My Heart Belongs in Niagara Falls, New York: Adele's Journey -- by Amanda Barratt, Guest Review by Andrea Stephens

Journey now to Niagara Falls, New York, of 1870 where...

She avoids danger at all costs. He makes his living by rushing headlong into it.

Outwardly, Adele Linley’s trip to visit her American cousins is nothing more than a summer vacation. In reality, she’s the daughter of an English aristocrat with barely a penny to her name seeking a rich American husband.

Having grown up in an overcrowded orphanage, Drew Dawson is determined to make a name for himself. He’ll take any honest job to provide for his sister—even crossing Niagara Falls by tightrope.

On a sightseeing trip to the Falls, Adele meets several eligible suitors. Incredibly wealthy and pompous, Franklin Conway takes an immediate fancy to her. But Adele would truly like to marry for love. When she encounters the mysterious Drew in the garden, Adele is confused by her feelings for someone who is everything she is NOT looking for. Will they both stay the course they have chosen for themselves?

5 Stars *****

for Amanda Barratt's debut novel!
Guest Review by Andrea Stephens

I've read Amanda Barratt's novellas in various Barbour collections and was pretty sure I would like this book. I did more than just like it, I LOVED it! Full of twists, turns, good and not so good people. No spoilers but there were some things that just blew me away. So many surprises, I could not put my Kindle down!

I've never been to Niagara Falls in person. After reading this book, I feel like I visited there many years ago, seeing different views of the Falls through Drew's eyes and through Adele's eyes.

Andrea's Review

Drew Dawson. He's an honest, caring, trustworthy, hardworking, Godly man. “He believed what he'd said to Hope (his sister), that God would take care of them and everything would be all right. With every bone in his body, he meant it. Though truly, the task before him was one that could only be accomplished with the help of God Almighty.” How can I not love a hero who thinks like that?

Adele Linley is a heroine that tugged at my heart and upset me all at the same time. I found myself talking out loud to her more than once. My husband says I get “a little too involved in reading.” I couldn't help it, I had to tell her “for someone so smart and wanting to do the right thing you certainly are making a bad decision.” She didn't listen though.

I thoroughly enjoyed Amanda Barratt's writing style. One example is, “The memories not only haunted but tormented. Why couldn't she shake free of them? Why must every sensation remain so fresh, like the first second after a handprint is pressed onto clouded glass.”

This quote from the book is so very important to us all. (I can't say where it is or who says it without spoilers)“...it was a beautiful thing indeed to trust that, even if no earthly human remained to comfort, God's presence lingered.” I have tears in my eyes again while typing this. How good it is to know that God's presence lingers. He will hold us, if we let Him. I loved how this message was seamlessly woven into the story.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone. Not just historical Christian fiction readers. It is a very engaging story with many surprises.

Links: Check out all the novelsin the series on the My Heart Belongs series website                

Book Links: My Heart Belongs in Niagara Falls on Amazon 
On Barnes & Noble

Giveaway: We're giving away a copy on OWG blog of Amanda Barratt's new release this week. Leave a comment to enter. 

Novelist Amanda Barratt -- Coping With Anxiety

Novelist Amanda Barratt

Amanda, welcome to Overcoming With God.

Thanks so much for having me today! 

Would you tell us about the one of the most difficult things in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help?

While I absolutely love the word ‘overcome,’ it often carries the connotation of “over and done with.” So often, while we remain pilgrims in this broken world, our struggles are not overcome, as in “shelved,” but overcome day by day, moment by moment, through the tender constancy of our loving Savior. Such is the case with the struggle I’m sharing with you today. Anxiety is something I’ve experienced since my middle school years, and it’s something I still deal with to this day. About six years ago, I went through a period where my anxiety was HUGE. We’d recently moved into a new home, and within a few months of moving, I began to experience health issues—along with an increase in anxiety. This continued for over a year, but it was through this year, more than at any point in my life, that I began to seek and find Jesus like never before. While I believe the Lord didn’t cause my anxiety, He did use it to bring me closer to Him, and though it wasn’t a pleasant thing to experience, I can now look back on that period and see God intended it for good (Gen. 50:20.) The closer I became to Him, the less I focused on my fears, and the greater my trust grew in His power to calm my anxious heart. I remember being on an airplane traveling out of state, clutching the pocket Bible I use while traveling and just reading the Psalms and letting their truths sink within me. To this day, I still have days and weeks where I battle anxiety, but they occur less frequently, and when they do, I can trust that “Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul.”

What passages in the Bible have been most helpful to you in those times? Psalm 91 is so precious to me, and last year I memorized it, so I can recall it, even when I don’t have a Bible. Jeremiah 29:11 is another, as is Isaiah 40:31.

What helped you get through or helped you cope with this difficulty? – Leaning close to God and spending time reading His Word. Also, being able to be raw and open during prayer, approaching His throne not as someone who has it all put together, but as a person who needs His help just to get through day to day. And realizing my limitations and not judging myself for them. People with anxiety always have things that trigger that emotion, and it’s helpful to put in place a coping process before actually being in a situation where you’re forced to confront a trigger. The support of my family was also an immeasurable blessing.

