The Riverside Maid

Fliss had a hard life. Her Aunt treated her as a maid. Her cousin was abusive and threatened her happiness. Only her Uncle showed any kindness.  

Day to day life at the pub was hard work. Her Uncle loved the pub and tried to protect it at all cost. But Fliss had no idea that she was part of his plan.

This was a very emotional read. Could Fliss ever find complete happiness? 

I can't get enough of historical sagas.  I especially love Annemarie Brear.  She writes wonderful stories.  I finish her books way too fast! Now I have to wait for her next one.

I received this book from Boldwood Books to review.  Thank you, Boldwood for these wonderful stories.

#rararesources

#BoldwoodBooks

#AnnemarieBrear

The Riverside Maid

From rags to riches... but will happiness follow?

Orphaned as a child, Fliss Atkins has spent her life working at her uncle’s pub, The Bay Horse Inn, nestled along the banks of the River Calder. Life has been anything but easy for Fliss. Her aunt is unloving, and her older cousin Gerald is cruel.

Then she meets Oscar Nolan, whose adventurous spirit makes her wonder if there might be more to life beyond the only home she’s known. Could Oscar and his dreams of travel be her chance at a fresh start? The thought is tempting, but leaving her best friends, Lorrie and Meg, and their beloved families behind seems unimaginable.

When tragedy strikes, Fliss is presented with an unexpected opportunity to shape a new life for herself. But will new riches bring her the happiness she longs for, or will it lead to even greater troubles for this riverside maid?

A compelling and emotional read set in Victorian Yorkshire, perfect for fans of Dilly Court and Rosie Godwin.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/RiversideMaid

Author Bio – 

An award winning and Amazon UK best seller, Australian born AnneMarie Brear writes historical novels and modern romances and sometimes the odd short story, too. She has a love of old country houses, travelling, chocolate (except dark chocolate - not a fan), researching historical eras and looking for inspiration for her next book.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: @annemariebrear

Twitter: @annemariebrear

Instagram: @annemariebrear

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/AnneMarieBrearNews

Bookbub profile:https://www.bookbub.com/profile/annemarie-brear

The Peacemaker

Mystery. Lies. Mistrust. Heartbreak. All this and more in the next book of the Mifflin County Series. A page turner, for sure. It appears there will be one more book that will answer all the questions that remain.

I absolutely loved Sarah, the grandmother. She is a prime example of not knowing what your future will hold. She grabbed on to happiness when it came her way which made me extremely happy. 

I really enjoyed the book.  I always love anything Wanda writes. She never disappoints.

I have no idea how Wanda keeps going. She continues to write these delightful stories. Her first published book was in 1997 title A Merry Heart. That is 28 years! What an accomplishment.

#WandasClippityClopClub

Official Bio

New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Wanda E. Brunstetter is one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre. She has written more than 100 books translated in four languages. With over 12 million copies sold, Wanda’s stories consistently earn spots on the nation’s most prestigious bestseller lists and have received numerous awards.

Wanda’s ancestors were part of the Anabaptist faith, and her novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Her books are well-read and trusted by many Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.

When Wanda visits her Amish friends, she finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties. Wanda enjoys photography, ventriloquism, gardening, bird-watching, beachcombing, and spending time with her family. She and her husband, Richard, have been blessed with two grown children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

A Constant Love

Micah was Charlotte's deceased brother's friend. Both Micah and Charlotte suffered devasting losses. Micah couldn't deal with the shame he felt about his father.   Charlotte had regrets about her last conversation with her father. 

Charlotte came from a stubborn father and a strong mother. Her mother kept everything going at home and on the ranch. Thank goodness, she was there for Charlotte and Micah.  She was the backbone of the family and for Micah.

 Of course, included in the story was the nasty and evil attorney that threatened the happiness of all. I wanted to punch him.  

It's amazing how fast rumors spread and untruths are believed. It happens even faster today with all the internet platforms.  

I enjoyed the story and I know you will, too.

I received this book from Celebrate Lit to review.

#blogtour

#CelebrateLit

#TraciePeterson

About the Book

Book: A Constant Love

Author: Tracie Peterson

Genre: Historical Romance

Release date: March 4, 2025

Heartache has left them emotionally desolate, but traces of love and healing could forge a future.

