Marian's Christmas Wish/carla Kelly

Synopsis:

  "Miss Marian Wynswich is a rather unconventional young lady. She plays chess, reads Greek, and is as educated as any young man. And she's certain falling in love is a ridiculous endeavor and vows never to do such a thing. But everything changes when she receives a Christmas visit from someone unexpected--- a young and handsome English lord."

 Review:

    Marian, not yet 17 has vowed never to fall in love or get married. Even when Lord Ingraham (Gil) shows up with her older brother Percy right before Christmas. As time goes by Gil and Marian become close. Many obstacles are put in their way, which makes them depend on each other even more. But a surprise, that I wasn't even expecting takes place, and trust is lost.
   Carla Kelly always does a beautiful job at writing her novels. Every book is different but always gets me involved and brings me into these different scenarios. I enjoy being transported back in time to a place where it is a different world, but human emotions are still the same and I can put myself in that place and that situation and be able to still come out on top.
   I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
 

Enduring Light/Carla Kelly

Synopsis:

   "Julia Darling is finally to marry Paul Otto for eternity. But it's a harsh world for a rancher in turn-of-the-century Wyoming, especially a Mormon rancher. When alienation and threats begin, Julia must prove she's her husband's equal in strength and endurance as she learns to let go of scars on the outside and inside."


Review:

  Before I do the review I have to remind reader's that this is the sequel to "Borrowed Light". So make sure you read that first or you could be lost.
  This book was a great sequel. I remember reading the first book and going on the internet to see if there was another written. There wasn't. Lucky for me I just needed to wait a couple months before I was handed the opportunity to review the second book.
  Julia is a tough young woman who over comes quite a lot of adversity while starting a new life on the Double Tipi. Some think she is a fragile little thing, but they soon find out how wrong they are! When yet another obstacle comes into her and her now husband Paul's life, they have to turn to the Lord, even more then ever. Go ahead and pick up this book and transport yourself back to a time of hardship and trial, but also love and endurance.
   Please check out more of Carla Kelly's books and check out all the links below for more information on the Author and Publisher.

Author Blog http://carlakellyauthor.blogspot.com/

Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000100522344

Book Poster page: http://enduringlightbook.com/  

Publisher Blog http://www.cedarfortbooks.com/

Publisher Facebook https://www.facebook.com/cedarfortbooks

Publisher Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/cedarfortbooks

Publisher GoodReads http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4202252-cedar-fort

The Kissing Tree/Prudence Bice

Synopsis:

  "Five years ago, Georgiana stole a kiss from Ridge Carson under the community "kissing tree" the day before she moved away. Now eighteen, she finally returns to Colorado to live with her Grandfather again and help him with the cooking and cleaning on his ranch. Though she was taught how to be a proper young lady and flourish in New York's high society, her heart never stopped yearning for home-or her childhood crush.
   But when she unexpectedly finds herself facing the grown-up Ridge, with his wild west ways, all her proper training begins to unravel. Now she isn't sure she can fall for his improper cowboy style."


My Review:

  When reading this book, it took me back to the movie "Anne of Green Gables". Now I am sure that a lot of you woman out there know what I am talking about! Being as that movie is one of my favorites, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! It has mischief, friendship, love, mystery and heartache. All the qualities you need for a great read. Ridge and Georgiana take you on a journey from when they were children in Colorado, to 5 years apart living in two separate worlds. I don't know if any of you have ever lost contact with a friend or someone who you were close too, but when you see them again, all the memories are still there and you have more memories to add and build on for the future. For me love and friendship are forever, and this book only confirms it.
  I highly recommend this beautifully written novel. Prudence Bice also has another book out called "The Widower's Wife". Which I read during the summer. I cant wait to see what other novels she has in store!

Paint Me True/E.M. Tippetts

Synopsis:
  
  Eliza is a 30 year old professional painter who only has a few months left in her singles ward. Time is not on her side. She wanted to have met someone by now and started living her happily ever after. Of course she has had plenty of proposals in the past, but she couldn't see herself with those men.
  Fresh out of a relationship with Len, which caught even her off guard, she receives a phone call from her Aunt Nora, who lives in London. Needing help, Eliza gets on the next available flight to assist her Aunt, who is the closet she has had to a mother in a while.
  While in London memories from the past come into view, and a secret that has been hidden for so long comes out and the truth cant be hidden any longer.
  Will Eliza be able to find love? Will she be able to overcome a heartache she has lived with her whole life? With a little help, and her love of painting, she will learn a lesson she wont forget!

Review:

  This book had me riveted from the beginning! E.M. Tippetts is such a great Author. I could put myself into the main characters shoes (minus the proposals, haha). Being the age I am, and still in the single's ward it hit so close to home. So it wasn't hard to feel the way Eliza felt.
  If you like to read, you will love this book. If you like to paint, you will love this book. If you are in a singles ward, you will love this book. If you love to date, you will love this book. Pretty much whoever you are, you should pick up this book!
  So many things happen in this book that It was so hard to put down. I laughed with the character, and cried with the character. So many emotions lie in this one book. Get your hands on it as soon as you can! Keep a look out for some of E.M. Tippets other books. One is called "Time and Eternity" and she will also have a new one coming out in December called "Someone Else's Fairytale".
  I also need to mention that if I go to England anytime soon, I now know how to word things like a proper Englishman. haha

Midnight Whispers/Carol Warburton

Synopsis from back of book:

  "With the loss of her father, Jessamyne Clayborne finds herself without any family, except for her estranged brother Robert, who has long since sought his fortune elsewhere. though nervous, Jessamyne takes passage on the next ship to Australia, hoping to reunite with Robert in the untamed Outback, the wildest of lands.

