Book Review: The Patriot Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse

The Daughters of the Mayflower series continues with this next exciting installment, The Patriot Bride by Kimberley Woodhouse.

Faith Lytton Jackson is a friend of George Washington and staunch supporter of the Patriot cause. Living in Boston, she is holding meetings with like-minded women when the British invade. Little does she know that when she agrees to help the cause in a more meaningful--and dangerous--way, she will meet someone who makes her think she could love again.

Matthew Weber is friends with Ben Franklin and his son William, which makes him privy to information on both sides of the conflict. Acting as a spy, Matthew meets his messenger, Faith, and is quickly taken with her.

What will these two people sacrifice for the sake of their fledgling country? Can they find love despite the conflict?

The Patriot Bride is my favorite of the series so far. Woodhouse brings her masterful storytelling back for the fourth book set between 1774 and 1775 when the First Continental Congress has already met but prior to the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. She brought her characters to life against the backdrop of a war that would change everything for the Colonies as the people tired of being ruled from across the pond. Next to the Civil War, this is my favorite time in American history, so it was a thrill to read this novel.

As with the other books in The Daughters of the Mayflower series, the main character is a strong, independent woman who defies conventions in one way or another. The pace of the novel is closer to romantic suspense than the typical romance novel, which may entice different readers. It does, however, stay true to its romance genre as the reader watches Faith and Matthew's relationship unfold. I must applaud the author for creating such fascinating ties for her characters to two of America's Founding Fathers. It's really quite clever.

With every book The Daughters of the Mayflower series gets better. History, faith, romance and adventure are the perfect combination. You can read only The Patriot Bride, but I encourage you to start at the beginning and go from there. You won't be disappointed.

Series: Daughters of the Mayflower (Book 4)
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Barbour Books; Gld edition (August 1, 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1683226062
ISBN-13: 978-1683226062

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Guest Post: My Spring Reading Habits by Jill Kemerer, Author of Her Small-Town Romance

Thrilled to have author Jill Kemerer with us today. Jill and I met at the Books & Such blog, the blog of Books & Such Literary Management.

Cozy Lake Endwell, Michigan, seems the perfect place for Jade Emerson's new T-shirt shop—and perhaps a fresh start. After a lifetime of letdowns, she is finally ready to face the future on her own. So when local wilderness guide Bryan Sheffield offers to help Jade overcome a past trauma, she warns him they will remain strictly business. But soon, with the help of Bryan's big, complicated family and a boisterous St. Bernard named Teeny, Jade's frozen heart begins to thaw. Now Jade wonders if she can return the favor, bringing a little happiness to a man who has long kept his own sorrow under wraps…

Interested in purchasing Her Small-Town Romance? Purchase links available at http://jillkemerer.com/books/her-small-town-romance/.

My Spring Reading Habits by Jill Kemerer

I’m a seasonal reader. Well, let me rephrase that. I read all year, but my habits change with each season. When spring comes around, I want my nonfiction helpful, bright and optimistic, and I want my fiction fun, light and romantic.

In the winter I gravitate toward cookbooks with comfort foods or thick biographies, but in the spring I’m all about tea parties, birds and gardening. I also have three Love Inspired contemporary romances on my nightstand!

Spring is the perfect time to fantasize about road trips. Maine, Vermont, the Grand Canyon, Napa Valley, Wyoming, Mackinac Island, anywhere in Virginia—I check out books so I can dream about them.

Will you catch me reading a Christmas novel in the spring? Highly doubtful. What about a much-talked-about critical favorite novel with a reputation for being sad or disturbing? Maybe in the fall. Maybe not. I just know I won’t be reading it in the spring!

Here are a few goodies on my current list:

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen

The phrase art of stress-free gets me every time. Plus, I like books that motivate me to get more done. Win-win!

Her One and Only by Becky Wade.

I am SO excited for Becky Wade’s new novel! This is the fourth book in the Porter Family Novel series, and I’m more than ready for it. Becky writes contemporary Christian romance, and her books are heartwarming, funny and amazing. I could go on and on!

The Coast of Maine by Carl Heilman II

This is a photography book, and oh, the beauty! If I can’t go to Maine in person, I can at least go there in my dreams.

What are your reading? Do your habits change with the seasons?

Thank you, Cheryl, for letting me be your guest today!

Jill Kemerer writes Christian romance novels with love, humor and faith for Harlequin Love Inspired. Jill loves coffee, M&Ms, fluffy animals, magazines and her hilarious family. Visit her website, jillkemerer.com, and connect with Jill on Facebook, Twitter and sign up for her Newsletter!