In the wake of a harsh winter, Micah Hamilton and Charlotte Aldrich are grappling with loss and guilt after the disaster that took the lives of their loved ones. Struggling to cope with his grief, Micah abandons his father’s dreams of a prosperous ranch and cuts himself off from the rest of the world.

Charlotte has loved Micah her entire life and is determined not to lose him as well. With her mother’s help, she begins coaxing Micah to live again. Despite their enduring heartache, the affection between them deepens, but just as Charlotte thinks her dreams may come true, a scorned suitor threatens everything she holds dear. Micah and Charlotte must embark on a journey of healing and renewal to build a life founded on faith, hope, and love.

About the Author

Tracie Peterson is the bestselling author of more than 100 novels, both historical and contemporary, with more than 6 million copies sold. She has won the ACFW Lifetime Achievement Award and the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award. Her avid research resonates in her many bestselling series. Tracie and her family make their home in Montana.

More from Tracie

A Constant Love is a book near and dear to my heart. The book deals with tragedy and loss that came about during and after the Great Die-Up—a hideous winter of blizzards and desperately cold temperatures that affected the prairie states and up into the Rockies. Many of the ranchers in the areas were completely wiped out and gave up their ranches when their cattle died off in record numbers.

Ranchers and farmers had dealt with the elements turning against them prior to this, but the winter of 1886–1887 was different. The summer of 1886 had brought about record droughts, and many of the crops had failed. The livestock suffered as the grass died off and feed wasn’t readily available. By November, early and heavy snows started and continued. Temperatures dropped to record lows. In eastern Montana the temperatures were said to drop to  negative 63 degrees Fahrenheit.

In January, a Chinook wind warmed things considerably, melting a lot of the snow. This just made things worse, however, because when the plunging sub-zero temperatures returned, the water froze a thick layer on top of what little grass the animals had been able to dig down to eat. Mass starvation followed, and thousands upon thousands of animals were lost. In reading about the era and all that happened, I came across comments from people that showed the great despair that flooded the states involved. The hopelessness of it all was overwhelming.

During the same time I was researching and mapping out this book, a beloved family member committed suicide. The devastation we felt was overwhelming, and it all seemed to come together with what I had been reading. I felt that deep sadness and despair. I read that some people had taken their lives after that winter. People were at a loss as to what to do, and in that day and age, the church was not always very kind to the families of those who killed themselves. As I prayed about the book I planned to write, I felt compelled to write about suicide and the ripple effect it has on family, friends, and even total strangers. I wanted to share the hope that I found in God’s Word, and A Constant Love was born.

There are times in our lives when we are overwhelmed to the point of despair, when giving up seems far easier than going on. I pray if you ever feel that way, you’ll reach out to someone and talk it through. But I also challenge those who aren’t feeling that way to be observant . . . to care about those around you enough to get in their business when things just don’t seem right. You might very well save a life. As the Bible says, we need to bear one another’s burdens. I hope you’ll keep that in mind as you read A Constant Love.

Blog Stops

Pens Pages & Pulses, March 8

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, March 8

Devoted To Hope, March 9

Allyson Jamison, March 9

Babbling Becky L’s Book Impressions, March 10

Lighthouse Academy Blog, March 11 (Guest Review from Marilyn Ridgway)

Texas Book-aholic, March 11

Locks, Hooks and Books, March 12

Jodie Wolfe, March 12

Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess, March 13

Life on Chickadee Lane, March 14

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, March 14

Stories By Gina, March 15 (Author Interview)

Mary Hake, March 15

Happily Managing a Household of Boys, March 16

Maureen’s Musings, March 16

She Lives To Read, March 17

Books You Can Feel Good About, March 18

For Him and My Family, March 18

Leslie’s Library Escape, March 19

Cover Lover Book Review, March 19

Holly’s Book Corner, March 20

Jeanette’s Thoughts, March 20

lakesidelivingsite, March 21

Pause for Tales, March 21

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Tracie is giving away the grand prize of a $15 Amazon gift card and a copy of the book!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/00adcf54169

A Summer of Discovery

Samantha Price did me a favor.  She continued the stories of the Amish Bonnet Sisters' Series.  It was like a welcome home book. 

Wilma and Ada are still the closest friends.  They have been through a lot together.  

The next generation needs to figure out what they really want in life. Matthew still is single but he appears to have grown up.  It's about time. 

Iris decides to spend the summer with her Amish grandmother. Will she stay?

