 8 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:10-04-16
Publisher: Books & Such Literary Agency
Genre: Historical Romance, American Revolution
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Publisher's Summary
In 1779, when genteel Virginia spinster Roxanna Rowan arrives at the Kentucky fort commanded by Colonel Cassius McLinn, she finds that her officer father has died. Penniless and destitute, Roxanna is forced to take her father's place as scrivener. Before long, it's clear that the colonel himself is attracted to her. But she soon realizes the colonel has grave secrets of his own - some of which have to do with her father's sudden death. Can she ever truly love him? Listeners will be enchanted by this powerful story of love, faith, and forgiveness from Laura Frantz. Her solid research and deft writing immerse listeners in the world of the early frontier while her realistic characters become intimate friends.
©2011 Laura Frantz (P)2016 Laura Frantz

Review:
Roxanna lost her mother to illness and her fiancé to another woman. She manages to travel during 1779 through the dangers of war torn Virginia to the Kentucky fort where her father is serving as scrivener. Along the way she is joined by a handful of less than upright women, with a mute young girl, who have decided they need to find another town. When Roxanna arrives at the fort she soon learns that her father has died in the field, leaving her destitute. Colonel Cassius McLinn was with Roxanna’s father when he gave his dying request that the Colonel take care of his daughter. It is too late in the year to travel so the commander hires Roxanna as the new scrivener.

Roxanna tries hard not to be attracted to the too handsome Colonel. especially since she doesn’t think a man like him could be interested in a spinster like her. The Colonel has secrets that he knows will devastate Roxanna if she ever finds out. He tries to maintain his distance but he finds himself drawn to her deep-seated faith and kindness. A kindness that might be able to forgive him for the darkest of actions.

Roxanna discovers her father’s diary that reveals a danger to the Colonel and the fort in the form of a traitorous spy. Meanwhile they must cope with enemy Indians and the nearing battle with the British Army led by none other than the Colonel’s bitter and estranged twin.

I liked Roxanna’s character from beginning to end. She has passion, spunk and courage sustained by her unwavering faith. The Colonel is a strong man with demons to fight. Their romantic resistance, conflict and misunderstandings are handled beautifully amid a story that shows day to day life on the dangerous American frontier. The writing is straight forward, smooth and moves quickly. Ms. Frantz weaves strong but quiet messages of faith in an action-packed plot. The story shares moments of sorrow, fear, joy, grace and love. There is a great blend of historical detail, action and romance. I highly recommend this to those who enjoy Christian fiction and historical romance. I will definitely seek to read more by this author.

Audio Notes: Laura Jennings does a lovely job with the narration. She manages both the female and male voices as well as subtle English and Irish accents. The tone is unusually hushed but that fit the tone and setting of the story. The narration enhanced my enjoyment of this story.

I received this audio title from the narrator through AudioBook Boom. This qualifies for my Audio Challenge.

Book Review and Giveaway: Before the Scarlet Dawn: Daughters of the Potomac - Book 1 by Rita Gerlach

This story starts with much potential but ends sadly out of tune.

Before the Scarlet Dawn: Daughters of the Potomac - Book 1
by Rita Gerlach

File Size: 1682 KB
Print Length: 338 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1426714149
Publisher: Abingdon Press (February 1, 2012)
ASIN: B0071OOAVI
Genre: Historical Fiction; American Revolution
My Rating: 3.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: February 1, 2012
(INSPIRATIONAL HISTORICAL FICTION / HISTORICAL DRAMA)
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.