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorJillKemerer

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/jillkemerer

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/f3YzL

Kindle Freebie: Dawn's Prelude by Tracie Peterson

Newly widowed Lydia Sellers discovers that through an unforeseen fluke, she is the sole recipient of her husband's fortune. But instead of granting her security, it only causes strife as her adult stepchildren battle to regain the inheritance for themselves. Lydia, longing to put the memories of her painful marriage behind her, determines to travel to Alaska to join her aunt.

Lydia's arrival in Sitka, however, brings two things she didn't expect. One is the acquaintance of Kjell Bjorklund, the handsome owner of the sawmill. Second is the discovery that she is pregnant with her dead husband's child. What will this mean for her budding relationship with Kjell? And what lengths will her stepchildren go to reclaim their father's fortune? Lydia soon finds her life--and that of her child's--on the line.

File Size: 486 KB
Print Length: 339 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0764201514
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (September 1, 2009)
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
Language: English
ASIN: B00B5J4R2C


Purchase here!

Amazon VINE Review Posted: Lonestar Angel by Colleen Coble

I am a member of Amazon's VINE program, which allows me to review a few products each month. Unfortunately, I feel behind, but now that I am playing catch up, I was able to make room to review Lonestar Angel by Colleen Coble. Here is an excerpt from that review:

"Having read Coble's The Lightkeeper's Daughter, I thought I would give her Lonestar series a try. In this stand alone novel, we find a young couple torn apart by the loss of their daughter after she is kidnapped and thought to be drowned. Clay has never given up on finding his daughter, even though the tragedy meant the end of his marriage to Eden. When Clay receives an anonymous picture of what is supposed to be one of his daughter at the Bluebird Ranch, they decide to pose as a married couple to obtain jobs as counselors. The past and the present collide as Eden fights her rekindled feelings toward Clay and demons from their past put all of them at risk."

To read the entire review, please visit https://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/A3K6FXL68M7IED?ie=UTF8&ref_=cm_cr_pr_pdp

This is the 3rd book I've read for the following challenge:

Book Spotlight: Right to Bragg by Tanya Hanson

Disowned by her family, Tiffany Vickers faces a lonely Christmas and takes great comfort in the baby boy in her care. Her faith in tatters, she guards her heart against the baby's uncle, handsome cowboy Bragg Martin, a man with baggage of his own. While Bragg longs to open his heart and family to the lovely nanny, he doesn't understand her interest in his arch enemy. Saving a man's life and saving Tiffany's faith bring the couple together…and home to Hearts Crossing Ranch.

Read an excerpt!

Tiffany got up for another cup of coffee, Matty’s eyes watching her every move.

“He sure notices you,” Bragg remarked as the baby drained the bottle.

“Yeah. We bonded right off. I’m so glad about it.” As she’d made a snap decision just then, she rushed on. “I left behind my precious nephew. I guess in my psyche somewhere I figured maybe nanny to Matty might help ease that hole in my heart.” Gently she rubbed her hand over Matty’s head, the edge of her hand tugging at Bragg’s shirt and causing a funny havoc. Mostly though he listened to her pain.

She sank back down into a kitchen chair, resting her cheek in her hand. “I was with Connor from the moment he was born. Paul and Diana wanted me there. Then things went haywire. It was my fault. You talk about forgiveness, but there isn’t any in this case. And I miss that little boy. Oh, I miss him so. I need him. His love was unconditional, you know. He’s three now. I can’t let him forget me.”

Bragg’s heart tugged at the agony on her face, and Matty’s little hand flailed. Tiffany took it at once. “It can’t be that bad, can it?”

“I’ve been disowned, so, yeah, Bragg. It’s that bad.”

PURCHASE RIGHT TO BRAGG AT PELICAN BOOK GROUP  AND AMAZON!

Tanya Hanson is a California beach girl who love her cowboys. A former high school English teacher, she loves traveling with her firefighter hubby when she’s not working on her eight-book Hearts Crossing Ranch series. The two recently returned from a fantastic tour of the East Coast just in time to welcome their daughter’s first child, their second grandson. Their son’s little boy stole Tanya’s heart upon his arrival four years ago. God is good.

Visit Tanya online at:


www.petticoatsandpistols.com


www.tanyahanson.com


https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tanya-Hanson-author/221563541211944?sk=wall