I really enjoyed the story. I knew the characters and it was a pleasure to read more about them.  As always, Samantha Price leaves you wanting more. What is going to happen next? 

I received this book from the author to review.

About the author

Samantha grew up in the Brethren community and has a deep affinity for the Amish way of life, which she has studied in detail during over a decade of dedicated research. Her stories radiate authenticity and heart, transporting readers into the peaceful and inspiring world of the Amish community. Samantha is also an animal lover. She shares her home with two spoiled dogs and a rescued cat who thinks she's also a dog.

Samantha loves hearing from her readers. Connect to:

SamanthaPriceAuthor dot com

The Dressmakers of London

The title and cover caught my attention.  The words on the pages kept it. 

Sylvia and Izzie were sisters. When Sylvia married, the sisters grew apart. Was it even possible that they could make amends?

I really loved this book. I was genuinely sad when I finished it. I am going to keep watching for future releases of Julia Kelly.

About the author

Julia Kelly is the international bestselling author of historical fiction and historical mystery novels about the extraordinary stories of the past. Her books have been translated into 13 languages. In addition to writing, she’s been an Emmy-nominated producer, journalist, marketing professional, and (for one summer) a tea waitress. Julia has called Los Angeles, Iowa, and New York City home. She now lives in London with her husband.

Robin Lee Hatcher- From This Moment On

Two sweet novellas that capture your heart. I can't pick one over the other as my favorite. 

These stories were just what I needed to read. I had a really hard day and decided to start this. I loved that it was entertaining and heartfelt.  

The first novella is about forgiveness.  Jesse returns to repay the town's kindness. He was pretty much a bad boy but returns as a different man.

The second novella is about not giving up hope that love will find you.

Skye loves what she does but dreams of a future that includes children. Can Grant be the one to fulfill her dreams?

I received these novellas from the author to review.

Robin Lee Hatcher is the best-selling author of over 95 books. Her well-drawn characters and heartwarming stories of faith, courage, and love have earned her both critical acclaim and the devotion of readers. Her numerous awards include the Christy Award, the RITA® Award, Romantic Times Career Achievement Awards for Americana Romance and for Inspirational Fiction, the Carol Award, and Lifetime Achievement Awards from both Romance Writers of America® (2001) and American Christian Fiction Writers (2014). When not writing, Robin enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful Idaho outdoors, Bible art journaling, reading books that make her cry, watching romantic movies, knitting, and decorative planning. A mother and grandmother, Robin makes her home on the outskirts of Boise, sharing it with a demanding Papillon dog. Learn more about Robin and her books and subscribe to her newsletter on her website at robinleehatcher.com 

The Pick-Pocket's Return

I just completed a wonderful series by Lindsey Hutchinson.   I accidentally found her first book and loved it.  Fortunately, I have been able to read the previous other two. The first was The Pick-Pocket Orphans where we are introduced to Alice and B.J. 

The second installment was the Pick-Pocket's Plight.

 And then this book.

I loved all three books. I had the pleasure of enjoying these characters as they grew up and became adults.  Both had  rough childhoods but it didn't stop them from becoming good and caring individuals.

Their relationships were wonderful to read. Their friends became family. I was anxious to see how this ended.  I was not disappointed.  

I have become a Lindsey Hutchinson fan for life. 

Great book.

I received this book from Boldwood to review. 

#blogtour

#rararesources

The Pick-Pocket's Return

Abandoned, penniless and orphaned as young children, Bertram and Alice saved each other from a terrible fate.

For seven long years they have been kept apart, Bertram, BJ to his friends, learning how to survive and then thrive in the penal colonies of Australia, and Alice growing her prosperous chain of bakeries in the Black Country town of Wednesbury.

Now BJ’s sentence is nearly up and he has a choice to make. Queen Victoria’s England has changed since he’s been away and so has Alice. Should he leave behind the life he’s built and face the terrifying, months-long voyage back home?

The memory of the boy who saved her from starvation by teaching her how to pick pockets has sustained Alice for all these years and now he may be coming back to her. Can Alice and BJ finally get their happy ending or does fate have other plans for the pickpocket orphans?

