The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen

Back Cover:

To escape a scheme to marry her off to a dishonorable man, Margaret Macy flees London disguised as a housemaid. If she can remain unwed until her next birthday, she will receive an inheritance, and with it, sweet independence. But she never planned on actually working as a servant. And certainly not in the home of Nathaniel and Lewis Upchurch--both former suitors.

As she fumbles through the first real work of her life, Margaret struggles to keep her identity secret when suspicions arise and prying eyes visit Fairbourne Hall. Can she avoid a trap meant to force her from hiding?

Brimming with romance and danger, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall takes readers inside the fascinating belowstairs world of a 19th-century English manor, where appearances can be deceiving.

Review:

The Maid of Fairbourne Hall was an enjoyable, historical, romantic novel. A little obvious at times, (as almost all chick-lit books are) but still lovely story.

The story is kind of a reverse-Cinderella story. The beautiful heroine has run away from her family, her wealthy life style to become someone she is not – a servant in her former beau’s household (who just happens to be the hero of the story). I always enjoy reading a book or watching a movie where the rich must do the tedious work of the middle-man, and then of course returns to their former way of life with a whole new outlook. I almost enjoy it more than a Cinderella- rags to riches – story, because the hero or heroine always learns something valuable. In The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, Margaret learns how she misjudged people and the folly of her pride.

Julie Klassen has done an excellent job on the historical setting. I extremely enjoyed the quotes at the beginning of each chapter – from magazines, books or newpapers from that time period. Klassen isn’t just making this stuff up as she goes along. In some way, shape or form, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall shows how the people of that time actually lived.

Julie Klassen is an amazing writer. Like many of her other books, I really enjoyed reading The Maid of Fairbourne Hall. The history, romance, and Jane Austen influence mixes together delightfully in this book, making it a keeper on my bookshelf.

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 Captive Heart by Dale Cramer

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Ravaged by disease, preyed upon by ruthless bandits, the Bender family's second year in Mexico has taken a grievous turn. Faced with impossible choices, the expatriate Amish discover, more than ever before, what it means to live by faith and not by sight

But it's Miriam who must make the hardest choice as her heart takes her on a new and dangerous course. Domingo. "He is gentle," his sister said, "until someone he loves is threatened." Is Miriam that someone?

"Cualnezqui," he often calls her--the Nahuatl word for Beautiful one. The chiseled native has proven himself a man of principle, grace and power, yet is he the pearl of great price for whom Miriam would sacrifice everything, or is he merely a friend? Tormented by conflicting emotions, she's haunted by vivid dreams: Dressed in the coarse cotton pants and shirt of a peasant, she stands on the precipice of a sun-washed ridge searching desperately for Domingo. Domingo the fierce. Domingo the protector.

Domingo the forbidden.

Review:

When I saw Dale Cramer had released the second in “The Daughters of Caleb Bender” series, I could not wait to read it. The Captive Heart did not let me down. I read it in one day – not that I didn’t have anything else to do (I really did actually), but because the story was so excellent. Dale Cramer has done an outstanding job on this book.

The great thing about a series is the continuing character development. New things are discovered about each character, especially about Miriam, the heroine, and the mysterious Domingo, the Mexican who has captured Miriam’s heart.

I really enjoyed learning about the Amish customs, and how their faith and religion means so much to them. It affects the day to day way they live, the way they face and fight the rebels in Mexico, and who they spend the rest of their lives with. I may not agree with everything the Amish do, but I really admire how their live their faith.

I can’t wait till the next book in the series. The Bender family has come to a cross-road at the end of the book and I am excited to see what will happen next.

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.

Valley of Dreams by Lauraine Snelling

Back Cover:

Cassie Lockwood's mother died when she was little, so Cassie traveled with her father's Wild West Show and became an amazingly skillful trick rider, likened by some to the famous Annie Oakley. When her father died, she continued to work with the show, having nowhere else to go.

Now Cassie has discovered that "Uncle" Jason, the show's manager, has driven the show into debt, and he's absconded with what little money was left. Devastated, Cassie decides to try to find the hidden valley where her father had dreamed of putting down roots. She has only one clue. She needs to find three huge stones that look like fingers raised on a giant hand.

With Chief, a Sioux Indian who's been with the show for twenty years, and Micah, the head wrangler, she leaves both the show and a bundle of heartache behind, and begins a wild and daring adventure.

Review:

Lauraine Snelling did a great job on her book, Valley of Dreams. As the first in her Wild West Wind series, Snelling definitely drew me into her story and left me wanting more.

The book has two plot lines: one about Cassie Lockwood searching for her father’s dream valley, and another about Ransom Engstrom and his family worrying about paying the bills. Snelling did a fantastic job keeping the two separate plot lines interesting, as well as keeping the reader wondering how the two stories will connect.

The characters were a great part of the story. The continuing development of each character was wonderful to read. I kept wanting to know more about each character, and the author revealed just enough through the story to keep the reader engaged.

It was interesting to read about the hardships Cassie had to face, even though the problems Cassie faced where somewhat unrealistic, since she lived a very sheltered life before her adventure began.

I was pleased the book overall, and am definitely looking forward to Lauraine Snelling’s next installment in the Wild West Wind 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.