In Too Deep by Mary Connealy

Audra doesn't have many options when her good for nothing husband dies. He leaves her penniless so she cannot support herself and their two children. If she had money, perhaps she could return to her father. However, he sold her to her late husband in payment of a debt. She could stay with her stepdaughter, but Julia is a newlywed and Audra does not want to be a burden to her. That is why Audra agrees to marry Ethan even though he doesn't love her and even seems apathetic to the idea.

Ethan's apathy is tested when villains come looking for Audra and the money her late husband stole. The problem is that Audra and Julia have no idea where the money is. This is no time for Audra to grow a back bone, but that is exactly what she attempts to do. Ethan doesn't want to fall in love with Audra since he let down his brother all those years ago. Fear of failing another he loves keeps him hiding behind his grin.

While I did enjoy this book as I do all of Mary Connealy's books, I did grow weary of the cave. The cave itself is a villainous character that should be dispatched or at least minimized. I also feel that this series is somewhat disrespectful to men in the language the women use. However, I would still buy this book and I look forward to the third book in this series.

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group". 



Sixty Acres and a Bride by Regina Jennings

Widowed Rosa and her also widowed mother in law return to Texas after the death of their husbands.  They intend to take over the homestead that was leased while they were in Mexico, but when they arrive they find that the taxes have not been paid and that they owe $160!  What an outrageous amount of money for two women to raise in a short period of time.  Can they do it?  Can they raise enough money to save the ranch and their dreams?

Rosa is such a vibrant character who sticks out like a rose in a bunch of dandelions.  She is very discouraged by the constant blunders that she makes because of her cultural ignorance.  I made me realized how difficult it would be to immigrate and try to fit it.  Rosa is hard working and loving though and that makes up for her many blunders.

Weston is Rosa's cousin in law, he is a widower with a heap of guilt piled on him about the way his wife died.  He feels that he cannot love again because he fears he will be the cause of an other's death again.  However, he was captivated like I was with Rosa's vibrancy.  Yet Rosa herself feels she is unworthy of love.  Can Rosa and Weston get over themselves to find love?  You'll have to read to find out and you will not be sorry that you did!

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group". 

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen

Margaret Macy has lived a life of privilege, but when her stepfather realizes that her mother's estate was not as padded as he expected he turns his eye to Margaret.  She is to inherit a great sum of money on her next birthday.  If he could but get his hands on that money all his financial woes would disappear.  Her stepfather is ruthless, even going so far as to suggest that his chosen 'fiance' rape Margaret in order to secure her cooperation.  The plan is overheard by Margaret and fearing for her safety she dons a disguise and flees with a recently dismissed maid.

What Margaret sees next is a real eye opener to the disparity between classes as she follows her former maid Joan into the slums and relative safety until she can figure out what to do next.  Eventually she ends up being hired as a maid for an estate owned by the Upchurches.  Both of the Upchurch brother Nathaniel and Lewis were former suitors, although it is only Nathaniel whose heart Margaret broke.  Now she must fumble along and learn the meaning of work as she tries to be a maid all the while hiding herself as best she can from the Upchurches.

Margaret has quite the task remaining hidden from Nathaniel and Lewis, but also from their sister Helen.  Everyone knows women are more discerning than men!  Margaret wants to reveal herself to Lewis at first since she feels that he may be her best chance for compassion, yet fear holds her back.  Overtime she realizes that Nathaniel is the man of character, not his playboy brother Lewis.  But can Nathaniel ever forgive her for the cold way that she ended their courtship?

It was entertaining to watch Margaret learn to do all the things that she would have had done for her in the past without any appreciation; such things as dumping the excrement from chamber pots!  She learns humility quickly.  I enjoyed learning about all the tasks that the household staff would take care of for their wealthy employers.  I never knew the extent of what their service would be. 

If Margaret can make it to her birthday and her inheritance unscathed, will she be a different person?  Will she respect those that serve her?  Will she find true love once news of her inheritance become well known?

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".



The Rose of Winslow Street by Elizabeth Camden

Libby is such a beautiful character that I wish I could actually meet her.  I don't think that I would possess even a fraction of her grace if I was to return from vacation to find a foreign family inhabiting my home all the while claiming to have the legal right to do so.  Although Michael is a big brute by first appearance, we soon find out that he is so much more than that.  He is a man who loves his family and is a protector that feels his only option is to move his family to America and into the house that he inherited.  His character is interestingly complex, on one hand he is a rugged brute and on the other he is a gifted perfume maker.  Michael made me think of scent in a way which I'd never thought of before.  He is at times unsophisticated and yet highly educated.  I went from being angered with his behaviour to rooting for him to succeed.  What a feat that the author managed to make him an antagonist and protagonist at the same time.

Libby captivated me at every turn with her kindness and grace.  She epitomizes what it is to love one's enemy.  It intrigued me that her deficiency did not detract from her beauty, but rather it made her all the more likeable.  She must have had quite a struggle growing up in the shadow of such a brilliant, eclectic professor father, yet she prevailed through the grace of God.  I felt her insecurities and dreams and wanted her to be loved for who she was.  It was difficult to discern who I should root for to 'win' the house because both Libby and Michael had my preference at one time. 

This was a beautiful love story with intrigue as well.  Well written and fast paced, this book is a must buy! 

"Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.
Available at your favourite bookseller from Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group".  

Love on the Line by Deeanne Gist

As always, Deeanne has managed to pair history with a great story!  Who would have thought that a telephone operator would make for such an interesting story?  Georgie is a character with a somewhat feminist point of view with a past that shaped her into a fiercely independent woman.  Enter a relentless Texas Ranger who expects a woman to submit to his authority and watch the sparks fly!

All Georgie wants is to live independently and to protect her birds (I thought the author went a little over the top in this area).  I found the ins and outs of the telephone operation quite fascinating as I imagined what it would be like to live in that time where everyone could find out little tidbits by listening on the line. 

Luke brought a lot of upheaval to Georgie's life when he barges in and attempts to take over her domain.  He is undercover trying to infiltrate a notorious gang of train robbers that have long eluded him.  I thought it was interesting that the townspeople were so enamored with the fabled gallantry of the gang leader Frank Comer, yet they disdained the Texas Ranger who was trying to apprehend him.  I wonder if there are parallels in this time and age?

I enjoyed watching the love story of Luke and Georgie unfold as they sorted through their confusion over each other.  This was a fun, fast paced love story with some suspense thrown in for good measure.  I would definitely buy this book and any others Deeanne Gist chooses to write, because I enjoy her novels that much!

*In exchange for my honest opinion, I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House.