The Queen of Black Country sagas is back with an unforgettable story of friendship and bravery, heartbreak and joy. Perfect for all fans of Katie Flynn, Val Wood and Lyn Andrews.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/PickPocketsReturn

Author Bio – 

I was born and raised in Wednesbury, West Midlands. I have two children and three grandchildren. I now live in the Shropshire countryside. Typing up the manuscripts for my mother (Meg Hutchinson) rekindled my love of story telling and it seems I am destined to follow in her footsteps. Retired now, I continue to teach an evening dance class. I love to read, I enjoy photography, as well as socialising with friends. I also love to holiday in exotic places. I have been fortunate enough to visit Egypt, Turkey, Greece, Russia, China, India, Israel and Thailand.

I feel truly blessed to have books published. 

Social Media Links – 

Facebook: @lindsey-hutchinson--1781901985422852 (https://www.facebook.com/share/1Ak7andSTY/?mibextid=wwXIfr) 

Twitter: @LHutchAuthor

Instagram: N/A

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/LindseyHutchinsonNews

Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lindsey-hutchinson

A Fresh Start for the Country Nurse

Okay. Raise your hand if you love Call The Midwife or All Creatures Great and Small on PBS!  I love both these shows.  This book is based in a small village about a nurse who happens also to be a midwife. She recently moved to the country after an unfortunate accident.

Right off, Lara Flynn delivers a baby. A baby cow!  

Lara does have her ups and downs while trying to find her place in this new village.

I enjoyed the story and hope to find out more about Lara in the future.

I received this book from Boldwood to review.

#blogtour

#rararesources

#BoldwoodBooks

A Fresh Start for the Country Nurse

Call the Midwife meets All Creatures Great and Small in this first of a heart-warming series about a country nurse and midwife.

July, 1936

After an unexpected heartbreak and a nasty accident on a busy Liverpool street, Lara Flynn is desperate to start afresh and leave painful memories behind her. She takes on a new job as a district nurse and midwife at a country practice, in the remote Lancashire village of Ingleside.

But instead of the friendly rural idyll she pictures, Lara finds she must cycle vast distances to visit locals who harbour an innate suspicion of a newcomer from the city – as well as dealing with unpredictable livestock, an erratic senior doctor and often challenging medical cases. She also rubs up against handsome local vet, Leo, when she helps to deliver a calf!

With time, Lara learns that healing is a two-way street: just as she helps her patients recover from illness and injury, her new life in Ingleside starts to heal her own wounds. But will this tight-knit farming community ever truly take this city girl to its heart?

An absorbing story of compassion, resilience and the power of community, perfect for fans of Donna Douglas and Jean Fullerton.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/afreshstartbook

Author Bio – 

Kate Eastham trained as a nurse in the late 1970s and enjoyed a long career before a change in circumstance meant that she needed to be a full time carer for her partner. Determined to make the most of this new role ‘working from home’ she cleared a space at the kitchen table for a pile of books and a writing pad and started to make notes on the history of nursing. Inspired by the achievements of Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole during the Crimean War she was also captured by the sheer grit and determination of other 'ordinary women' whose voices from the past are seldom heard. An idea for a novel was born and her first book, ‘Miss Nightingale’s Nurses’, was published by Penguin in 2018, closely followed by three more in the series.

Having thought that she would never find anything to replace the work in nursing that she loved, she is now equally immersed in her writing, drawing on years of experience and the stories told by so many patients. With her passion for history, Kate aims to continue making visible the lives of ordinary yet extraordinary women from the past.

She is currently writing for Boldwood Books and the first in her brand new Country Nurse series will be published in March 2025.

Social Media Links –  

Twitter: @eastham_kate

Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/KateEasthamNews

His Unforgettable Bride

Juliet is not one you could easily forget.  She was a beauty, inside and out.  Trouble was always appeared at her doorstep. She desperately wanted a safe home. Unexpectedly, she found herself employed by two society sisters.  

At first, she wasn't sure what they expected from her. She was treated well by them but she soon learned she was a project for them.  She became a student of their etiquette classes. They were going to make her a lady.  Was that even possible?

More changes were to come to her when she found an injured man in the nearby bushes. Who was he? What happened? How did he land up there?  Even the injured man had no answers.

Juliet was in for a big surprise when the man remembered started to  remember.

I enjoyed reading this last Bride Ship book by Jody Hedlund. The characters are believable and likeable.  Well, there were a few characters  in this book whom I didn't like. Lol!

You can't go wrong when you pick up a Jody Hedlund book.  Entertaining. A page turner. A great way to spend a few hours. 

