Romance Fiction Review: Make You Feel My Love by Robin Lee Hatcher

Book Description:
One broken woman. One lost man. And the long-buried secrets tying them together.

After escaping an abusive relationship, Chelsea Spencer flees to Chickadee Creek—the town where her great aunt Rosemary owns a quaint little antique shop. There, Chelsea plans to help with the shop as her aunt heals from an accident—and perhaps find some healing of her own.

Liam Chandler was one film away from a leading role when his brother Jacob was stricken with cancer. After spending the last months of Jacob’s life with him in Boise, Liam heads to the vacation home he built outside of Chickadee Creek to get his life and his faith back on track.

While working to clean out a storage room in the antique shop, Chelsea finds an old violin. Aunt Rosemary says she may have the instrument, but they soon learn it is very valuable and once belonged to Cora Chandler, Liam’s great-great-grandmother.

Drawn together by the old violin and stories from the past, Chelsea and Liam begin to find answers for their present and the future God has in store for them.

My Thoughts:
Robin Lee Hatcher, a talented story teller, has written a beautiful story of hope. Chelsea left behind an abusive boyfriend. Liam is healing from family wounds. Both characters prefer to hide instead of opening themselves up to more hurt. A violin connects them to the past and a woman named Cora, who longed for a new beginning. I loved reading Cora’s story as she set out on her own in the 1800s. Hatcher sprinkles Chelsea and Liam’s heart wrenching stories with encouragement and weaves in Bible verses filled with wisdom. I hope this story is read by anyone who feels lost or overwhelmed by a difficult situation, because the reader can gain confidence and know God offers peace and joy. If you enjoy stories set in small towns, with good characters or stories that point to a better way, read Make You Feel My Love. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Historical Fiction Review: Nothing Short of Wondrous (American Wonders Collection Book #2) by Regina Scott

Book Description:
It is 1886, and the government has given the US Cavalry control of Yellowstone. For widowed hotelier Kate Tremaine, the change is a welcome one. She knows every inch of her wilderness home like the back of her hand and wants to see it protected from poachers and vandals.

Refused a guide by Congress, Lieutenant William Prescott must enlist Kate's aid to help him navigate the sprawling park and track down the troublemakers. But a secret from his past makes him wary of the tender feelings the capable and comely widow raises in him. As they work together to protect the park and stand firm through injustice and tragedy, they may just find that two wounded hearts can share one powerful love when God is in control.

My Review:
Nothing Short of Wondrous is a delight to read. The Yellowstone Park setting drew me to this story. Regina Scott's writing made me feel like I was hiking through the park and seeing all the amazing geysers and paint pots. I love Kate Tremaine's spunk and determination as she fights to protect her home and the park. Her son, Danny, is a sweet boy ready to defend his beloved buffalo. I adored the lieutenant and his story, as well as the quirky men in his troop. The guests and staff at the hotel are interesting and add humor to the story. As I read I craved a piece of Alberta's pie! If you enjoy historical fiction and nature this is a perfect combination. Regina Scott is such a good author. She presents the history with accuracy and leaves the reader satisfied. I've enjoyed both of the American Wonders books, A Distance too Grand and Nothing Short of Wondrous. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Historical Fiction Book Review: Out of the Embers (Mesquite Springs Book #1) by Amanda Cabot

Book Description:

Ten years after her parents were killed, Evelyn Radcliffe is once more homeless. The orphanage that was her refuge and later her workplace has burned to the ground, and only she and a young orphan girl have escaped. Convinced this must be related to her parents' murders, Evelyn flees with the girl to Mesquite Springs in the Texas Hill Country and finds refuge in the home of Wyatt Clark, a talented horse rancher whose plans don't include a family of his own.

At first, Evelyn is a distraction. But when it becomes clear that trouble has followed her to Mesquite Springs, she becomes a full-blown disruption. Can Wyatt keep her safe from the man who wants her dead? And will his own plans become collateral damage?

Suspenseful and sweetly romantic, Out of the Embers is the first in a new series that invites you to the Texas Hill Country in the 1850s, when the West was wild, the men were noble, and the women were strong.

My Review:
I enjoyed reading this story set in the western world of early America. Evelyn is a strong woman determined to survive. She's taken on a little girl who is her perfect side kick. Wyatt is the quintessential cowboy, with a love for his horses, but a restless spirit. The town Evelyn lands in is one where the folks are friendly and fierce in their loyalty. What I liked the most was the twist at the end, when some secrets are revealed. I won't give that away, but I will say Amanda Cabot did a great job writing and weaving in the stories of the characters. Enjoy this book with a cup of coffee and a piece of pie. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.