Disability friendliness: Is this latest release available in audio format or do you have any other works available on audio?  Do your e-books have audio capability? Do you have any in large print?  My Heart Belongs in Niagara Falls, New York, will release in large print hardcover format from Thorndike Press in 2018.

In this latest work, do you have any topics useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation?  My characters struggle with trusting God, and what that looks like in difficult situations. Both my hero and heroine go through incredible challenges, but it’s only through those struggles that they are able to go deeper with God. (I’d add more, but I don’t want to give away any spoilers.)

BIO: ECPA bestselling author Amanda Barratt, fell in love with writing in grade school when she wrote her first story – a spinoff of Jane Eyre. Now, Amanda writes inspirational historical romance, penning stories that transport readers to a variety of locales – from the sweeping coastline of Newport, Rhode Island, to the rugged landscape of Central Texas. Her novella, The Truest Heart, finaled in the 2017 FHL Reader’s Choice Awards.

A member of American Christian Fiction Writers, she lives in the woods of Michigan with her fabulous family, who kindly put up with the invisible people she calls characters.

These days, Amanda can be found reading way too many books, watching an eclectic mix of BBC dramas and romantic chick flicks, and trying to figure out a way to get on the first possible flight to England.

Social links:

Amanda’s website Her newsletter Follow her on Amazon

The My Heart Belongs series website                

Book Links: MHBi Niagara Falls on Amazon 
On Barnes & Noble

Question you’d like to ask readers: My novel is set in the beautiful locale of Niagara Falls. Have you ever visited there? If not, what vacation spot have you visited that you have fond memories of?

Giveaway: We're giving away a copy of this brand new novel from Barbour this week! Leave a response to Amanda's question to enter.

Most Eligible Bachelor Collection Review by Carrie Fancett Pagels

The Most Eligible Bachelor Romance Collection

A WINNER!!!

WONDERFUL collection of nine Christian historic romance novellas! The earliest story is set in colonial times and the latests in the early 1900s.

I predict this will become a CBA Bestseller! This is one of the best collections from Barbour I have ever read. This will be on my Best of 2015 list on this blog!

*****

Love's Reward by Susanne Dietze

I absolutely loved this novella by debut author, Susie Dietze, who is also our featured author this week on OWG blog!!! 

When a rather mean-spirited "friend's" ad drives unmarried ladies to pursue talented architect, Daniel Blair, the San Franciscan's life takes a turn. I felt so badly for the young women who believed the advertisement was genuine. Life at the rooming house begins to sour as his landlady tires of the deliveries made by young women to her home. Meanwhile his longtime friend, a sweet and spunky young lady, finally seems to be realizing what a wonderful man Daniel is. Josie is definitely her own woman and a bit avant grade for the times. Her brother is a piece of work.

The scheming behind the scenes was especially well done. Even thought this was a novella, Susanne did a great job of working in the elements of a large architectural contest and also used that to show the competitive nature of various characters. Many characters, and their situations, aren't at all what you think they are. This is the kind of complex and layered novella that I love to read.

Lovely job of showing the whys and the why nots of Josie's and Daniel's relationship. I see Josie as rather adorable and ADHD and when... (never mind--I won't spoil that one scary scene for you!!!)

This was a darling story and Daniel was a sigh-worthy hero! Fantastic debut!

*****

The Highwayman by Shannon McNear

This lovely colonial story features a young wagon master who simply cannot get his tongue to work properly when he is around Long Tall Sally, the daughter of the main innkeeper on the Great Wagon Road in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.  However, she's frustrated by his lack of communication, especially since she has known him for years. Her brothers constantly thrill over the adventures of "The Highwayman" a savior who swoops in and rescues people.  When Sally is rescued from a local miscreant, by the famed masked man, her heart thrills. But she doesn't know the wagon master is the one risking all for her. Shannon was a Rita nominee for her first colonial era novella and this new release is a great read!

Four Brides And A Bachelor by  Gabrielle Meyer

I love this story set in the 1800s in Minnesota. Being from upper Michigan myself, this particularly interested me.  In this novella, the your women teaching in a mission are told they MUST be married to continue in their jobs. One of the teachers was originally supposed to marry a minister from another mission. This eligible bachelor has been summoned forth but doesn't realize that NOW he has four young women to select from, which was decided by the directors of the mission as being most fair.  Very nicely done, especially with the little twist with the father at the end! 

Baker's Dozen by Gina Welborn

I had high expectations of this story, which were fulfilled. As per usual, Gina writes a compelling story which great characterization.  Set in the household of Duke, a wealthy widower whose daughter needs a mother, he has decided to bring in a bevy of young women to find a wife to be mother to his child.  Having grown up in the household,  Irie secretly was in love with Duke before she left for training school. Her mother is employed by his father. Duke's father asks her to help his son find the best woman to be his wife and mother to the granddaughter. This is one of the first stories I have read with a divorced heroine in it, so that was an interesting twist and far overdue. 

A Doctor's Agreement by Cynthia Hickey

I had the privilege of reading this excellent story as a Beta reader but then forgot I'd read it! Cynthia Hickey consistently writes great books and this is no exception. When the newspaper owner's daughter places an ad for a lottery to obtain a spouse for the single physician, she doesn't realize she'll be entered! 

