The Voracious Reader

No Ending!

Revisado: 04-28-20

The text was a little dry, but I was set to rate it higher until the end when nothing was settled.

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Even Better Than the First in the Series

Revisado: 11-13-18

Ellie Ballantyne can’t wait to leave finishing school in Philadelphia and return to her home in Pittsburg. On the way, she encounters a fierce storm and Jack Turlock from the enemy family comes to her rescue. Despite his hard edges and terrible reputation, she senses he’s different from the rest of his family. When she arrives home, her parents are traveling and trouble finds New Hope. Between old expectations, fugitive slaves, and a forbidden love, things are more difficult than Ellie expected.

I loved this book. The narrator often enunciated too precisely, emphasizing each syllable, but she did a good job of handling the Scottish accents when needed. I liked both Jack and Ellie very much, and Eden and Silas were even better than in the first book. I’m looking forward to the third and last book of the series. #Nostalgic #FamilyFeud #PreCivilWar #Heartfelt #HappyEnding

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Ending Left Me with Questions

Revisado: 11-13-18

Because of threats and danger, Rowena Ballantyne’s father had moved to Cane Run, Kentucky, and she grew up there. When he decides to return to Pittsburg, Wren finds her backwoods culture not acceptable to the high society of the Ballantynes, but James Sackett ends up helping her to navigate it all. Yet, danger still persists, and relationships become confusing and complicated. Can a simple woman find the life she wants amid all the glitz, glamour, and intrigue?

I enjoyed this book, but it wasn’t as good as Love’s Awakening. The middle section of the book moved too slowly and included too much that didn't move the story forward. The ending didn't tie up all the loose ends, either. For example: What happened about the Ganare and Nightingale violins? What about Manning (who was gunning for James)? I don't think he would have been one of the henchmen caught, and the book didn’t say. Will James will stay in Scotland when the war comes, and what will Wren do? Still, it was an enjoyable novel that is still better than most. I gave it 4.5, which rounded up to a five.

It appeared to me the series was set up to continue, perhaps with Bennett in California, but this didn't happen. I did feel this one left too much hanging with the whole Ballantyne family to be the last in the series. But since no other one has come out, I wonder if Frantz didn't run out of ideas or get tired of the series herself. #Nostalgic #PreCivilWar #FamilyDrama #Perservance #HappyEnding

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Over Half Repeated the First Book in the Series

Revisado: 11-13-18

The plot from the first two books in the series continues, this time focusing more on Griffin de Arell and Quinton Boursier. Their initial meeting in the book proves contentious as Quinton goes to free her brother she thinks Griffin holds prisoner. But when she realizes her error, she has to admit the attraction they both feel. Can two sworn enemies find something more than they’d ever imagined against all the intrigue and deception?

I really disliked that over half this novel recounted parts of what happened in the first two books in the series, and any extra either didn’t add anything or couldn’t logically have been left out of the others. So this, the third and last book in the series, backs up to begin before the first two. Therefore, it ends up being much too long and drawn-out. And, although I loved Griffin, Quinton was shrewish, prickly, conniving, and extremely selfish at the start. She gave to others only when it seemed to serve her purposes, although she was loyal to her mother and brother. I was very disappointed, because I’m used to Tamara Leigh’s medieval novels being better written than this. It did get better once it got beyond the part that had already happened in the other books. Then it became very good. The first twenty-some chapters should have been reduced to a prologue and the actual novel started with the new material. I gave it 3.5, which rounded up to a four. #MiddleAges #Misunderstandings #MedievalTimes #FamilyIntrigue #HappyEnding

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Mastermind Still Not Revealed

Revisado: 11-13-18

By the king’s decree in an effort to end the feud between three noble families, Thomasin de Arell must wed Baron Magnus Verdun. The baron’s handsome countenance only makes her more insecure. Magnus has always valued his solitude in case the dark moods that often descend on him in the night is revealed, but how does one do that with a willful wife who proves quite captivating? Secrets and intrigue abound, and everyone is not who they appear. Can love grow and survive in such a setting?

