In this captivating time-slip novel, two women, separated by generations, are connected by their love for a charming English cottage—and by the secretIn this captivating time-slip novel, two women, separated by generations, are connected by their love for a charming English cottage—and by the secrets it holds.
When Audrey inherits her grandmother’s cottage in England, she embarks on a journey across the ocean to uncover the truth about her family’s past. As she delves into her grandmother’s history, she uncovers a story of courage, love, and sacrifice that has been hidden for decades.
During World War I, Audrey’s great-grandmother, Emilie, defies societal expectations and runs away from home to serve as a nurse in France. But when the war ends, she returns to a world that demands she choose between duty and the man she truly loves. Will she follow her heart, or will she be forced into a marriage of convenience?
Rich in historical detail and emotional depth, this novel beautifully weaves together the past and present, revealing how love, resilience, and the choices of one generation can shape the future....more
Jana took pride in taking care of her mother's beloved bookshop after her mother passed away. However, it was becoming more difficult to keep it open Jana took pride in taking care of her mother's beloved bookshop after her mother passed away. However, it was becoming more difficult to keep it open since the list of banned Czech books was becoming longer, and German books were the required reading. To make extra money, Jana accepted a cleaning job at Prague Castle, where she was asked to keep an eye by the Resistance on one of the top Nazi leaders.
Her safety became more at risk when she needed to hide three Jewish children from the Germans. With her involvement with the Resistance, it was a challenge to know whom to trust. The war was a terrible time of suffering, and not everyone would survive it....more
Darcy shares her life story as a Connemara pony. She is fast and tough and works hard for her family in Ireland. She wades through a bog to save the lDarcy shares her life story as a Connemara pony. She is fast and tough and works hard for her family in Ireland. She wades through a bog to save the life of one of her humans. She is loved by the McKenna family, and by selling her foals, they are finally able to own their own land....more
Edith has wondered for forty years what happened to her sister, Betty. Both girls had moved to Calcutta to start a new life for themselves. Shortly afEdith has wondered for forty years what happened to her sister, Betty. Both girls had moved to Calcutta to start a new life for themselves. Shortly after their arrival, Betty marries a man from Burma and moves with him to Rangoon. Edith gets married as well and stays in India. During World War Two, communication was limited, and eventually stopped all together. Now, years later, Edith discovered a journal her sister wrote. It was full of dark secrets that Betty had kept hidden for years. It also revealed to Edith how much courage her younger sister had. Once I got into it, this book was almost impossible to put down. It was intense....more
Ada lived with an abusive mother and a younger brother in a small flat in London. Since her mother was embarrassed by Ada's clubfoot, she was kept hidAda lived with an abusive mother and a younger brother in a small flat in London. Since her mother was embarrassed by Ada's clubfoot, she was kept hidden away in their little apartment and never allowed outside. However, when Ada found out that Jamie, her brother, was to be evacuated from London, she was determined to escape her home situation. Jamie and Ada end up living with Susan in a small village in Kent. There, Ada finds happiness adjusting to a new life....more
I hardly know how to rate this book. This story, based on actual happenings, alternates between 1919 and 1954. As a young child, Rachel was an orphan I hardly know how to rate this book. This story, based on actual happenings, alternates between 1919 and 1954. As a young child, Rachel was an orphan in the Hebrew Infant Home. There, a doctor, Mildred Solomon, used her and other children for experimental x-rays. Later on, as an adult, Rachel discovered that she has a tumor in her breast, with the possibility of cancer. She blames the x-rays that she had as a child. It also so happens that she is now a nurse in the Old Hebrews Home where Dr. Solomon is a patient with her own cancer. Rachel now has the doctor's life in her own hands. What will she do about it?