"Filled with true-to-life characters whose struggles will linger with readers long after the last page is turned, Before the Scarlet Dawn is a memorable story of Revolutionary War-era England and America." - Amanda Cabot, author of Summer of Promise"Rita Gerlach has written a colorful historical with a feisty heroine on a search for survival, romance, and a place to belong." Cynthia Hickey, author of the Summer Meadows mysteries
"Ms. Gerlach's unique literary prose has once again captured my heart with a stirring tale of love and loss, desperation and hope during one of the most uncertain times in American History--the Revolutionary War. I cannot wait for the next book in the series!" - MaryLu Tyndall, author of Surrender the Dawn"A stirring story of love and its consequences, Before the Scarlet Dawn will draw you in from the start and not let you go again." ~ Roseanna M. White, author of Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland and Jewel of Persia
"While reading Before the Scarlet Dawn, you'll travel back in time--and from England to Maryland--without ever leaving your easy chair! This is a big, beautiful, well-told story of love, faith, and the struggles of war that changed lives...and  hearts. I can't wait to read the next book in this series!" Loree Lough, best-selling author of more than 80 award-winning books, including reader favorite From Ashes to Honor

Review:
Eliza, a rare beauty, and her maid, Fiona, face living on the streets when her father, a Vicar, dies. Still, Eliza refuses the offer of marriage from the local nobleman whom she doesn’t love but throws herself at Hayward, her childhood crush. Hayward is home from the colonies to wed a proper British bride. He has offered for a young lady of his station who refuses to move to the colonies. Eliza assures Hayward that she will follow him anywhere and that she is young, strong and brave enough to face the new world. Hayward, struck by her beauty and determination, reluctantly agrees that they will wed with the understanding that he will never offer her love.

Hayward, raised with the prejudices of the British aristocracy, was that taught that giving your heart to a woman would weaken a man. He had some misgivings about taking a mere Vicar’s daughter as wife, but he figured her beauty would make up for her lack of social standing. Hayward appreciates her strength and willingness to stand by him when he leaves their home on the Potomac River to fight for the Patriots. He has grown fond of her and is jealous when other men, especially a neighbor gentleman, Halston, shows her attention, but he is not going to give her his heart.

Hayward leaves at the birth of their first child and is away for almost five years without even sending a letter home. Halston, who is enamored of Eliza, comes to the aid of her household, even saving her life from extreme danger. When Eliza receives a message that Hayward has died on a horrible prison ship she runs, blind with grief, into the arms of Halston. The consequences are disastrous.

News comes that Hayward is alive and he comes home to his wife and daughter. He also finds another young woman and a two year old child, living and helping on the farm. Hayward has been hardened by war and is even haughtier about class levels than he was before he left. He treats everyone rather harshly and when he discovers Eliza’s secrets he is unwilling to forgive.

He sends Eliza to his mother in England, but Eliza arrives to discover she is abandoned. She despairs, fearing she will never see her daughter again. She nearly freezes in a field but is rescued by a kind man who takes her in.

This book started out well and I was interested to read details of the colonies, the hardships of wilderness living and even the horrors of the revolutionary war. The dynamics between Eliza and Hayward allowed for tension and growth in the relationship. Unfortunately in the second half of the book Eliza acts contrary to her values and new characters pop up that didn’t fit the earlier facts. I was disturbed by her "clinging" to Hayward but more disturbed when her actions go far afield especially considering her faith in God. Finally she seems to lose her backbone altogether. Even accepting that she is "only human", this was just too much of a character slide. I initially had some sympathy for Hayward’s misguided rearing but that sympathy quickly died in light of his cruel pride.

The ending chapters bring some relief to Eliza’s circumstances, but it is not a happy ending and is clearly unfinished with events to follow in the second book. I questioned the title as it seemed nothing more than a phrase the author liked and used but with no real significance. And I (we*) questioned the “Daughters of the Potomac” tag as it might fit book 2 but not this book, which started and ended in England.

Rating this is a bit difficult as I (we*) wanted to like it and started out enjoying the writing style and plot premise. It is just too bad that it went astray (no pun intended). The book club ladies agreed that we want inspiration - not depression - when we finish a book.

I purchased this book at discount price for Ladies' Book Club. *We all had the same reactions.

ONE PRINT COPY GIVEAWAY

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I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.)

For 3 Extra Bonus entries (a) comment on the review, OR

OR

(b) visit THE AUTHOR'S WEBSITE and tell me something you like/learned there.

* This contest is open to US only for Print Copy.
* This contest will close 7 PM (Central) April 24, 2015.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after April 24, 2015.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond on the winners form linked in the announcement or by email.