The Final Baker Bride by Kathleen Y'Barbo

Determined that she can prove herself capable of being self-sufficient, heiress Octavia doesn't realize there are many forces at work. She finds a "taxi cab driver" in New Orleans, Merritt Baker who may be the antidote to her marriage avoidance. Charming tale.

The Most Ineligible Bachelor In Town by  Connie Stevens

Turn of the century Kansas is the setting for an unappreciated postmaster's fine traits to finally be noticed. But first it will take a visit from his flashy cousin, supposedly a Pinkerton agent, to have the pastor's daughter finally be able to see who the best man in town is. But when danger comes to town, will they survive to finally express their affection to one another?

"A Bride For A Bargain" by Amanda Barratt

Fired from her lousy job,  Ada McClane calls out to God to help her figure out how to pay for her younger brother's treatment for his lung ailment (t.b.).  Meanwhile the richest bachelor in the city, Geoffrey Buchanan wonders how he can get his mother off his back. The society matron has set up yet another weekend at their posh country home in which she'll parade more single women from the proper "set" in front of him. Geoffrey contracts with Ada to act as his fiance for this event and offers her too much to refuse. But when the farce ends, will Geoffrey be able to leave Ada behind?

Archeologist's Find- by Erica Vetsch

This is the most unique of the stories which made it just a little jarring although it was good.  A wealthy young lady, Ally, is given an ultimatum by her mother to either find herself a husband within three weeks or agree to be courted by someone her parents approve of. Egyptologist and archeologist Max falls for the young art student who has so beautifully captured the essence of his collection. But when he discovers her true identity can their relationship survive?

Giveaway: We're giving away another copy of Most Eligible Bachelor Collection choice of paperback or ebook.

Noela reviews The Most Eligible Bachelor Romance Collection

The Most Eligible Bachelor

The Most Eligible Bachelor Romance Collection

by Nine Various Authors

Barbour Publishing

Reviewed by Noela Nancarrow

5 Stars *****

 A Bride for a Bargain

by Amanda Barratt

The intriguing premise for this story sparked my interest, but the story itself easily held me captive! When excessively wealthy Geoffrey Buchanan finally finds the woman he is to marry, he is determined for it to be a union of love and not a society woman who is only after his money. So when his mother arranges yet another house party with the intent to marry him off to a suitable woman, Geoffrey decides to ask Miss Ada McClane whom he has only just met in Central Park to come along as his fiancée. Finding herself unemployed and with a sick brother to care for, Ada takes up Geoffrey’s offer with the more than generous remuneration. Will this poor working girl measure up to high society’s magnifying glass to pull this masquerade off? And can Geoffrey find the happiness he seeks that his wealth doesn't provide?

The Highwayman by Shannon McNear

Unique, compelling, and exhilarating! Along the Great Wagon Road of lower Shenandoah Valley, Pennsylvania, Samuel Wheeler earned a living as wagon master. The country was on the verge of the American Revolution, and there was much tyranny afoot from both the redcoats and those in their pockets. Sam had taken to donning a mask and masquerading himself as the Highwayman, cracking his whip with perfect precision and helping the cause of freedom. Little did the normally shy and tongue-tied Sam expect to one day be saving the girl of his dreams from some brigands. But in his costume, he found new confidence with Sally. What will happen when she falls in love with his fake persona and where will that leave Sam? What will happen if the authorities or the brigands catch up with this vigilante?

The Final Baker Bride by Kathleen Y’Barbo

Although it was the last novella in this collection, it was by no means the least entertaining! The amusing and vibrant conversations and situations this enticing plot created throughout the story, was just as gratifying as the ending with its surprising twist. The wealthy Octavia Derby doesn’t want to marry and aims to prove to her father that she can take care of herself without his money. Determined to prove it, she accepts an opportunity to work as a typist for a month, although there is the little problem that her typing skills are non-existent. Octavia unknowingly meets her employer Merritt Baker upon arriving in New Orleans, Louisiana, and mistaking him for a taxi-cab driver; she situates herself in his buggy and proceeds to give him orders! The likewise wealthy Merritt Baker of Baker Shipping, is pressured from all sides to marry and is constantly fending off women who are after him only for his money. Can they both serve each other’s needs yet still meet their own?

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These, along with six other engaging novellas in this collection, tell the stories of some extremely eligible bachelors of yesteryear times. These stories by talented authors Erica Vetsch, Cynthia Hickey, Gabrielle Meyer, Connie Stevens, Susanne Dietze, and Gina Wellborn, are ALL thoroughly charming and entertaining! And all captivate the reader’s heart, as the women look for the true worth in these bachelors, and the men seek to marry for all the right reasons. 

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You can purchase 'The Most Eligible Bachelor Collection' at these places and others: Amazon; CBD; Barnes & Noble; BAM 

GIVEAWAY: We're giving away several copies of 'The Most Eligible Bachelor - Romance Collection' this week!!! Leave a comment to enter, and your email if we don't know you. E-book outside of US unless available to you through Book Depository.