#blogtour

#JodyHedlund

About the author

Jody Hedlund is the best-selling author of over fifty books and is the winner of numerous awards. She writes sweet, clean historical romances with plenty of sizzle (but without the spice).

About the author

Patti Stockdale writes sweet romance full of hope, history, and a good happily ever after.

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The Great Western Railway Girls

World War II gave women the opportunities to work in what would be typically called "man" jobs. Catherine wanted to do more at the factory then just being a clerk. She got her wish and met some amazing friends. But she needed to keep her true identity a secret. 

Lily, Maggie, Violet and Catherine became the The Great Western Railway Girls.  Each young woman had a story to tell.  Each had a hardship to bear. Their stories are what made this book so entertaining.

This is my introduction to the author, Jane Lark. I really enjoyed getting to know these characters. It must have been so very difficult to carry on with day to day life when loved ones were sent to war. The future is unknown. When the men returned, the women that were left behind also changed.

A powerful story. I loved it.

I received this book to review from Boldwood Books.

#blogtour

#rararesources

#JaneLark

The Great Western Railway Girls

A BRAND NEW, enthralling WWII industry saga, perfect for fans of Nancy Revell and Maisie Thomas.

September, 1939.

When war is declared, Lily sees an opportunity to escape her domineering father: she will join the Great Western Railway factory to win her financial independence and move out of home.

Maggie doesn’t want to simply follow in her sisters’ footsteps and work in the laundries at the GWR. So, when the chance comes to volunteer for men’s work in the machine shop, she’s the first to raise her hand.

Catherine, a clerk in the GWR office, has been helping with London’s evacuation efforts, organising trains to move children out of the city. But when her task is completed, will she defy her family and fiancé’s wishes and sign up for a more dangerous role?

Taking on demanding new duties, Lily, Maggie and Catherine – and others – develop an unexpectedly close bond.

But will friendship be enough to carry them through the ups and downs of life at war?

The first instalment in a brilliant new wartime series set in Swindon's Great Western Railway works.

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/RailwayGirls

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: @Janelarkauthor

Twitter: @JaneLark 

Instagram: jane.lark

Bookbub profile: @janelark

Jane Lark is an internationally bestselling author of both historical fiction and psychological thrillers. She has twice been shortlisted for the RNA Awards. The first in her new wartime saga series, The Great Western Railway Girls, will be published in February 2025.

Robin Hatcher- To Capture A Mountain Man

Have you ever visited Yellowstone National Park?  Or the Tetons.  I have. It is unforgettable. The views are spectacular . Words can not describe how you feel when you get a glimpse of the wildlife: the excitement the first time you can see and feel the buffalo walk by just inches from your car. The sights and sounds are overwhelming. So I totally get why Amanda wanted a chance to explore. This was her only opportunity.

But she never expected what would happen when she left the tour group behind.  Isaiah didn't hesitate to come to her aid.

Amanda was a Lady born and bred. She knew what was expected of her. She was to be married to a man of not her choosing.  She didn't want to be controlled.  That's not the life she wanted.  

The romance of Amanda and Isaiah couldn't be avoided. There was attraction from the start. But was there any chance that he could leave his home and go to England with her?  Could she give up all that she knows to live in the Wilderness of Montana?

This novella is part of a series called The British are Coming.  I have had the chance to read the prior books.  I enjoyed the story and the spectacular location the book was based in.  I know you would too.  

I received this to review from the author.

#blogtour

#RobinLeeHatcher

Best-selling novelist Robin Lee Hatcher is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. She discovered her vocation after many years of reading everything she could put her hands on, including the backs of cereal boxes and ketchup bottles.

After fifteen years writing for the general fiction market and a change in her own heart, Robin began to write stories that included her Christian faith and values.

Winner of the Christy, the RITA, the Carol, the Inspirational Reader’s Choice, and many other awards, she is also a recipient of the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award from both Romance Writers of American (2001) and American Christian Fiction Writers (2014). Robin is the author of over 90 novels and novellas.

A lifelong Idahoan, Robin enjoys being with her family, spending time in the beautiful outdoors, reading books that make her cry, and watching romantic movies. Hobbies include Bible art journaling, decorative planning and knitting. She makes her home on the outskirts of Boise, sharing it with a demanding Papillon dog named Boo.