Book Review and Giveaway: Every Time I Love You by Heather Graham

An engaging romance that spans two hundred years. 

Every Time I Love You

by Heather Graham

• Paperback
• Publisher: Dell (1988)
• ISBN-10: 0440200873

Genre: Contemporary Romance, with Historical Elements
My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Every Time I Love You is the captivating tale of a modern couple and their struggle with ill-fated past lives.

Review:
Gayle Norman is a modern woman who had a college romance that ended in tragedy when her temperamental boyfriend overdosed. Since then she has focused on her career as an assistant and event coordinator for Sabel Gallery, a well known artist gallery in Richmond, Virginia. Gayle keeps her distance from men even though her friends think it’s time to find a man to date.

Brent McCauley is an intense, reclusive artist who has agreed to have a showing at Sabel Gallery. His works consist of a group of nudes, including two entangled lovers. Gayle is impressed with the strong evocative feel of the painting.

Brent and Gayle meet and the connection is instant, intense and undeniable. Although it is not her usual behavior, Gayle ends up going home with Brent. Soon they are inseparable and planning their wedding. Gayle begins to have some dark dreams where she is drawn to a man who looks like Brent but she is terrified of him. She can’t really remember the dreams but feels a disquiet.

At the wedding Gayle passes out and after the wedding the dreams increase to the point where Brent insists she seek professional help. She agrees although that doesn’t help much. Then Brent begins to act in unexplaned, angry and violent episodes that he doesn’t remember. Gayle is frightened but Brent refuses to seek help because it might have a bad impact on his reputation.

Interspersed with these modern chapters are chapters set in 1774 introducing Percy Ainsworth, a young American rebel and Lady Katrina Seymour, the sixteen year old sister of a staunch British Tory. These two are at extremes politically but their attraction is explosive.

The conflict in the story stems from Percy’s belief that Katrina betrays him. Gayle and Brent are struggling with the strange flashes they are experiencing. But how can they figure out what is happening especially if Brent refuses outside help?

I had picked this story from my TBR pile because I wanted something involving the American Revolution. Although this had small portions of the Revolution the story is really a double romance. The modern characters are well developed and likable although I had difficulty with the impulsive, contrary traits of the 1774 couple. The romance between Gayle and Brent is very nicely handled. The ‘reincarnation’ aspects of the story added the focal interest even if I have mixed feelings about that theory. The book started a bit slowly but by midway I was anxious to keep reading. The writing is strong and engaging and I recommend this to those who love entertaining romance.

This story was from one of my TBR author collections.

Giveaway:

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for my 1988 Print paperback

ENTRY FORM HERE

(Don't forget to fill in the form for entry!

I have noticed a few commenters who forgot to enter through the Form.)

For 3 Extra Bonus entries comment on the review, OR

visit THE AUTHOR'S WEBSITE and tell me something you like/learned there.

* This contest is open to U.S. address only for print book.
* This contest will close 5 PM (Central) August 2 2014.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after August 2, 2014.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review and eBook Giveaway: The Midwife's Revolt by Jodi Daynard

Don't' miss a chance to read this remarkably wonderful story that is rich in detail, character and intrigue!

The Midwife’s Revolt

by Jodi Daynard

• File Size: 685 KB
• Print Length: 440 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (December 2, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B00AHJ5J00

Genre: Historical Fiction, American Revolution

My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2, 2012

The Midwife’s Revolt takes the reader on a journey to the founding days of America. It follows one woman’s path, Lizzie Boylston, from her grieving days of widowhood after Bunker Hill, to her deepening friendship with Abigail Adams and midwifery, and finally to her dangerous work as a spy for the Cause. A novel rich in historical detail, The Midwife’s Revolt opens a window onto the real lives of colonial women.

"A charming, unexpected, and decidedly different view of the Revolutionary War."

-- Publishers Weekly

This humorous, exciting and touching story retells the familiar saga of the Revolutionary War in a stunning new way that feels fresh and alive."

