Book Review and Giveaway: The Lady's Maid (Prairie Dreams) by Susan Page Davis

This is an entertaining story of two British women joining a wagon train across the United States.

The Lady's Maid (Prairie Dreams)
by Susan Page Davis

• Series: Prairie Dreams (Book 1)
• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Barbour Publishing, Inc. (October 1, 2011)
• ISBN-10: 161626439X
• Genre:  Historical Romance, Christian
• My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: October 1, 2011
Travel along with Elise Finster and her British mistress, Lady Anne Stone, as they search for the new but missing earl of Stoneford. Determined to follow David Stone’s somewhat cold trail leading to Oregon, greenhorns Elise and Anne secure livestock and supplies to join a wagon train. Will the ladies succeed in their quest or succumb to the malfeasance of the mysterious man dogging their heels? Scout Eb Bentley’s initial disgust with these ill-prepared women eventually turns into admiration for one lady in particular. Can he protect her long enough to win her over, or will prairie dreams turn into a Wild West nightmare?

Review:
Elise Finster was only sixteen when she entered domestic service as a parlor maid. Twenty-two years later she is dedicated as Lady’s Maid to twenty-year old Lady Anne, whose father has died. Lady Anne’s uncle, David Stone, is the next Earl and heir but he is in America and hasn’t been heard from for ten years. The estate remains in limbo and Lady Anne has no funds to support the family home. If there is proof that David is dead then the estate and title pass to a less friendly cousin.

Anne and Elise set off to America determined to find Uncle David.  They manage to overcome sickness during the ocean voyage, then travel by train from New York to St. Louis. Elise suspects there is a man following them but she can’t pin him down. Elise and Anne believe that David went west on a wagon train. They resolve to travel after him even though it is a totally alien world to them. They are already traveling as companions instead of Lady and servant so others will not mock them.

Elise and Anne meet Rob and Eb, the trail master and scout for the first wagon train heading west. The rule is that women cannot travel without a man to help them drive their team and do other chores. The ladies hire Thomas, a man who poses as one recommended by Eb but who has been spying on them for the man who followed them from New York. Eb is particularly unsure if Elise and Anne can make the trip but slowly they modify their attire and learn how to cope on the trail. They learn to cook and handle the team of mules under the protective eye of Rob and especially Eb, a widower, who has developed a quiet interest in Elise.

The story contains wonderful details of life on a wagon train and it was particularly interesting to have the British women as a focal point in that journey. The ladies show determination and grace in dealing with each new ‘adventure’, danger and obstacle they face. Elise finds herself in a personal dilemma as she is committed to her promise to help Anne find her Uncle but she has fallen for Eb and can’t help but wonder what it would be like to have a husband and home of her own. There is a bit of a mystery remaining at the conclusion of this book which leads to the second book in the series.

I enjoyed the old-fashioned nature of the story, including the protective attitudes of the men (fitting for the time period) and the support and friendships among the pioneer families. There is an underlying faith that helps different characters although the author also presents scenes that show how jealousy, anger and fear can twist men and women who proclaim to be Christian. The book is well researched and written. The book club ladies all agreed that it was an entertaining and easy read.

I purchased and read this for my Ladies’ Book Club for 8/2/14.

Giveaway:

ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for my gently read print copy

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 US Only for Print Book.
* This contest will close 5 PM (Central) August 17, 2014.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after August 17, 2014.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review and Giveaways (three total): The Gunsmith's Gallantry, Ladies Shooting Club Series #2 by Susan Page Davis

This is another fun, easy read in the Ladies Shooting Club Series.

The Gunsmith's Gallantry, Ladies Shooting Club Series #2

by Susan Page Davis

Number of Pages: 320

Vendor: Barbour Publishing

Publication Date: 2010

ISBN-13: 9781602607958

$1.99 (CBD Price)

Genre: Historical Romance, Western

My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Product Description

Widowed gunsmith Hiram Dooley is in a fix. His widowed sister-in-law believes Hiram's duty is to marry her, and shopkeeper Libby Adams has no idea that he loves her. When the schoolteacher's uncle is murdered, Libby and Hiram team up to solve the crime. Will Hiram be able to tell Libby his true feelings?

Review:
Hiram Dooley has been reclusive for several years since the death of his wife in childbirth. He is pleased his sister, Trudy, has found a beau in his best friend, town sheriff, Ethan (The Sheriff's Surrender - Book 1). Although he is beginning to wonder when Ethan is going to get the gumption to make Trudy his bride. Hiram is also beginning to wonder if he might be able to find love again as he becomes more interested in the town shopkeeper, widow Libby Adams.  First though Hiram has to deal with the complication of his first wife’s prissy sister-in-law who has moved in with the idea that Hiram should marry her!

Libby hasn't been looking for another husband but she keeps noticing the steady strength, honesty and goodness of her best friend’s brother, Hiram. If they are both ready to move away from their morning pasts, perhaps her future could hold more than just a widow’s life running the town mercantile.

Although this book presents itself as Libby and Hiram’s story, their relationship is really quietly building in the background while the action revolves around Isabel and her father, Cyrus. Cyrus is the biggest land owner in town and wealthiest man as he runs the stage and bed & breakfast among other interests. One night a strange, rather unkempt man shows up at their house and he is introduced to Isabel as her Uncle. This is news to Isabel who never heard her mother talk about a brother. Isabel doesn't hear the man leave but a bit later discovers her father secretly burying something behind the barn. Isabel seeks comfort and help from Libby as she is frightened especially as her father becomes more and more uncommunicative. Then he starts trying to sell land around town to raise money but Isabel doesn't know why.

