Favorite Christian Books

Archive for the ‘Historical’ Category

About the Book

Geraldine Jordan’s lived all her life with an unpleasant disability. She learns the meaning of painful rejection early. Any probability of obtaining a respectable suitor one day to someone like Alistair McKenna the man of her lifetime dreams is slim to none.

When Geraldine is passed off to live with controlling-zealot Uncle Henry, she grows weary of waiting for that impossible dream — until a treasured aunt arranges a potential marriage with esteemed Chicago banker, in search of a wife and mother for his young ward. The disgruntled Uncle Henry whose always believed his niece unsuitable for any man of status, quickly sets out to block the betrothal by demoting Geraldine to status of a common servant, hiring her off to a family in need of a governess.

Will the shattered Geraldine be forced to abandon all hope when she learns her prospective groom-to-be was none other than her life-long love, Alistair McKenna?

My Review

I adored Geraldine and her story. This was a wonderful story of dreams coming true and the importance of seeking wise counsel.

This story begins about 10 years after the first book and Geraldine has grown into a fine young woman. She is saddened by the death of her beloved Great-Aunt. Yet hopeful for the future as her Great-Aunt had arranged a marriage for her, but her Uncle Henry quickly destroys her hopes by informing her that she’s not fit for marriage and he’s arranged for her to be a nanny.

The Geraldine of book one has grown up but she did not grow away from her faith in God. She believes in trusting him and following through with her commitments. She also teaches us about forgiveness. She reminds me of how we should all live, with a childlike faith in God.

Although the ending was predictable, this was a quick read with some interesting incidents and characters along the way that made the story enjoyable.

I’m looking forward to book 3 in this series.

Disclaimer

I would like to thank the author for the opportunity to read and review this book and was under no obligation other than my honest opinion.

From the Cover

Scorned with disgrace, Annabelle Jordan and her daughters are no longer welcome in her reverend uncle’s community. In need of a fresh touch of grace, Annabelle’s in no mood to seek mercy yet. Not after carrying on a youthful affair with that scoundrel of a boyfriend long enough to produce two daughters before she finally sent him away.

Now without a home, Annabelle’s convinced her answer is to find the man again and force that marriage he pledged but never kept. Annabelle knows he can provide her daughters the name, home, security, and future they need. Who else would show interest in a soiled, aging woman over thirty with two growing children?

Clearly, that was before Major Carlton Radcliffe entered her life. How was Annabelle to know she’d fall for someone beyond her reach, loyal to the faith she’s been fleeing and nobly pledged to a wife and family of his own?

My Review

I’ll be the first to admit historical fiction isn’t my first choice in genres but I enjoy trying new books and new authors. So I decided to check this book and Decisions Book Two: That Impossible Dream.
The first thing I noticed about the story was the uniqueness of the main character, Annabelle Jordan. She is a mother of two girls and has never had a husband. She played mistress to a army captain who promised to marry her but she sent him away. Now she’s been shunned by her uncle’s congregation and finds herself traveling with her youngest daughter and the nanny to find her Captain and get him to fulfill his promise. Our primary male character, Major Carlton Radcliffe has his own issues having married a woman outside his faith who leaves him shortly after the wedding with another man. To compound the situation he learns she is pregnant with his child.

This story had some funny moments in this story as well as some touching moments, especially between Major Radcliffe and Annabelle’s youngest daughter, Geraldine. You also see the worst in people in Annabelle’s uncle and his congregation as they basically run Annabelle out of town because of her sins.

I enjoyed the story’s flow and watching the story unfold. There were a couple of things that did surprise me while other things I did expect to happen. The one thing that I did find surprising and know what some may be offended by, is some of the “thoughts” of Annabelle and the Major were very sensual. Almost to the uncomfortable point, however, in reading the second book in the series I think the author wrote the part based on the characters Annabelle and the Major and their previous history.

This was a good story that probably portrays what life was like for Annabelle. I would recommend this to anyone who like historical fiction set in the mid 1800s. As mentioned before some of the story is sensual in nature, but only in thought not in deed. In fact, one of the things I appreciate about Major Radcliffe was his continuous prayers requesting his strength in the face of temptation.

About this Book

From the Land of Fire and Ice back to England’s shores, Alexandria Featherstone finds herself the new Duchess of St. Easton. Her husband has promised a wedding trip to take them to the place where her imperiled parents were last seen — Italy and the marble caves of Carrara — but a powerful Italian duke plots against Alex and her treasure-hunting parents.

Hoping to save them, Alex and Gabriel travel to Italy by balloon. Fraught with danger on all sides and pressured by Gabriel’s affliction to the breaking point, they must learn to work and fight together. The mysterious key is within their grasp, but they have yet to recognize it. This journey will require steadfast faith in God and each other — a risk that will win them everything they want or lose them everything they have.

My Review

I found this a very enjoyable read. The story opens just before Alexandria and Gabriel’s wedding. I found it interesting some of the conversation between Alex and her attendant regarding the wedding night. But it plays into the storyline and a secret that Alex kept from Gabriel. I love the romance and the humor between Alex and Gabriel.

The storyline was different than anything I’ve read before. I enjoyed the adventure aspect of the story as Alex and Gabriel. The author did a great job as she told the story of weaving the characters thoughts and feelings. I enjoyed watching the development of faith in all the characters, but especially Gabriel as he dealt with his affliction.

I was a little surprised by the ending. Not what I expected, but that’s okay it was entertaining.

This is book 3 in a series and I didn’t read the previous ones. I felt fairly comfortable with following the story, though I think I would have enjoyed it even more had I read the others. Still an enjoyable story  and I would read more by this author.

Disclaimer:

I did receive this book from the publisher through www.netgalley.com however, I’m only expected to give my honest opinion.