This was a richly written story. What made me uncomfortable was the homosexuality that was in it. I lowered my rating because of that....more
Emily was sent to live with a rich uncle in Massachusetts, but he never met her at the train station. Instead, one of the local boys was there, and thEmily was sent to live with a rich uncle in Massachusetts, but he never met her at the train station. Instead, one of the local boys was there, and they became friends of a sort. She and Seth got mixed up in a bank robbery with suspicious results. I hardly knew what to make of this book....more
Donald was a thirteen year-old Cree boy who lived in Northern Saskatchewan. He constantly faced a couple of bullies who kept trying to get him into trDonald was a thirteen year-old Cree boy who lived in Northern Saskatchewan. He constantly faced a couple of bullies who kept trying to get him into trouble. At the beginning of the school year, the community got a new teacher. Donald ended up becoming friends with his son, Billy. Donald had a fear of stormy water. One day, the bullies played a terrible prank on Billy and sister and deserted them on an island during a storm. Donald knew he had to face his fears to rescue his friends. He knew the only way he could was to ask Jesus to help him....more
Ellen and Lucas are now married and have two children of their own. They have moved to New York City and made a life for themselves. However, Lucas isEllen and Lucas are now married and have two children of their own. They have moved to New York City and made a life for themselves. However, Lucas is constantly busy with work, and their son has bad lungs. The doctor said that they should go to California for his health. Ellen and the children depart with her cousin, Gracie, as a companion. Ellen has many things to worry about. Lucas's preoccupation with work and lack of attention, Jamie's health, and Grace's scandalous behavior. When the stock market crashes, they have financial concerns to worry about. However, when they move back to Amherst Island, they realize that being together is all that they really need....more
This fictional novel is based on the diary that Martha Ballard wrote in the late 1700s. Martha was a midwife for 30 years in Massachusetts around the This fictional novel is based on the diary that Martha Ballard wrote in the late 1700s. Martha was a midwife for 30 years in Massachusetts around the time of the Revolutionary War and the French/ Indian Wars. She lived in a time when women weren't kept in high regard, but as a midwife, she managed to have achieved a higher level of respect than most women of her time. She was often used for her medical skills and as a witness in court trials.
During the time while Martha was writing her day book, a friend, Rebecca Foster, was brutally raped by two men. The one man's dead body was found in the frozen river, while Joseph North was brought to trial. Since he was a man and a judge at that, his reputation is at stake, and he is aquitted. Martha is furious and is determined to find justice for her friend. She also wants to get to the bottom of the mystery of who killed Joshua Burgis, the other rapist.
This book, which shared ordinary details of life in the 1790s, was also full of high suspenseful tension. I was often gripped with anxiety as to how this story would play out.
The author states that this book is probably 75% historically accurate. She has granted herself an artistic license to adjust details for the sake of the story. She has also used imagination to get into the heart and mind of Martha Ballard. It is a book that I enjoyed immensely and will recommend. I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author....more
Alfred's father has died, and now his older brother is king. John is a foolish and incompetent ruler. He only thinks of his own desires An Unwise King
Alfred's father has died, and now his older brother is king. John is a foolish and incompetent ruler. He only thinks of his own desires and not what is best for the kingdom. Alfred tries to keep an eye on things but is limited in what he can do since he has to be careful not to appear to be in opposition to his brother. John's neglect of the kingdom leads to poverty, riots, pestilence, and war. Can Alfred and the other lords save the kingdom before it is completely destroyed?...more
Adam and his father were minstrels and followed the open road. There wasn't much excitement until Adam's dog was stolen, and he and Roger were separatAdam and his father were minstrels and followed the open road. There wasn't much excitement until Adam's dog was stolen, and he and Roger were separated. Adam faced danger and misfortune while searching for his dog and attempting to reunite with his father. This was an interesting account of life in the Middle Ages....more
It was just about impossible to put this book down. The first book in the series was about a southern woman during the Civil War. The second one was aIt was just about impossible to put this book down. The first book in the series was about a southern woman during the Civil War. The second one was about a northern woman. This one was from a slave's perspective, and I love how all three books were tied together.
Grady and Kitty, aka Anna, were two slaves who were very different but still loved each other. Grady was seething with anger and bitterness towards his white oppressors. Kitty meekly accepted the abuse from her mistress. This made Grady angry, and his anger made his wife afraid. When the Union army arrived near their plantation, Grady high-tailed it out of there and eventually joined forces with them. Anna was too afraid to leave and stayed behind. However, when her mistress threatened to get rid of her baby, Anna finally understood her husband's anger and hatred towards the whites.