A new group of rough cowboys show up in town causing some ruckus for the sheriff and raising concerns from other townsfolk. It seems that the family trouble between Cyrus and Isabel is related to the rough man who has set up ranching on one of Cyrus’ properties.

Before Ethan, Trudy, Libby and Hiram can help Isabel to figure out what is going on with Cyrus she is kidnapped. It is heartwarming when the whole town steps forward to help Cyrus rescue one of their own.

There is gentle humor and western action to keep this story interesting. It moves at a good pace especially since we know the town characters from the first book. I really enjoy how the author brings in Christian messages of love, forgiveness and trust by making them part of the characters' lives in sharing rather than a preaching situation.

This is the second book in the series. Although it could be read as a stand alone I recommend reading the books in order to get a better grasp on the manner town characters. One of our book club members thought we were reading book 3 instead of 2. She said that book 3 is a fun read too.

I picked up book 1 and 2 in this series at very good prices for Ladies Book Club.

I have decided to giveaway print books 1 and 2 separately but in this one entry - so TWO WINNERS get one print book each. Please note that The Sheriff's Surrender is still available for $1.65 at CBD and The Gunsmith's Gallantry is $1.99. All three books in the series are available in ebook format from CBD for the very reasonable price of $6.05 with no postage costs! SO - I am adding a THIRD WINNER for the ebook of all three stories!
ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the gently used Print Copies.

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 first review, second 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 but worldwide for the ebook!
* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on March 26, 2014.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED after March 26, 2014.
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.

Book Review with Giveaway Question: The Sheriff's Surrender (Ladies' Shooting Club) by Susan Page Davis

This is a delightfully fun, easy, inspirational read that gives a good picture of life in the old west.

The Sheriff's Surrender (Ladies' Shooting Club)
by Susan Page Davis

Format: Paperback
Number of Pages: 320
Vendor: Barbour Publishing
Publication Date: 2009
ISBN: 1602605629
Series: Ladies Shooting Club
(Still available for $1.65!)

Genre: Historical, Inspirational
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Product Description
Gert Dooley can shoot the tail feathers off a jay at a hundred yards, but she wants Ethan Chapman to see she's more than a crack shot with a firearm. When the sheriff of Fergus, Idaho, is murdered and Ethan is named his replacement, Gert decides she has to do whatever she can to help him protect the citizenry. So she starts the Ladies Shooting Club. But when of their numbers is murdered, these ladies are called on for more than target shooting and praying. Can Gert and the ladies of Fergus find the murderer before he strikes again?

Review:
Gert came to the small community of Fergus, Idaho eight years ago to help her older brother, Hiram, and his wife with a new baby. Unfortunately when she arrived she found Hiram secluded in grief over their deaths. She continues to take care of the reclusive Hiram helping him in his gun smithing business by shooting the weapons he repairs. Over the years she has become one of the best shots in town. Gert doesn’t dress fancy or wear her hair pretty... she is just steady, reliable, capable Gert who has a sweet spot for Hiram’s best friend, Ethan.

Ethan is a local bachelor committed to the hard work of building his own ranch. When the old time sheriff is found dead one morning the town council recruits Ethan as temporary sheriff. Although Ethan is reluctant, he steps up to the duty. As he and Hiram investigate the crime scene evidence reveals the death was murder, not an accident. When a second victim is killed the town really starts to worry.

Libby, the widowed storekeeper who is also Gert’s good friend, asks Gert to teach her how to shoot. Soon many of the ladies in town, wives and daughters, and even saloon girls, join the practice sessions. They even allow an old, poor, dirty and smelly recluse, Milzie, to join them.

The group declares themselves the Ladies Shooting Club and start by reaching out to help each other. Then they offer to help the Sheriff with street patrols. One brassy lady, a saloon (brothel?) owner, becomes a deputy. As Ethan works along with Hiram and Gert to solve the mystery of the murders he begins to see Gert in a new light as friendship grows to affection.

Gert represents a good deal of pioneer spirit and a bit of the stirring for women’s rights! She also represents a heart of a servant who helps others with joy and no judgment. She seeks to share her love of faith because she cares about everyone in her community, no matter their station or profession. There is a sense of humbleness provided by Gert and Ethan and a sweet sense of allowing God to work things out in His time, including their courtship.

There is a story of revenge but there are also so many good real life features presented in this sweet story. There are issues of bigotry and pride, in small and big ways. The story shows the tendency to live our lives in insular fashion and not realize the desperate needs of some of those very near until some trigger brings the community together to provide more care for one another.

The writing is clear and this is a quick easy read. There is humor and warm fuzzies that overshadow the evil. I found it delightful and recommend it to those who enjoy fun, inspirational historical reading.

This was our Jan- Feb Ladies Book Club read. The group has not yet met to discuss this book as we postponed February’s meeting, however, several ladies told me that they felt this was such a real portrayal of western life. They were very enthusiastic so I ordered the second book in the series and we will be discussing both books in our meeting in March.

GIVEAWAY QUESTION: I will be offering both books for GIVEAWAY and here is a question for those who will be interested: Would you prefer the books be offered separately for giveaway or as a set of two to one winner? Let me know by your comments and I will decide how to list the giveaways. Thanks.