-- Kirkus Indie Reviews

Review:
Lizzie's father was a British Judge and her mother taught her healing arts, particularly midwifery. Lizzie married young Jeb who was from another staunch British family. The young couple were determined to succeed on their small farm which was a gift to Jeb from an uncle of Abigail Adams. They live in the community of Braintree outside of Cambridge, Massachusetts. With illustrious neighbors such as the Quincys and the Adams, the couple soon found themselves entrenched for the cause of American freedom.

Lizzie is dedicated and firm but gentle and thorough in her care of young mothers giving birth as well as the elderly facing their last moments. Lizzie becomes a war widow and garners support and friendship from ‘political widow’ Abigail whom she deeply respects.

Another orphaned young woman, Martha, joins Lizzie’s household to help with chores and duties as a midwife. While Lizzie doesn’t know if her younger brother lives, Martha’s older brother, a charming man, is believed to be working for the Loyalist cause. Lizzie may feel attraction for Thomas but she can not fall in love with her political enemy.

Lizzie is not content to sit quietly when she discovers patriots have been murdered in her small community. She disguises herself as an errand boy so she spy in a loyalist tavern in spite of the grave danger.

This story begins with beautiful nostalgia at the time of Abigail Adams’ death. It proceeds with Lizzie’s recounting of hardship and deprivation from 1775 through 1778. Lizzie shares her day to day living as well as many philosophical thoughts on love, death, war, and the very nature--kind and evil--of men.  The writing is superbly detailed with rich images full of sight, touch and smell. I felt that I was right there beside Lizzie as she struggled with her physical labors and hard winters, and as she grappled with her tender sentimentality that she attempts to keep hidden.

The plot includes treachery, mystery, intrigue, and betrayal. There are families torn by society snobbery and racial slavery. There are friendships strained by suspicion and exhaustion.  There is fascinating detail of midwife skills and daily industry of surviving in colonial America. There is caring, forgiving and loving.

I blinked back tears before I was 10% into the story. The story also evoked anger, laughter, sadness and joy as I marveled at the remarkable portrayal of these stalwart women who supported the men who fought for the birth of America.  The title could have more than one meaning as one reads of Lizzie’s brave efforts to spy for the cause but also as she denies emotions that try to rise in her own heart.

Ms. Daynard states in her author’s notes: “If a historical novel does its job, the reader will be hard pressed to know where fact leaves off and fiction begins.” (Location 4678.)  Thank you Ms. Daynard for doing a wonderful job of entertaining with fact and fiction that seemed all real to me.

If you enjoy American history, don’t miss this interesting view from the perspective of colonial women. If you are a fan of strong heroines -- healers and caregivers who will not give in or give up -- then you will want to read the story of these wonderful women with glimpses of the real Abigail Adams. If you are a fan of historical fiction in general, I encourage you to enjoy this excellent story.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here are two of the many passages I really like:

“Being of some use”defined our lives that year. It became increasingly necessary to use one’s energy and wits to find clever ways to subsist when provisions could not be had. Sugar, flour and labor were now entirely out of reach.  Location 1177.

In the smaller spaces of the broad canvas I paint, the quiet drama of personal life and death continued apace. Location 2657.

I am extremely glad that I picked this up through NetGalley.

This story is set in Braintree, Massachusetts for my 2013 Where Are You Reading Challenge.

I loved this story so much that I want to share by offering two eBooks, Kindle or Nook, to commenters on this post.

ENTRY REQUIRES COMMENT

FOR ENTRY:
a) Share why you think would like to read this book.
Extra entry:
b) Visit the author's website and tell me something you find there of interest.
 
2 Extra entries if you share the giveaway in any fashion - FB, Twitter, blog sidebar or even email a friend. Share the link in a comment below or email me with the info if you don't want to share all of it in a comment. Send to mesreadsATgmail.com

(Total possible entries per person = 4)
* This contest is open WORLDWIDE.
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on March 15, 2013.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER(S) WILL BE ANNOUNCED on March 16, 2013.
Winners are asked to respond by email or the linked winners form within 72 hours of the announcement.