The opening was quite confusing at first with too many characters, often with difficult Norman names, and a complicated plot. It did eventually get better, however. I appreciated that the main characters weren’t always at each other’s throat in this one, and the tension came more from the budding attraction between them. The book has an ending of sorts, but again, the mastermind behind all the plotting and evil isn’t revealed, and the reader is expected to get the next one. I hate that about this series. I gave it 4.5, which rounded up to a five. I do love this time period, and Tamara Leigh writes a good story. #Middle Ages #ArrangedMarriage #Heartfelt #MedievalTimes #Mysterious

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Great Insight into Biblical Times

Revisado: 11-13-18

Iddo had watched the destruction of Jerusalem as a child, lost all his family, and been one of the captives taken to Babylon. Miraculously, he’s able to return years later with the first wave of the Jews Cyrus allowed to go back to their homeland. But things are hard for those who return.

Zechariah, Iddo’s twelve-year-old grandson, feels God calling him to go back to Jerusalem with his grandparents, but that means he’ll have to leave his parents. His father refuses to return, preferring to stay in Babylon. Zacky struggles to keep his faith strong, to survive the Samaritan bullies, and to keep his friend from straying into sorcery. Will life always remain so difficult?

I enjoyed the biblical history of this novel, but I wish the romance scenes held more emotion. I know Lynn Austin has done a good job of this in other books, but not so much here. However, I’m glad I chose this one and look forward to the next in the series. #Inspiring #BiblicalTimes #OldTestamentSetting #Babylon #Jerusalem

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Fascinating

Revisado: 11-13-18

This novel chronicles the time of Esther, King Xerxes, and then King Artaxerxes. It covers the horrendous days around the thirteenth of Adar as seen through the eyes of the characters. Ezra is a different kind of hero - brilliant, pious, and hard-lined, but tempered by his caring, understanding wife who knows that God is also a God of love, mercy, and grace. I especially enjoyed Reuben and Amina’s story, but the whole novel was fascinating. #Heartfelt #HappyEnding #Inspiring #BiblicalTimes #OldTestamentSetting

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Outstanding Novel

Revisado: 11-13-18

Jericho Tucker’s mother left the family for a man who could provide her with fancier things, and it left him scarred. When the new dressmaker, moves into town, he’s sure she’ll be a temptation to the women with her bright colors and fancy clothes. He hope his sister has more sense than to be led astray by pretty trappings.

Hannah Richards is excited for the opportunity to have her own dress shop. However, she can’t understand why the livery owner doesn’t like her. When she agrees to help his sister get the man she's interested in to notice her, Jericho’s real animosity comes out. How can she show him pretty things aren’t evil in and of themselves?

I’ve loved all of Karen Witemeyer’s novels, but this just might be the best one yet. If not, it’s very close. These characters are delightful and so well-developed they’ll stay with me for a while. I really hated to see this one end. #Heartfelt #Funny #HappyEnding #American West #ChangingMind

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Story Took Off

Revisado: 11-13-18

Nicole Renard is determined to protect her parents and make sure the Jenkins brothers do not take the Lafitte dagger. However, when her father sends her to New Orleans to find a husband and suitable heir to his shipping business, things don’t turn out as planned. Lack of ready funds finds her as secretary to a man obsessed with making steamboat engines safer. Then, Darius Thornton starts heating up her heart, and with the enemy hot on her trail, the scene is set for an explosion of huge proportions.

I found this novel to have a slower start than most of Karen Witemeyer’s. Until chapter four, I begin to wonder if I’d have to rate a book of hers less than five stars for the first time. And the fact that a single woman from a well-to-do family in 1849 would not have been sent to New Orleans to find a husband without a female chaperone just increased my concern. However, the book took off after that, and I found it hard to put down. It turned out to be just as engaging as all of Karen Witemeyer’s books, and the narrator does a great job, as well, in the audible version. #UnlikelyHero #HappyEnding #FeelGood #Feud #AmericanWest

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Mesmerizing

Revisado: 11-13-18

Nehemiah rose in King Artaxerxes’ court to be a trusted cupbearer, but his heart burns with grief when he learns of the state the holy city of Jerusalem is in, even after the return of the exiles. Obtaining permission from the king to rebuild the wall around the city, Nehemiah returns as the provincial governor. However, he never imagined the dangers and difficulties he would face.

Not only is this a story about Nehemiah but also the people of Judea -- nobles and servants. I found it enthralling, but I was disappointed when it ended with some loose ends. For example, I wanted to know what happened to Aaron, I would have liked for Hannah to have been more than just content in her marriage, and it would have been nice to have seen Dan’s wedding take place. Regardless, however, this whole series has been mesmerizing. #Inspiring #BibleTimes #OldTestamentSetting #Nehemiah

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