It was an exciting day when Grady's troops were finally able to free Anna and her fellow slaves. Most importantly, Grady and Anna were eventually freed in Christ. Gradually, Grady learned that not all white people were evil. That realization showed him that Jesus came to set him free. Anna learned that in Jesus, she had self-worth. She was as precious in His eyes as any white woman. I loved how the author portrayed character growth in these two individuals' lives....more
Kate Hamilton, an antique dealer from America, is called by a frantic sister-in-law, Eleanor Spurgeon, to come visit her on a remote island in ScotlanKate Hamilton, an antique dealer from America, is called by a frantic sister-in-law, Eleanor Spurgeon, to come visit her on a remote island in Scotland. Eleanor is afraid of something but doesn't have a chance to tell Kate because she is murdered shortly after Kate's arrival on the island.
Bo Duff, a cognitively impaired, gentle giant of a man, is the one charged with the murder. Kate knows that he is innocent and is determined to find the real killer and prove his innocence.
What is really strange about this murder was that it was a replica of a murder that occurred 200 years earlier and was never solved. Someone is fixated on the past and doesn't want the truth revealed. The clues are to be found in an ancient diary....more
One day, on a whim, an American multimillionaire decided to buy the most prestigious hotel in London. The former owner warned him that he might be getOne day, on a whim, an American multimillionaire decided to buy the most prestigious hotel in London. The former owner warned him that he might be getting more than he bargained for. He had suspected that devious going-ons were happening under his roof, but he chose to keep his nose out of other people's affairs. The new owner wasn't so inclined. It wasn't long until he and his spirited daughter got entangled in the intrigues of European royalty. I greatly enjoyed this riveting book....more
The five Jenkins sisters lived together in a cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. One day, a young teenage girl arrived at their home. SheThe five Jenkins sisters lived together in a cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. One day, a young teenage girl arrived at their home. She had been shot and was obviously pregnant. The sisters took her in, nursed her back to health, and helped deliver her baby. However, it was not safe for the young girl and her baby to remain in their home. Heartbroken, the young mother decided to give her baby up for adoption.
Thirty years later, a young man comes to the mountains looking for the midwife who had delivered him when he was born. At first, he was angry when he learned that he was adopted. Gradually, after learning the danger his birth mother had faced, he was touched by the knowledge of her bravery to protect her son. By giving him up for adoption, he was given a better life than what she could have provided.
I absolutely loved this beautiful story and will be looking for more books by this author....more
Sophie and George were newly weds when they arrived in New Zealand in the 1800s from the United Kingdom. Pioneering in the new country was a challengeSophie and George were newly weds when they arrived in New Zealand in the 1800s from the United Kingdom. Pioneering in the new country was a challenge, and unfortunately, George was killed in a drowning accident. Sophie ended up marrying a local shepherd. He was falsely accused of stealing sheep by some wandering crooks. Fortunately, after some investigation, his charges were dropped, and he returned to his family, friends, and homesteading. His name was James MacKenzie, and this fictional story was based on a true character with this name....more
The Middle Ages was a time of violence when people seemed to be hell-bent on destruction. During this time of turmoil, lived the Waldensians, who pefeThe Middle Ages was a time of violence when people seemed to be hell-bent on destruction. During this time of turmoil, lived the Waldensians, who peferred the way of peace. It wasn't easy for them, especially Marie, who had been nearly killed and left scarred and blinded for her devotion to Christ. Perci, who was partly to blame for her injuries, couldn't forgive himself and left the Waldensians to return to a life of violence. Marie travels to Ireland with her adopted father and prays for Perci's redemption....more
Mandie and her travel companions are now in Rome. They get lost in the catacombs and somehow get tangled up with a couple of jewelry thieves. Even thoMandie and her travel companions are now in Rome. They get lost in the catacombs and somehow get tangled up with a couple of jewelry thieves. Even though Mandie and her friends try to stay safe, adventure seems to follow them wherever they go....more
Isabel married Tom and moved with him to Janus Rock, where he was in charge of keeping the lighthouse. After three miscarriages Isabel was devastated.Isabel married Tom and moved with him to Janus Rock, where he was in charge of keeping the lighthouse. After three miscarriages Isabel was devastated. One day, a boat drifted to the shore. Inside was a dead man and a newborn baby. Isabel was sure that God had sent the infant to her and was determined to keep it. Tom, a man of principles, was unsure if that was the right thing to do. For several years, they had a happy life on the small island until they discovered that somewhere a mother was grieving the loss of her daughter. This is a heartbreaking story of difficult choices....more