  But before landfall, a horrific storm sweeps her from the ship, leaving Jessamyne for dead. When the Mckade family finds her and nurses her back to health, Jessamyne is befriended by Brock, their handsome son. In time, Robert is located and she is reunited with her long-lost brother.

  Her reunion with Robert is a bitter mixture of disappointment and dread as she witnesses the unnerving lapses in his character and receives a chilling reception from his wife, Olivia. As she uncovers layer upon layer of intrigue and deceit, Jessamyne soon finds that she must make the heartbreaking decision between her only remaining family and true love."

My Review:

  I have several books from Carol Warburton. I love her style of writing. It has love, compassion, intrigue, fears, betrayal, and suspense!! I recommend you read all of her books! This one so far has got to be my favorite and it was also the first book I read of hers.
  Jessamyne is afraid of horses and for a good reason. But when she is put in a place where horses are a must she has to try and overcome her fear. Thank goodness Brock is around. And not just for his good looks and love of family! These two characters when put together cause electricity! (romantic electricity).
  When she finds her brother Robert, she is put in a situation where she cant trust him. Things take a turn for the worse when she discovers he is not who she thought and that he has kept secrets from not just her but his wife.
  It was easy for me to step into this book and put myself in Jessamyne's shoes and experience all her emotions. She is definitely a woman I would look up too, and would love to be friends with. Not to mention, who wouldn't want Brock???!!! ;)
 

to have or to hold/by Josi S. Kilpack

 Synopsis from back of book:

"Emma has a knack for doing things badly. At eighteen she married her high-school sweetheart just days after graduation. Three years later she's a twenty-one-year-old divorcee with a fifteen-month-old daughter. She moves to Utah with a broken heart and a head full of shattered dreams, hoping to start over. she also tries to find her place in the LDS Church again, but it's easier said then done."

"Andrew Davidson's life is going exactly according to plan. He has the lifestyle he's always wanted and spends his days working hard at his development company and his weekends enjoying the perks of being a rich bachelor. When he learns of a substantial inheritance through the father he never knew, he can't say no. Even if it means he has to marry-something he never planned on."

"When Andrew makes Emma an offer she can't refuse-a marriage of convenience in exchange for a portion of the inheritance-she feels life is taking a turn for the better. She knows everything will be fine so long as she doesn't fall in love with her temporary husband. But as with everything else in Emma's life, things don't go as expected."

My Review:

I got sucked into this book pretty much from the beginning! Emma is working in a nursing home to make ends meat after her divorce, but its not enough. So she finds a weekend job cleaning a rich mans home. She automatically assumes the guy is old. So when Andrew shows up out of the blue and she accidentally walks in on him while he is asleep, she is surprised by his appearance (young and handsome). How embarrasing!!! I could only imagine what I would do if that happened to me!
Andrew being rich, he is a little stuck up and selfish. Never really cared about anyone, accept his mother. Now he has to get married, and stay married for a year before he can receive an inheritance his father put together. So when Emma comes into his life he makes a deal with her. He takes care of her and her daughter financially for the time they are married, and also after the divorce he will pay her a good sum of money. Emma has one rule for him. He cant get together with other girls while they are married. He agrees and is pretty sure he can do it.
Throughout the marriage are so many twists and turns I couldn't put the book down. Will they end up falling in love with each other......or will they divorce and move on with their lives? You wont know unless you read it!
Josi Kilpack is one of my favorite Authors. She puts a lot into her books and keeps you pondering until the very end! Pick up this book and love it as much as I do!

The Birthright, by Loralee Evans

  This book takes place in the time of the famous Captain Moroni in the Book of Mormon. The main Character Miriam is forced to leave her home with the Lamanites when she is but a child with her baby brother tied to her back. Her Grandmother sends her to find the Nephites who will keep her safe from her father. The father who wants to sacrafice her to the Lamanite Gods.
  She eventually meets up with the Nephites when she meets Jacob, who saves her and her brother from a Jaguar attack. Older but not old enough to be a man Jacob and the Nephites he is traveling with find a loving home for Miriam and her brother (whom she names Jacob). Then they say their goodbye's.
  4 years later Miriam's adoptive parents are gone and she is left taking care of her brother again. This leaves her working for Morianton, an evil Nephite. When she refuses to move with him, he beats her. She was able to escape with her brother to a Nephite camp where she runs into Jacob, but they do not recognize each other. He  takes her to Captain Moroni's tent so she can speak to him about some important news on Morianton and his village.
  Meanwhile Jacob recognizes her and see's how much she has changed. While Miriam in her tired state still doesn't know who he is.

  If you want to find out what happens next, go find the book and read it! I promise you will enjoy it! It has Romance, Drama, Action, Friendship, Trust. Everything you could ever want. It has also got some famous people from the Book of Mormon in it, and it feels like you are right beside them during some epic moments.
  I hope this inspires you to start reading this book. It has got to be one of my all time favorites. As you will find out I enjoy reading time period books. So keep a look out!